scs201 week 3

Overview of Development Ideologies

• Development theories are influenced by political ideologies and the dominant values of a time period.

• These ideologies are interconnected with a country's economic system, political system, and cultural values.

• Development generally refers to a country's progress and positive change over time, although the definition remains debated.

Perspectives on Development

• Debatability of Progress: The understanding of what constitutes progress is subjective and value-dependent, often reflecting Western societal values.

• Western-Centric View: The focus on modernity typically aligns with Western ideals, a perspective that has historical roots in the formation of international organizations like the UN.

Obstacles to Development

• Commonly cited obstacles include a country's perceived lack of skill, knowledge, or capital—concepts viewed through a Western lens.

Categories of Development Theories

• Three main categories:

  • Growth-Oriented Theories: Includes Modernization Theory, Neoliberal Theory, and Classical Liberal Ideology (Adam Smith).

  • Equity-Oriented Theories: Encompasses Dependency Theory and Neo-Marxist Theory, focusing on social justice and equality.

  • Sustainability and Culture-Oriented Theories: Related to Poststructuralist theories, incorporating thinkers like Amartya Sen and measuring human development through indicators.

Historical Timeline of Development Thought

• Post World War II: Growth-oriented theories began to dominate, reflecting economic growth measurement.

• 1950s: Rise of Modernization Theory and Industrialization Theory; emphasis on Western-centric ideas.

• 1960s: Emergence of Dependency Theory, focusing on power dynamics between developing and developed nations.

• 1970s: Dominance of Neoliberal thought; structural reforms by the World Bank and IMF caused socioeconomic damages.

• 1980s: Critical responses emerge, with concepts of actionable freedom and capability development.

• 1990s: Alternative development approaches arise, prioritizing local knowledge and decolonization perspectives.

• 2000s: Introduction of MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) emphasizing rights-based approaches.

Understanding Modernization Theory

• Central to the Washington Consensus, it promotes a sequential developmental path based on Western values.

• Rostow's Five Stages of Economic Growth:

  • Traditional Society: Subsistence farming and low technology.

  • Preconditions for Takeoff: Investment in infrastructure begins.

  • Takeoff: Rapid industrial growth, increased investment, and cultural change.

  • Drive to Maturity: Technological advances and widespread economic growth.

  • High Mass Consumption: White picket fence society emerges with high disposable incomes.

Impacts of Neoliberalism

• Global policies facilitated by neoliberalism often resulted in privatization, social dysfunction, and increased poverty due to job losses.

• Economic models prioritized market dynamics often led to marginalized local communities, worsening inequality.

Dependency Theory

• Core vs. Periphery: Describes the exploitative relationship where rich nations rely on resources from poorer countries, sustaining systemic inequalities.

• Historical Context: Stemming from colonial exploitative practices, it argues developing nations remain economically disadvantaged, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

• Current Relevance: Multinational corporations perpetuate extractive practices, leading to economic dependencies.

Questions for Review

• Pivotal historical events and themes in the emergence of international development, the impact of Rostow's theory, implications of neoliberal policies.

Measuring Development

• Traditional metrics include economic growth (GDP), but more holistic approaches emphasize:

  • Indicators of Well-Being: Life expectancy, maternal and child health, education access.

  • Inequality Measurement: Gini coefficient to assess income distribution within and across nations.

Life Expectancy as an Indicator

• Life expectancy reflects access to healthcare, nutrition, and socioeconomic conditions.

  • Discrepancies between indigenous and non-indigenous populations highlight systemic inequalities.

Population Pyramids

• Visual tools to depict age distribution; reflect demographic trends and socioeconomic conditions.

• Notable examples:

  • Developed countries exhibit stable age distributions.

  • Developing countries show broader bases with high youth populations due to historical and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusion

• Development is a complex interplay of ideologies, historical context, and evolving theories. Understanding these concepts is critical for addressing contemporary issues in global development.