Political science · An Introduction To Political Theory 9th Edition O. P. Gauba
Chapter 25 : Concept of Development
Table of contents34 sections
- 1.Concept of Development
- 2.Meaning of Development
- 3.Key Terms
- 4.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 5.Notion of the Third World
- 6.Key Terms
- 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 8.From Underdevelopment to Development
- 9.Liberal View
- 10.Marxist View
- 11.Dependency Theory (Neo-Marxist View)
- 12.Conclusion
- 13.Key Terms
- 14.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 15.Alternative Paths of Development
- 16.1. Market Society Model
- 17.2. Welfare State Model
- 18.3. Socialist Model
- 19.4. Gandhian Model
- 20.Key Terms
- 21.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 22.Concept of Sustainable Development
- 23.Key Terms
- 24.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 25.Development and Environmentalism
- 26.Key Terms
- 27.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 28.Concept of Political Development
- 29.Key Terms
- 30.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 31.Nation-Building and State-Building
- 32.Key Terms
- 33.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 34.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Concept of Development
Meaning of Development
The concept of development evolved in the social sciences post-Second World War (1939-45) to guide newly independent nations, termed 'developing nations'. While the idea existed in 19th and early 20th-century social thought (often expressed as a theory of social change from simple/lower to complex/higher forms), it acquired a specific meaning in the post-war context.
Development implies a conscious effort to attain a specific goal, and a society's level of development is measured by its distance from that goal. The factors facilitating this effort are 'development', while hindering factors are 'underdevelopment'.
Key Definitions of Development:
- J.H. Mittelman (Out from Underdevelopment: Prospects for the Third World; 1988): Defined development as "the increasing capacity to make rational use of natural and human resources for social ends." He defined underdevelopment as "the blockage which forestalls a rational transformation of the social structure."
- Paul Baran (The Political Economy of Growth; 1957): Described it as "a far-reaching transformation of society's economic, social and political structure, of the dominant organization of production, distribution and consumption," noting it is never a smooth or harmonious process.
- Walter Rodney (How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; 1974): Identified it as "a many-sided process" implying for the individual "increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility, and material well-being."
Development vs. Progress
| Feature | Development | Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Concept | Empirical and measurable | Evaluative and normative |
| Measurement | Subject to measurement on an empirical scale | Applies a normative criterion based on moral judgement |
| Core Idea | Process transforming a system/institution into a stronger, more organized, efficient, and effective form satisfying human wants | Notion that social change is heading towards continuous improvement of mankind's social conditions |
| Goal Orientation | Conscious effort for the attainment of a specific goal | Seeks to compare ongoing changes with the vision of an ideal social order |
Key Terms
📌 Exam Tidbits
- J.H. Mittelman (Out from Underdevelopment, 1988) → Defined development as rational use of resources for social ends.
- Paul Baran ( The Political Economy of Growth , 1957) → Viewed development as a far-reaching, non-harmonious transformation…
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