Lecture 4: The Concept of Development PDF

The Concept of Development AK Awedoba 2016  The Issue of Development 1. The Concept of Development; 2. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); 3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Development: Its Definitions  What is Development?  Some definitions of the term ◦ P...

The Concept of Development AK Awedoba 2016  The Issue of Development 1. The Concept of Development; 2. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); 3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Development: Its Definitions  What is Development?  Some definitions of the term ◦ Past viewpoints ◦ Current viewpoints  Millennium Development Goals: Illustration  Further exemplification of Development  The Issue of Westernisation as Development  Development and Culture  Development as Change Implied in the term is the idea of change. Not just any change; change which is positive and beneficial to society. We do not therefore normally talk of ‘negative development’.  However, some nations are touted as having performed better than others, as far as their development is concerned. The UNDP maintains a Human Development Index (HDI) and ranks countries in terms of how well they are performing. This is found in the Human Development Reports. UNDP Perspectives The process of widening people’s choices and the level of well-being they achieve are at the core of the notion of human development. Such choices are neither finite nor static. But regardless of the level of development, the three essential choices for people are to lead a long and healthy life, to acquire knowledge and to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living (UNDP 1987:13-14). Amartya Sen on Development Sen (Nobel Prize winner for Economics) writes : Development can be seen … as a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy. Focusing on human freedoms contrasts with the narrower views of development, such as identifying development with the growth of gross national product, or with the rise in personal incomes, or with industrialization or with technological advance, or with social modernisation. Sen (1999:3).  Earlier Perspectives  Inthe past Development was seen as purely economic;  Itwas reduced to economic indicators such as a country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), per capita income etc. The higher the GDP or per capita income the more developed the country was presumed to be; A catalogue of gadgetry and infrastructural facilities available in a country was once an indicator of development;  Industrialisation was equated with development Outmoded ideas about Development  Development seen to be about nation states and less about people;  Countries with hard currencies (the dollar, pound, yen, etc) were presumed to be DEVELOPED while those with weak currencies like the Cedi, Naira etc. were UNDEVELOPED;  It all seems to recall the ethnocentric distinction between CIVILISED and UNCIVILISED countries/societies in former times. Comment on Income Distribution  Earlier definitions of Development didn’t consider income distribution within countries.  However, a country may have a very high GDP / per capita income, but the distribution of wealth could be grossly skewed, in favour of a small elite group. You find this is capitalists countries.  A country on the other hand may not have a very high per capita income/ GDP but that income is evenly spread so that extremes of poverty and opulence do co-exist. Norway is an example of a country where income disparities are narrow.  A Big GDP, remains just a statistic if … Many nationals are poor & hungry, while a few are excessively rich. Majority see no improvement in their lives and their aspirations are never met and the future looks bleak. The Youth are dependent on narcotic stimulants. Nationals are constantly at war with each other? People live in polluted environments. People are not free to worship the gods they like. Nationals lack a say in selecting their leaders. Many live in ignorance or lack the information necessary to be able to make choices? Clearly Development is more than GDPs. How can Development be meaningful  It should be people-centred and people-oriented;  It should enable the common person access basic needs of life – food, shelter and clothing;  People should be able to live a dignified life;  It should enable people improve their lot, meet their aspirations and exercise their God-given talents;  Should take account of the culture and environment;  It should involve people and should address their basic concerns. It should not be seen as an imposition. Big Brother can’t just impose development against people’s wishes. Millennium Concept of Development The UN in September 2000 declared what it called ‘Millennium Development Goals’ [MDGs]. It is the UN expectation that all nations would aspire to the attainment of the MDGs before or by year 2015. It is now clear however that countries have not achieved all the goals by the end of 2015.  The Specific MDGs How they conform to the concept of Development. They sought the following: 1. Eradication of extreme poverty & hunger; 2. Universal Primary Education by 2015; 3. Gender Equity and empowerment of women in all aspects of life; 4. Reduction in infant mortality;  Millennium Development cont. 5. Improve maternal health; 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7. Integrate the principles of sustainable development into the country’s policies and programmes and to reverse the loss of environmental resources; 8. Develop Global partnerships for development.  Features of the MDGs  MDGs addressed the World and not only African countries. Clearly implied in the formulation of MDGs is the view that all countries could do with development, whether Western European, American or countries like Japan or China.  