Development
Like evolution and progress, 'development' is also a social process. Development is change that
moves towards improvement.
Along with the continuity of change of development, a direction is also necessary. Although this
direction is not predetermined, yet it is progressive. it always moves up. It just presents the
speed of progress from one condition to another. In fact, social development is needed to
achieve social progress. For example, after attaining independence, the ultimate aim of the
society was to establish a socialist society. If we achieve this, we will say that we have made
progress. But if we could not achieve it, yet keep moving towards the objective, then it will be
called social development.
Development is not limited to specific regions and times. It is the overall improvement of
economic, social, and political conditions. The concept of development varies from region to
region over time.
Definition
As a definition, it can be said that development is the change in which a society is able to
achieve social progress. Therefore, it can be said that development is also a means of social
progress.
Hurlock(1959) defines, “Development means a progressive series of changes that occur in an
orderly, predictable pattern as a result of maturation and experience.”
Pearson (1992) defines development as “an improvement, qualitative, quantitative, or both, in
the use of available resources.”
The following are the important characteristics of development.
1. Development is a continuous process
The process of development continues from the moment of inception of the society. The
society always marches forward. Sometimes the process of development is faster and under
some situations it slows down. However, it witnesses no complete halting point. It is ongoing in
nature.
2. Development is irreversible
Development as a process is always forward looking and has no look back. There may be
temporary stalemates but once a society is into the process of development, it will never revert
back to its original state. So development is always progressive.
3. Development has a direction
It runs as corollary from the above said feature that the process of development follows a
definite direction. The direction is always forward and never backward.
4.Development always has positive yields
The outcomes of development are always positive. It is for the betterment of the society.
Development thus is progressive. But sometimes when development outcomes are used by
human beings in a negative way its consequences become disastrous. For e.g. Development of
technology necessarily improves human quality of life. But when men blindly use it for
destructive purpose the outcomes become sorrowful.
5. Development has got its qualitative and quantitative connotations
Development as a process can be judged through the qualitative improvement human
conditions of living. For example when there is a reduction of house hold drudgery for the
women we find a qualitative change in their living conditions and term it as development of
women. Similarly when there is a quantum lift or there is an increase in number of some
institution, then also we feel the impact of development. For example the increase in the
number of educational institutions is also described as development. Thus the qualitative
aspects of development are felt while the quantitative aspects of development are observed.
6. Development process is universal
Development is a common process witnessed by every society however primitive or modern it
is. Every society witnesses the process of development in some form or the other. Time and
space cannot arrest it.
7. Development process is multidimensional.
Development is a complex and multi-dimensional process. It involves a lot of economic,
behavioural and institutional rearrangements. It involves equity, socio-economic and political
participation, and so on.
local economic development can be defined as a process of transformation of the local
economy and society, oriented to surpass the difficulties and existent challenges. It seeks to
improve the conditions of life of local population by means of actions concerted between the
different local agents, social, public and private, towards an efficient and sustainable use of the
existent endogenous resources.[4] In this approach, the importance of social capital and the links
of cooperation with external agents to capture human, monetary and technical resources
contribute to the local development strategy.
Development is a process that creates growth, brings in progress and positive change.
Development is a healthy sign.
Two aspects of development are
Economic growth or increase in people’s income.
Social progress includes literacy, health and the provision of public services.
Noted Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen defined development as a tool enabling people to reach
the highest level of their ability, through granting freedom of action, i.e., freedom of economic,
social and family actions, etc.
Factors leading Economic Growth
Human resources – Human resources are responsible for boosting the economic growth
of a country. The rate of improvement in the skills and capabilities of a workforce
ultimately increases the economic growth of a country.
Infrastructure development– Improvements and increased investment in physical
capital such as roadways, machinery, and factories will increase the performance of
economic output by reducing the cost.
Appropriate utilization of natural resources – Proper and judicious use of available
natural resources like mineral deposits helps boost the productivity of the economy.
Healthy population growth – An increase in the growth of the population will rise in the
availability of more human resources which in turn will increase the output in terms of
quantity. This is also an important factor that influences economic growth.
Progress in technology – Advancement in technology will transform the economic
growth of a country positively. The utilisation of advanced technology will result in
enhanced productivity of labour and economic growth will advance at a lower cost.
