4.2+Measuring+development

Introduction to development

The Concept of Development

The notion of development is complex. Development suggests 'progress' and 'improvement' but compared to what? Eg the move from an agrarian to industrial economy often means the loss of a way of life and movements of population from rural to urban areas. In what sense is this progress or development? Are there only 'winners'? Is a worker earning $50,000 pa in an industrialised nation working 18 hour days, commuting long distances on congested roads, with large mortgage and pressure 'to succeed', better or worse off than a worker in developing country earning $5,000 pa - sufficient income to meet the needs of his family - but with fewer 'stresses'? Dudley Seers' (1969) definition of development is widely accepted.

Development occurs with: the reduction and elimination of poverty, inequality and unemployment within a growing economy. How do we measure poverty? What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty? [|China redefines poverty] [|BBC article on measuring Poverty] Tutor2U article with good video on measuring Poverty

Such outcomes are development because they mean improved the quality of life for all.

More and more we are also becoming aware of the fact that consuming more now may mean we have a lower standard of living in the future due to a lack of resources and/or a negative impact on the environment of increased consumption. Therefore we now often focus not just on development but sustainable development.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." 1992 UN Rio Declaration

Indicators of Development

Economic development is measured using composite (component) indicators. Therefore development is seen as a broader measure of welfare than simply GDP per capita. One of the best-known indicators is The UN’s Human Development Index (HDI). This measures a country ’s average achievements in three basic dimensions of human development: <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(1) Life expectancy at birth <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(2) Educational attainment ( average/mean years of schooling and mean/av expected years of schooling) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(3) Adjusted real income (GNI PPP$ per person)

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Note that in some older books the HDI maybe shown to be calculated slightly differently than described above. This is because the measurement of HDI was modified in 2011. Educational attainment is now measured by calculating the average years of schooling of people aged 25+ and the expected years of schooling for children just starting schooling. These replace literacy rates and and gross enrolment. Equally GNP per capita (PPP) replaces GDP per capita (PPP)

//**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Student Activity: **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Pick 2 countries- one a high income and one a low income country. For each find out as much as you can about the component values of the HDI and any other relevant data. Are there any surprises? For example NZ has a much higher HDI index than you would expect by merely looking at GNI per capita figures. **//

//**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Be careful about making generalisations about "poor" countries (LEDCs). In this Ted Talk Hans Rosling explores some myths about these countries **// <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">media type="custom" key="18362496"

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We also think of development as being a goal to achieve.

=<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">UN SDGs and HDI Video =

media type="custom" key="28300809"

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Student task: Answer the following questions after reading the relevant section in the textbook and

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">undertaking further research:

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Outline the SDGs and MDGs

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why are these specific goals seen to be so important?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> What other goals could be used?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> How well have the MDGs been achieved ?

=<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Student task: = = = =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Split into groups. Each group is to pick an LEDC and produce a presentation on that country in relation =

=<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">to the MDGs =

=<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Key points to include = = = = = =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A good resource is[| www.mdgmonitor.org] which keeps an up-to date account of the progress towards 2015 =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Country profile – key statistics indicating the challenges faced in trying to raise standards in line with the Development Goals =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Uncovering the MDG – why are these goal important in raising living standards worldwide? =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Progress against the MDG – what recent progress has been made? =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Meeting the MDG – what still needs to be done? What are the barriers to further progress? =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Support – where should funding be targeted and why? =
 * =<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why have some countries developed whilst others have not? =

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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">More detailed notes for your file: <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">