Conceptions and

Dimensions of Development
Marinel Cindy Monge
Rose Ann Separa
Marianne Touzo
BSSW AS2-2
 Development
widely used to refer to a
specified state of advancement
or growth.
Development as a vision
Here, the term is used to describe how desirable a society or
a region is, possibly with regard to what it can become

Development as action
This refers to deliberate action to change things for the better,
as with providing aid to alleviate hunger
Economic Growth
It is an increase in the production of
economic goods and services in one
period of time compared with a
previous period.
 Phases of Economic Growth

● Expansion – During this phase employment, income, industrial production, and sales all
increase, and there is a rising real GDP.
● Peak – This is when an economic expansion hits its ceiling. It is in effect a turning point.
● Contraction – During this phase the elements of an expansion all begin to decrease. It
becomes a recession when a significant decline in economic activity spreads across the
economy.
● Trough – This is when an economic contraction hits its nadir.
 How to Measure Economic Growth

through using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

It is calculated by adding up all of the money spent by
consumers, businesses, and the government in a given
period. The formula is: GDP = consumer spending +
business investment + government spending + net exports.
 How To Generate Economic Growth
Increase Physical Capital Goods

The first is an increase in the amount of physical capital goods in the economy.
Adding capital to the economy tends to increase productivity of labor.

Improve Technology

Improved technology allows workers to produce more output with the same stock
of capital goods by combining them in novel ways that are more productive.
Grow the Labor Force
More workers also generate more economic goods and services.

Increase Human Capital

This means laborers become more accomplished at their crafts, raising

their productivity through skills training, trial and error, or simply more
practice.
Increased Welfare and Human Development

Human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s

freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being. Human
development is about the real freedom ordinary people have to decide
who to be, what to do, and how to live.
 Human Development Index (HDI)

A summary measure of average achievement

in key dimensions of human development: a
long and healthy life, being knowledgeable
and having a decent standard of living.
 Human Poverty Index (HPI)

An indication of the poverty of community in a

country, a composite index of poverty that
focuses on deprivations in human lives, aimed
at measuring poverty as a failure in
capabilities in multiple dimensions.
 Human Development Approaches
Income Approach

The income approach to human development is one of the oldest approaches. The
income approach is built around the belief that development is linked to income.
Therefore, the level of income a person has influences their level of freedom.

Capability Approach

Under the capability approach, the key to human development is building human
capabilities in education, health, and accessibility of resources.
Human Development Approaches
Welfare Approach

argues for higher government expenditure in the following sectors- health, education, and
amenities. Under the welfare approach, the government is solely responsible for increasing the
standard of living and promoting development by increasing expenditure on welfare.

Basic Needs Approach

It works to define the absolute minimum resources necessary for long-term physical well-being,
usually in terms of consumption goods. described as consumption-oriented, giving the impression
"that poverty elimination is all too easy."[4] Amartya Sen focused on 'capabilities' rather than
consumption.
Levels of Human Development Approaches

High-Level Development Groups

● These countries are ranked higher because they have invested in priority

sectors like education and healthcare. And developing social sector

infrastructure is an important priority for the governments of these countries.

Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden

 Levels of Human Development Approaches

Middle-Level Development Groups

● Most of these countries were formed after the Second World War. Many of these

countries were either colonised or were formed after the Soviet Union dissolved,

These countries struggled with socio-political and economic instability

Brazil, Mexico, India, Tunisia, Vietnam, and Morocco

Levels of Human Development Approaches

Low-Level Development Groups

● These are smaller countries that are going through socio-political
instability. Many of these countries are either in the middle of a civil
war, famine, or drought
● Examples of lower-level development groups are- Sudan, Liberia,
Afghanistan, Syria, and Pakistan
 Modernization
The transformation from a traditional, rural,
agrarian society to a secular, urban,
industrial society.
 Industrialization
the transformation of a society from one based on
agriculture to one based on manufacturing industries.
It involves the development of new technologies &
factories, which bring about economic and social progress.
Industrialization also has negative effects like pollution,
inequality, etc.
 Rationalization

The replacement of traditional motivators of

actions (religious beliefs, traditions, etc.) with
reason. It is a chief element of socioeconomic
progress as it creates efficient systems (new
technologies, streamlined procedures, etc.) that
increase productivity.
 Urbanization

A process of population movement from rural

areas to cities, which is a key aspect of
modernization. It leads to a more diversified and
industrialized economy while also promoting social
mobility & political vibrancy.
 Elimination of Dependency

Definition of Dependency
● the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or
something else.
● geographical area politically controlled by a distant
country.
 Dependency Theory

Dependency theory is a social and economic theory that

originated in the 1950s and 1960s as a response to the
economic inequalities between developed and developing
countries. It argues that global economic imbalances are a
result of the unequal relationship between core, developed
nations, and periphery, developing nations.
 Elimination of Dependency

The elimination of dependency is a fundamental goal

in development. It centers on reducing reliance on
external assistance and fostering self-sufficiency at
the individual, community, and national levels.
Examples:
Microfinance Initiatives

- Microfinance programs empower individuals in developing countries to start

small businesses. By providing access to credit, financial education, and
training, people can break the cycle of dependency and build sustainable
livelihoods (Yunus, 1999).

- Showcase the success of microfinance programs like the Grameen Bank

model implemented by the CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI)
in the Philippines
 Examples:
Economic Diversification of Nations

Nations like South Korea and Singapore, which once depended heavily on
foreign aid, strategically diversified their economies through industrialization and
export-oriented policies. They reduced dependency on foreign assistance over
time (World Bank, 2021).

