Skip to main content

Changing concept of development

Development is a dynamic concept. The concept of development is almost as old as civilization. It is extreme use in western societies from Greco-Roman civilization to the late 19th century as a generic construct that designates the most varied aspects related to humanity’s well-being. Below follow various perspective on development & the changes made over time  – 
(i).Economic Growth Perspective (Before 1960s): Perspective & its approach & focus on economic growth. Adam Smith (Wealth of Nation) propounded the first systematic theory of economic growth. According to him, invention of better machines is responsible for increase in productivity & material welfare.
     The indicators, which have been identified to measure the level of economic development include – 
  • Per-capita income
  • Gross National Product (GNP)
  • Number of Functioning Industrial Units.

(ii).Sustainable Development Perspective (1970s): Perspective & its approach & focus on education. Health, employment, social & economic growth etc. The concept of sustainable development received its first major international recognition in 1972 at the UN conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. The modern concept of Sustainable development is derived mostly from the 1987 Brundtland Report.
     The indicators, which have been identified to measure the level of sustainable development include – 
  • Economic: GNP, Investment.
  • Social: Equity, Health, Population.
  • Environment: Atmosphere, Biodiversity.

(iii).Human Development Perspective (1990s): Perspective & its approach & focus on social, human, economic growth. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which received the concept in its Human Development Report (HDR) of 1990 (UNDP,1990).
     The theory grew in the 1980s with the work of Amartya Sen & his Human Capabilities perspective. The modern concept of Human Development propounded by Mahbub-ul-Haq, Uner Kirder & Amartya Sen. Human Development broadly refers to improvement in the overall well-being.
The indicators, which have been identified to measure the level of human development include – 
  • Life expectancy
  • Literature rate

(iv).Multidimensional Perspective (2000s): Perspective & its approach & focus on social, environment, economic, political, human, freedom & gender issues etc. The concept of multidimensional perspective propounded by John Rawls & Amartya Sen.
    The indicators, which have been identified to measure the level of multidimensional development include – 
  • Health
  • Living standard.

Table: Changing Concept of Development from 1960s to 2000s
Periods
Perspective
Approach & focus
Economist 
1960s
Economic Growth Perspective
Economic growth
Adam Smith (Wealth of Nation)
1970s
Sustainable Development Perspective
Education, health, employment, social & economic growth
Brundtland commission (Club of Rome)
1990s
Human Perspective
Social, human, economic growth
Mahbub-ul-Haq, David Richardo
2000s 
Multidimensional Perspective
Social, environment, economic, political, human, freedom & gender issues
Amartya Sen, John Rawls

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Behaviouralism in geography

Behaviouralism Behaviouralism is an approach in human geography that came to prominence in the human geography of the 1960s and 1970s. It goes out of the idea that people are the determining factor in the explanation of space. Behaviouralism tries to give an explanation of the spatiallity of human activities. And thereby they use a complex universally applicable model.  Definition of Behaviouralism: The particular aspect with which geographical content is analyzed using mathematical statistics & human sensitivity, is called behavioralism. Concept of Behaviouralism: The Behaviouralism revolution is a theoretical concept. Its theories are not based on assumptions, but are actually explored through ascending methods based on the experience of human behavior. An analysis of the significance of geographical issues in behavioral perspectives within a system, so therefore is no definite boundary to behavioral geography. The main purpose of behaviouralism geography is to invest

Deep-Ocean Basin

Abyssal Plain:  Abyssal plains is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor, usually found at depths between 3000 metres & 6000 metres. Characteristics: a)       Abyssal plain is the most extensive relief zone of the ocean floor. b)      The average slope gradient is almost 0.5ᵒ. c)       It covers nearly 40% of the ocean floor. d)      It is flat & rolling submarine plain. Abyssal Hill:  Abyssal hills a small hill that rises from the floor of an abyssal plain. Characteristics: a)       Covering more than 30% of the ocean floor. b)      Height of this hill is less than 100m. Seamounts: Seamounts is an volcanic projections that developed above the abyssal plains that do not rise above the surface of the sea. Characteristics: a)       Seamounts are circular or elliptical. b)      Height is of less than 1 km. c)       Relatively steel slops of 20ᵒ-25ᵒ. d)      Seamounts may be found alone or in groups of from 10 to 100. Guyots:  Guyots are

Positive and Negative Impact of Tide

Tide has many effects on human life. The impact of tide discuss below- Positive Impact of Tide: Shipping:  Tides are helpful in making rivers navigable for large vessels. During the high tide, the amount of river water & height of river water increases. At that time, large vessels/ships can easily come to rive port. Again, during the low tide, ships can be returned from port to sea.  For example - London & Kolkata have become important ports because of the tidal waves in the Thames & the Hooghly rivers respectively. Pollution-free Environment:  When tidal water flows, rivers are free of garbage. As a result, the environment is not pollutant near the river areas. Obstruction of Sediments deposited & Delta Formation:  As a result of the tide, sediments not to deposited & prevents delta formation.  For example-  In the Sundarbans, small creeks are capable of navigating during tides.  Regular Water flow:  During the tide, sea salt water enters the river