9.1 - Defining Development
The concept of development and its key strands
Development refers to the process of change that impacts countries and their populations. It encompasses progress across various areas, enhancing a nation's overall status and independence.
Development spans multiple interconnected dimensions
Development is not limited to a single aspect but spans several interconnected fields or strands. The most important strand is economic development, which provides the power that drives progress in all other development strands. Economic development comes from the exploitation of resources and also requires capital, technology, and enterprising people and good government.
The other strands of development fall into five groups:
| Group | Development Strand |
|---|---|
| Economic | - Employment - Ensuring job security and fair pay levels - Standard of living - Improving basic living conditions - Productivity - Efficient use of resources and workforce |
| Demographic | - Life expectancy - Increasing through better health services and nutrition - Birth control - Access to family planning choices - Mobility - Freedom to move and relocate |
| Social | - Welfare - Availability of essential services - Equal opportunities - Fair access for all - Quality of life - Overall improvement in living standards |
| Cultural | - Education - Universal access to learning - Heritage - Preserving cultural history - Ethnicity - Promoting mutual respect among diverse groups |
| Political | - Right to vote - Ensuring participation in governance - Democratic government - Fair and regular elections - Freedom of speech - Protecting individual expression |
| Environmental | - Pollution - Implementing effective controls - Conservation - Protecting biodiversity and resources - Ecological footprint - Reducing environmental impact |
Progress in these strands collectively indicates a country's development, often reflected in improved living standards, longer life expectancy, expanded welfare services, stronger democratic practices, and greater environmental awareness.
The role of economic development in driving progress
Economic development is considered the central force behind overall development, acting as the engine that powers advancements in other strands. It stems from the utilisation of resources and is influenced by both internal and external factors.
Key drivers of economic development
- Resources as the foundation - These include natural resources (such as soils, climate, and minerals) and human resources (such as enterprising business people, capital, labour, and technology). Human resources exploit natural resources and, in doing so, provide the drive behind economic development.
- Internal boosters within a country - These come from within the individual country and include government intervention, national ambition, and the growth of a business culture.
- External boosters from global influences - These come from outside the individual country and include the growth of the global economy that creates opportunities for countries to prosper. Other boosters include key players in the global economy such as the transnational corporations (TNCs) and various international agencies and organisations.
Outcomes of economic development
Economic development leads to several significant changes within a country, including:
- Shifts in employment sectors
- Higher productivity
- Spatial inequalities (disparities)
- Social change
- Greater mobility
- Rising living standards
- Better quality of life
- Environmental impacts
- Cultural signature
- More democracy
The definition and components of human welfare
Human welfare describes the overall state of a population or society, often equated with terms like well-being or standard of living. It is a complex, multi-dimensional concept that is challenging to define precisely. Most people prefer to use the term quality of life, which probably covers most human welfare issues.
Quality of life
The term 'quality of life' is frequently used to capture the essence of human welfare. It goes beyond material aspects like income or housing to include emotional and psychological well-being.
Quality of life is influenced by four interrelated components:
| Component | Key Elements |
|---|---|
| Physical | Diet, housing conditions, clean surroundings, and mobility. |
| Social | Leisure activities, family and friendships, access to welfare services, and education. |
| Economic | Job security, income levels, affluence, and overall standard of living. |
| Psychological | Feelings of satisfaction, happiness, health, and security. |
These components are interconnected; for instance, economic stability through a secure job impacts physical health via better diet and housing, while social factors like education influence economic outcomes.
The link between economic development and quality of life
Economic development plays a crucial role in enhancing quality of life by generating wealth that can be redistributed to improve societal conditions. This relationship creates a cycle that ideally benefits individuals and communities.
The cycle of wealth and its impact on quality of life
Economic development produces wealth that flows through society in several ways:
- Government revenue through taxes - When governance is effective, tax income is invested in public goods like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and defence, directly improving quality of life.
- Disposable income for individuals - Employment and wages provide people with money to spend on personal needs and desires, such as shopping, entertainment, and travel, enhancing their living standards.
- Reinvestment by businesses - Profits are often reinvested to expand operations, sparking further economic growth and creating additional opportunities for wealth generation.
This cycle demonstrates how economic progress translates into tangible benefits for a population, from access to basic services to personal financial freedom.
The unequal distribution of development benefits
Despite the potential for economic development to improve quality of life, the benefits are not always evenly shared across society. Economic growth often results in a widening gap between the rich and the poor, meaning the benefits of economic development are not shared equally.