The Philippines' efforts to diversify its economy through the promotion of

information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry
(National Economic and Development Authority, 2021).
 Impact and Implications

Economic Self- Reliance: By reducing dependency on external aid and resources,

countries can achieve greater economic self-reliance. This can lead to increased
economic stability and resilience (United Nations Development Programme,
2020).

Enhanced Sovereignty: Reduced dependency can enhance a country's

sovereignty, allowing it to make decisions that align with its national interests
rather than being influenced by external actors (Ferris, 2018).
Participatory Development

Participatory development emphasizes involving local communities and

stakeholders in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

It recognizes that those closest to a problem often have valuable insights and
should be active participants in planning and implementing development projects.
Key Points:

Community Involvement: Local communities are considered experts in their

own context. Their input and perspectives are valued in planning,
implementing, and evaluating projects.

Empowerment: Participatory approaches aim to empower marginalized

communities, giving them control over their development and improving
self-reliance.
Examples:

Participatory Budgeting in Makati City

Highlight Makati City's participatory budgeting process, where

residents have a say in allocating municipal budgets (City
Government of Makati, 2021).
Impacts and Implications

Empowerment of Communities: Participatory development empowers local

communities by involving them in decision-making processes. This can lead to a
sense of ownership, self-efficacy, and improved social cohesion (Rahnema, 1992).

Improved Project Outcomes: Projects designed with input from the affected
communities tend to be more effective and sustainable because they are tailored
to local needs and preferences (Chambers, 1997).
 Sustainable Development
Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It
involves responsible resource management, environmental conservation, and
the promotion of equitable and inclusive growth.

Sustainable development ensures that current actions do not compromise the

ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Example:

Sustainable Development Goal 13

 Impact and Implications

Economic Resilience: Sustainable development strategies often emphasize

diversification and innovation, which can enhance economic resilience in the
face of global challenges (UNIDO, 2019).

Social Well-Being: The social dimension of sustainable development addresses

issues such as poverty reduction, access to education and healthcare, and
social equity, ultimately leading to improved quality of life (UNDP, 2020).
 CONCLUSION

The conceptions and dimensions of development, including the elimination

of dependency, participatory development, and sustainable development,
represent a holistic approach to addressing complex global challenges.
These principles guide the formulation of development policies and
initiatives that prioritize self-reliance, community involvement, and the
well-being of both current and future generations. Embracing these
concepts is crucial for fostering inclusive and sustainable development
worldwide.
 Development as History

Definition of Development:
The word ‘development’ is widely used to refer to a
specified state of advancement or growth. It could also be
used to describe a new and advanced idea or product; or
an event that constitutes a new stage under changing
circumstances
Development as a historical process:
This refers to social change that occurs over
extended periods of time due to inevitable
processes.
 Development as History
Development as history refers to the historical and material evolution of
economic, social, political, and cultural conditions that impact large
groups of people over time. It encompasses significant changes in
societies and civilizations, including their rise, expansion, and
sometimes decline. Development as history recognizes that human
development is a complex, non-linear process with multiple phases,
including development, de-development, and underdevelopment.
 Underdevelopment
is a low level of development characterized by
low real per capita income, wide-spread
poverty, lower level of literacy, low life
expectancy and underutilisation of resources
etc.
 Development as Freedom
Development entails a set of linked
freedoms: political freedoms and transparency
in relations between people. freedom of
opportunity, including freedom to access credit
Enhancement of Freedom as the Ultimate Goal:
Sen gives two reasons why freedom should be the primary
element of development: first, the only acceptable
evaluation of human progress is primarily and ultimately
the enhancement of freedom; second, the achievement of
development is dependent on the free agency of people
How freedom contributes to development:

1. Political freedom: The ability of individuals to participate in the political

process and have a say in how they are governed is essential for
development. This includes the right to vote, freedom of speech, and
freedom of assembly.
2. Economic freedom: The ability of individuals to engage in economic
activity without undue interference from the government or other actors is
also important for development. This includes the right to own property,
start a business, and engage in trade.
 How freedom contributes to development
3. Social freedom: The ability of individuals to live their lives as they see fit,
without undue interference from others, is also important for development.
This includes the right to choose one’s own religion, marry whomever one
chooses, and associate with whomever one wishes.
4. Educational freedom: The ability of individuals to access education and
learn about the world around them is essential for development. This
includes the right to attend school, learn about different cultures and ideas,
and develop critical thinking skills.
How freedom contributes to development:

5. Freedom from discrimination: The ability of individuals

to live their lives without fear of discrimination based on
their race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors is
also important for development. This includes the right to
equal treatment under the law and equal access to
opportunities.
References
What Is Economic Growth and How Is It Measured?

UPSC Note on Human Development Approaches (unacademy.com)

https://measureofamerica.org/human-development/#:~:text=Human%20development%20is%20defined%20as,do%2C%20a
nd%20how%20to%20live

https://www.mdgmonitor.org/what-is-development-guide/

Human Development Index | Human Development Reports

https://helpfulprofessor.com/modernization-theory-examples/
References

https://www.mdgmonitor.org/what-is-development-guide/
Dwivedi, O.P., Khator, R., Nef, J. (2007). A History of Development and Development as History. In:
Managing Development in a Global Context. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230627390_2
Development? Freedom? Whose Development and Freedom? on JSTOR. (n.d.).
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4029879 Amartya Sen’s Development as Freedom: Ten Years Later |
Development Education Review. (n.d.).
https://www.developmenteducationreview.com/issue/issue-8/amartya-sens-develo
pment-freedom-ten-years-later Wikipedia contributors. (2023).
Development as freedom. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_as_Freedom