The concept of development: then & now - by Rajendra P Sharma, Nepal

The Concept of DevelopmentThen & Now

Rajendra P Sharma, A Social Anthropologist and PlannerInterested in Urban Rural Relations, Linkages and Planning

[email protected]

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.


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!


C. Process

Top-down.

Reliance on Western knowledge, science and

technology.

Large investments in large projects.

External control.


D. Measurement

Economic activity:

- Production and Consumption of

resources.

Industrial development.

GNP/GDP.

Per Capita Income


Consequences

A. Ecological Impact

Environmental Degradation.

Global Warming.

Climate Change.


Consequences

B. Widening Divides

North-South Divide.

Industry-Agriculture Divide.

Urban-Rural Divide.

Rich-Poor Divide.


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.


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.


C. Process

Bottom-up.

Reliance on Traditional Knowledge and

Appropriate Technology.

Small investments in small projects.

Democratic inclusion and participation of all.

Local control.


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


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.


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 !