Introduction to Development
Development is a complex concept that goes beyond mere economic growth. It encompasses:
- Individual aspirations and goals
- Societal progress and well-being
- Quality of life improvements
Development involves thinking about fundamental questions such as:
- How can life be improved for all?
- Can there be more equality?
- How should people live together?
Key Insight: Development is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Different individuals and
groups may have varying perspectives on what constitutes development.
Different Perspectives on Development
Development goals vary across different groups:
- Landless rural laborers might prioritize work opportunities and education
- Farmers might seek better crop prices and agricultural support
- Urban youth might look for employment and skill development
Important Observation:
What constitutes development for one group might be destructive or undesirable for another.
Development encompasses more than just monetary aspects:
- Equal treatment
- Freedom
- Security
- Respect
Measuring Development: Beyond Income
Traditionally, per capita income was the primary measure of development. However, modern approaches
recognize multiple indicators:
- Per capita income
- Literacy rates
- Health indicators
- Life expectancy
- Education levels
Critical Understanding: Income alone cannot measure a country's comprehensive development.
Other social and human-centric factors are equally important.
Examples demonstrating limitations of income-based measurement:
- Haryana vs Kerala comparison shows varying development levels despite similar incomes
- Infant mortality rates differ significantly between states
- Educational access varies across regions
Human Development Index (HDI)
HDI introduced by UNDP provides a more holistic development assessment based on:
- Per capita income
- Life expectancy
- Mean years of schooling
Global Perspective:
Comparing countries like Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar reveals complex development dynamics.
Sustainability of Development
Modern development thinking emphasizes sustainable progress, considering:
- Resource conservation
- Environmental protection
- Long-term ecological balance
Key Challenge: Current development models must balance economic growth with environmental
sustainability.
Critical sustainability considerations:
- Groundwater conservation
- Non-renewable resource management
- Ecological footprint reduction
Important Terminology
- Per Capita Income: Total income of a country divided by its total population
- Formula: Total National Income รท Total Population
- Calculated in US dollars using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
- Human Development Index (HDI): Composite statistic measuring:
- Per capita income
- Life expectancy
- Mean years of schooling
- Literacy Rate: Proportion of literate population in the 7-and-above age group
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Number of children dying before age one per 1,000 live
births
- Net Attendance Ratio: Percentage of children in a specific age group attending school
Limitations of Average Income as a Development Criterion
Critical Analysis of Per Capita Income
- Income Distribution Inequality
Example from the textbook: Two countries with same average income
- Country A: More equitable distribution (all citizens earn close to average)
- Country B: Extreme inequality (one person very rich, others very poor)
- Non-Monetary Aspects of Development
- Quality of life beyond monetary measures
- Access to healthcare, education, and public facilities
- Social security and individual freedoms
- Inadequate Representation of Well-being
Comparative Example: Haryana vs. Kerala
- Haryana: Higher per capita income
- Kerala: Better health and education indicators
- Lower infant mortality rate
- Higher literacy and school attendance
World Bank Development Classification
Classification Criteria
- Per Capita Income Thresholds (2019)
- High-Income Countries: US$ 49,300 and above per annum
- Low-Income Countries: US$ 2,500 or less per annum
- India: Low Middle-Income Category (US$ 6,700 per annum)
- Calculation Method
- Uses Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
- Standardizes income across different countries
- Ensures comparable purchasing power
Environmental Challenges in Development
Sustainability Concerns
- Groundwater Overuse
- 300 districts report water level decline over 4 meters in 20 years
- Nearly one-third of country overusing groundwater reserves
- Projected: 60% overuse in another 25 years
- Non-Renewable Resource Depletion
- Crude Oil Reserves Analysis
- Global reserves expected to last only 50 years
- Different countries face varying resource challenges
- Key Environmental Sustainability Issues
- Resource conservation
- Ecological balance
- Intergenerational responsibility
Examination Question Bank
Multiple Choice Questions
- Development of a country can generally be determined by:
- Per capita income
- Average literacy level
- Health status of its people
- All of the above
- Main criterion used by World Bank for country classification:
- Per capita income
- Literacy rates
- Life expectancy
Descriptive Question Strategies
- Explain limitations of using per capita income as a development measure
- Discuss sustainability of development with environmental examples
- Compare development indicators of different countries/states
- Analyze non-monetary aspects of development
Critical Thinking Perspectives
Development Philosophical Approach:
Development is not just economic growth, but a holistic improvement in:
- Individual capabilities
- Social opportunities
- Economic potential
- Environmental sustainability