Issues contained in the MDGs are Economic, Social, Political, Environmental, Health etc.  MDGs target the welfare of the individual – child, mother, woman, pauper, sick person, etc.  The goals are interlinked. Though the MDGs can’t be said to have contained all that goes into development they nevertheless shed light on the concept. The Sustainable Development Goals At the end 2015 the world didn’t just abandon the MDGs, it amplified them into what are now the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs]. There are 17 SDGs. They aim to do the following:  end poverty and hunger;  ensure access to health and education for all;  achieve gender equality;  enhance equality between individuals and nations;  protect the environment, combat climate change and promote sustainable growth.  Matching SDGs to MDGs 1, 5 2,3,4 6, 12, 13, 14, 15 17 16 7, 8. 9. 10, 11 2030 PROSPERITY DIGNITY PEOPLE PLANET PARTNERSHIPS Grow strong, inclusive & End poverty & Ensure healthy Protect eco- Catalyse global S transformative fight inequality lives, knowledge systems for all solidarity for D economy & inclusion of societies and our sustainable G women + children children dev’t S JUSTICE 2015 Promote safe and peaceful societies + strong institutions M D MDG G MDG 2, MDG7 MDG 8 S 1, 3 4, 5, 6 2000  Development & Westernisation It seems to be implied in some people’s attitudes and behaviours that Development = Western- isation i.e. adoption of western ways and outlooks: – alien family systems, western languages, communication, western foods, western religions, western dress codes, etc.  Japan, Taiwan, etc. did not develop by merely westernising; they retained aspects of its culture. Uncritically imposing western ways & solutions on non- western communities may backfire since these other communities have their own environments – physical and social.  Adaptation  While Development from the perspective of an African people may not be westernisation, there is nothing wrong with learning from other countries, taking advantage of beneficial technologies, or borrowing from them. We do not have to re- invent the wheel.  However, a borrowed idea/thing needs to be customised to suit the circumstances, needs, tastes of the borrower. Blind imitation is not wise, but if you adopt, then adapt  Development and Culture  Both Development and Culture ought to be human-centred and aim to bring about the best living conditions for people and their communities.  Both are about change.  Both have economic, social, political, religious, technological, aesthetic etc. dimensions and seek to provide the means for the attainment of community and personal goals and aspirations.  It is with regard to this that it has been said that development is culture specific. Development and Cultural Sensitivity While Cultural norms institutionalise the best for society, nevertheless, both positive and negative norms and practices coexist. The unacceptable aspects will have to be dealt with. If culture is an artefact, it can be unmade, and development can spearhead this process. Development should enshrine cultural sensitivity. The agenda of development should take into account the cultural context, and use culture as a tool for progress. Development strategies should exploit the ‘good’ aspects of a people’s culture and draw inspiration from them. That makes approaches and interventions acceptable and easier to market and implement. No need however to get rid of culturally harmless institutions for the sake of change. Outmodedness: The stick and Carrot Legislate: Laws can be introduced to stop offensive practices e.g. Trokosi, FGM etc. – the stick. But if people refuse to accept the laws, what next? Arrest everybody? This seems difficult if not impossible. If no informants, how would you know who is breaking the law? Educate the community on the harmful effects of the practices? Why not! Knowledge is essential. Build alliances within the community to check and stop the offensive practices. Introduce conditions that would wean people off the offensive practices. If an undesirable practice or institution is said to hold benefits for people, it is for the developers to assess those benefits and find acceptable substitutes. This is the carrot.  FGM:The Banda Case Banda is a community in Tain Dist. of the BA. where Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] and widowhood rites have been customary. Through education the Traditional Council (TC) was persuaded that these practices are harmful. NB: it is not enough to just tell people that their practices are harmful; they must be persuaded by proof and illustration. TC subsequently passed a by-law forbidding these practice, with stiff penalties. They made sacrifices to the ancestors to seek their support for the change;  Banda Actions: The Stick Solution TC resolved that culprits pay fines (7 white rams & 28 bottles of Schnapps ) and additionally, be reported to the police. Big Stick approach TC and its allies also provided a substitute for FGM – something similar but sawn off the dangerous processes. The Teenage Girls Initiation Rites (TGIR). Substitution:  Banda Actions: The Carrot To make the new changes acceptable TC-Banda ensured that TGIR would enable young girls –  Study the history of their people,  Be educated about HIV/AIDS,  Given instruction on issues such as traditional dancing and dressing, self maintenance and socialisation,  Be trained in home management skills for the purpose of supporting their parents at home and as preparation for marriage. Alliances: The chiefs and traditional authorities Parents and wife-seekers NGOs that provide the funding for the services The ancestors and the gods to be appeased. Clearly a win-win outcome; one can see why the project would succeed, if the community does not backtrack. END THANK YOU