The Concept of DevelopmentThen & Now
Rajendra P Sharma, A Social Anthropologist and PlannerInterested in Urban Rural Relations, Linkages and Planning
Policy Prescription for Sustainable Development
An Academic Presentation, Kathmandu, Nepal
2014
Development began with the humanity, but
In an organized way, it
started late ……… !
Development influenced by
Mobility
Technology
Industry
Research
Information
Education
Industry
Innovation
Development is a process and it
goes on …………….. !
Idea and concept of development is also
being changed throughout !!
Changing idea and concept
of development: Some
mile-stones
The idea of ‘development’ was invented in the
post-Second World War world, to describe the
process by which ‘backward’ countries would
‘catch up’ with the industrialized world – with
the help of bilateral and multilateral aid and
assistance.
More than six decades later, the concept of
‘development’ has created a virtual industry!
However, the reality is that the numbers of
poor people in whose name ‘development’ is
justified – are greater than they were, when
the concept was invented!
According to some, their poverty is the direct
result of ‘development’!
According to one estimate: Ten million people
a year, worldwide, suffer forced displacement
from the construction of dams & urban
transportation systems alone.
The numbers compare to the 12 million
refugees annually displaced by wars and other
disasters.
But refugees may one day go home. The
development-displaced can never do that!
According to the World Commission on Dams,
up to 80 million people around the world have
been displaced by dams alone.
Dominant Paradigm of Development
A.Purpose of Development
Transformation of traditional, agrarian,
backward economies and societies,
into
industrial, commoditized, modern ones.
Dominant Paradigm of Development
B. Basic Assumptions
Endless conversion of resources into goods and services.
Use of Science and Technology to make conversion more productive and efficient.
Possibility of unlimited growth in a Free-Market system.
Domination and exploitation of Nature.
Philosophy of Social Darwinism:
- Man is the most highly evolved of all species.
- Survival of the Fittest!
Dominant Paradigm of Development
C. Process
Top-down.
Reliance on Western knowledge, science and
technology.
Large investments in large projects.
External control.
Dominant Paradigm of Development
D. Measurement
Economic activity:
- Production and Consumption of
resources.
Industrial development.
GNP/GDP.
Per Capita Income
Dominant Paradigm of Development
Consequences
A. Ecological Impact
Environmental Degradation.
Global Warming.
Climate Change.
Dominant Paradigm of Development
Consequences
B. Widening Divides
North-South Divide.
Industry-Agriculture Divide.
Urban-Rural Divide.
Rich-Poor Divide.
Dominant Paradigm of Development
ConsequencesC. Social Impact
Poverty.
Insecurity.
Tension.
Crime.
Communalism.
Fundamentalism.
Terrorism.
Today, after more than 60 unprecedented
years of rapidly growing global prosperity,
about 3 billion people worldwide survive on
less than $1.25 a day!
This is a greater number than the entire world
population in 1950!
So , ‘Development’ today, is too often
experienced, not as opportunity, but as
damage, perhaps even as disaster!
Right to Development (RTD) as a Basic Human Right
RTD was formally recognized as an
international Human Right, when the
United Nations adopted the Declaration on
the Right to Development on 4th December
1986.
Significantly, there was a lone dissenting
voice, that of the US, and six abstentions!
UN Declaration on the Right to Development,1986
“The Right to Development is an
inalienable Human Right by virtue of which
every human person and all peoples are
entitled to participate in, contribute to, and
enjoy economic, social, cultural and
political development, in which all Human
Rights and fundamental freedoms can be
fully realized.” (Article 1)
5 Major Arguments of the RTD1. The Right to Development is an inalienable Human Right. (Article
1)
2. A. The human person is the central subject of development.
B. S/he should be the active participant and beneficiary of the RTD. (Article 2.1)
3. States have the duty to formulate appropriate development policies that aim at the constant improvement of entire population and of all individuals. (Article 2.3)
4. States shall ensure:
(a) Equality of opportunity for all in their access to basic resources, education, health, food, housing, employment, income;
(b) That women have an active role in the development process;
(c) Appropriate economic and social reforms to eradicate social injustices.
5. States shall encourage popular participation in all spheres as an important factor in development.
Alternative Paradigm of Development
A. Purpose of Development
Creation of sustainable economies and
societies, based on non-violence, love,
cooperation, harmony, contentment, and
fulfillment of need, not greed.
Alternative Paradigm of Development
B. Basic Assumptions
Sustainable production and consumption.
Use of Appropriate Technology.
An understanding that growth can never be unlimited.
Human activity to be in balance with Nature.
Philosophy of Ecologism:
- Man is one among other species on this planet.
- Peaceful co-existence of all species.
Alternative Paradigm of Development
C. Process
Bottom-up.
Reliance on Traditional Knowledge and
Appropriate Technology.
Small investments in small projects.
Democratic inclusion and participation of all.
Local control.
Alternative Paradigm of Development
D. Measurement of Development
Fulfillment of basic material and non-material needs of all.
Constant check on the condition of the natural environment, through techniques like:
- Environmental Resource Accounting and Auditing.
Empowerment of the marginalized.
Rural Development:
- Condition of the village.
- Condition of rural/cottage industries.
Human Development Index.
Gender Development Index.
