The Concept of Development

Development is a concept and multi-faceted phenomena. Although its history goes back to the antiquities, development exceptionally preoccupied states after the Second World War in the late 1940s. These have since then been efforts for social, political and economic progress all over the world facilitated by the quick technological evolution.

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There are numerous definitions of development. Different authors have advanced more or less the same arguments pertaining to this rather wide concept. Below, are some of the commonly used definitions:

TAYEBWA (1992:261) states that development is a broad term which should not be limited to mean economic development, economic welfare or material wellbeing as per Tayebwa, development, in general, includes improvements in economic, social and political aspects of whole society like security, culture, social activities and political institutions.

 

According to TODARO (1981:56) refers to development as a multi-dimensional process involving the reorganization and reorientation of the entire economic and social systems. He continues to argue that development is a physical reality and a state of mind in which society has, through some combinations of social, economic and political process secured the way of obtaining better life. Similar to the one given by Tayebwa, Todaro?s definition is applauded for its wider view of the development concept as related to social, economic as well as political changes in the society.

 

Nevertheless, a careful analysis reveals that each level, a country can have different definitions of development. Just because development is a multi-dimensional process involving qualitative and quantitative changes in social, political and economic domains of society and it is undertaken essentially to lead to a better state of life.

 

According to PERROUX (1978:65), defines development as "the combination of mental and social changes among the population which decide to increase its real and global products, cumulatively and in a sustainable manner."

ROGERS (1990:30) adds "development is a long participatory process of social change in the society whose objective is the material and social progress for the majority of population through a better understanding of their environment"

 

Causes of development

It is important to note that, no single "engine" to development can be found. Specific countries have specific causes to their development different authors give different arguments to explain the causes of development.

- Increased savings and investment and acquisition of appropriate technology; Structural transformation of the economy and production;

- Human capital formation and human resource development and;

- Avoidance of unsustainable practices that would reserve the development process such as corruption;

- A growing foreign trade with close attention to comparative advantages;

- An economic system that allows for efficient allocation, including increases in the efficiency of government.

However, HAGEDORN view development process as not mechanical, automatic or fully predictable and that, although progress in each of the above areas appears valuable for development, it may not always be a sufficient condition for growth and development.

 

by Memoireonline https://www.memoireonline.com/04/12/5617/m_The-sociological-study-on-environmental-conservation-as-a-means-of-achieving-sustainable-development12.html

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