Essentials/Non-Negotiables of Development
Holistic – Balanced, Comprehensive,
Inclusive.
Indigenous/Self-Reliant.
Need-based, not Greed-based.
Sustainable.
Humane.
What is Development?
“It is not simply a question of economic growth, food
production, modern equipment or technology transfer.
Development is about people. It is humanity in all its
dimensions, in full possession of dignity, and individual
rights…
… It is humanity developed in all its capacities of
imagination, creativity, choice, decision-making, and of
responsibility to its natural and social environment…”
- Bertrand Schneider, ‘The Barefoot Revolution’, I.T. Publications, London, 1988.
Human Development
“Human Development is concerned with
advancing the richness of human life,
rather than the richness of the economy
in which human beings live.”- Amartya Sen
Human Development
‘Human Development’ presents a model of
inclusive development.
The objectives of ‘Human Development’
are:
- Widening people’s choices;
- Improving lives.
Human Development
Basic Assumptions
Development must put people at the centre
of its concerns.
The purpose of Development is to enlarge all
human choices, not just income.
Human Development
The concept is based on a calculation of 3
essential elements:
- Income,
- Education, and
- Health.
Human Development Indices
Four main Human Development Indices have been
developed by the Human Development Reports:
1.Human Development Index (HDI)
- Combines indicators of Life Expectancy, Educational
attainment and Per Capita Income into a composite
Human Development Index.
2.Gender Development Index (GDI)
- Takes note of inequality between Men and Women.
- Imposes a penalty for inequality.
- The greater the gender disparity, the lower a country’s GDI, compared with its HDI.
Human Development Indices …. cont
3.Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM)
- Examines gender equality in economic and political participation and decision-making.
4. Human Poverty Index
Does not measure poverty by income, but by the most basic dimension of deprivation
- a short life;
- lack of basic education; and
- lack of access to public and private resources.
Human Development Reports
The first Human Development Report was
launched in 1990, and has become an
annual feature, since then.
The Human Development Report is an
independent report, commissioned by the
UNDP.
It is a product of a team of scholars, initially
led by Mahbub-ul-Haq of Bangla Desh.
Human Development Report
1.Norway2. Australia
3. Iceland4. Canada
5. Ireland6. Netherlands
7. Sweden8. France
9. Switzerland10. Japan
11. Luxembourg12. Finland
13. United States of AmericaCountry Rankings, 2009
92. China.
102. Sri Lanka
132. Bhutan
134. India
141. Pakistan
144. Nepal
Sustainable Development
Loss of Forest Cover
Extinction of Species
Reduced Soil Fertility
Atmospheric Pollution
Pollution of Water Bodies
Depletion of Ground Water
Desertification
Acid Rain
Depletion of Ozone Layer
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming
Climate Change
Context: Sorry State of the Environment Today
Sustainable Development
Origins
The origin of the term can be traced to the
establishment of the World Commission on
Environment and Development (WCED) by
the United Nations General Assembly in
1982.
… Origins of Sustainable Development
Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland was appointed
Chairperson of the WCED.
The WCED came to be popularly referred to
as the ‘Brundtland Commission’.
The Commission submitted its Report, ‘Our
Common Future’ in April 1987.
Sustainable Development
Definition
According to the WCED/Brundtland Commission
Report of 1987:
Sustainable development is development that
meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.”
Brundtland Commission Approach to Sust. Development
Links environmental degradation with man-
made interventions.
Takes a positive attitude towards
development.
Economic development and environmental
protection can be mutually compatible goals.
Recognizes that there are ultimate bio-
physical limits to growth.
Brundtland to Sust. Development (contd.)
Recognizes that the planetary eco-system
cannot sustain the high consumption rates of
the industrialized countries.
Maintains that consumption patterns of the
North are driven by greed, not need.
Acknowledges the responsibility of the
present generation to future generations.
Policy Prescriptions for Promoting Sustainable Development
1. Structural Sustainability
Establishment of structures and
institutions to promote Sustainable
Development.
2. Industrial Sustainability
Creation of circular industrial eco-
systems.
Designing products for needs.
Policy Prescriptions …….. (contd.)
3. Agricultural Sustainability Promotion of: - Polyculture - Agro-Ecology - Organic Farming
4. Urban Sustainability Planning, guiding and regulating the built
environment, based on ‘carrying capacity’. Conservation of lakes, trees, parks/gardens. Treatment of wastewaters prior to disposal into
rivers, lakes or the sea.
An effective water management plan, with
the following components:
- Rainwater Harvesting;
- Encouraging conservative use;
- Paying realistic prices;
- Better maintenance and leakage
prevention.
Policy Prescriptions (contd.)
5. Forest Sustainability Ensuring retention of minimum forest cover. Co-ordination of authorities responsible for
forest management functions. Making tribal and forest dwellers stakeholders
in forest management and preservation.
6. Energy Sustainability Shift to alternative, renewable sources of
energy. Encouraging change in lifestyles. Introducing energy efficiency standards. Elimination of subsidies; levy of energy taxes.
Requirements for Promoting Sust. Development
Need to re-cast our vocabulary.
Need to change our materialistic culture.
Need to change our educational system.
Need to change our value systems.
“The earth has enough for every (hu)man’s
need,
but not for every (hu)man’s greed!”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Thank you so much !
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