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Understanding Development

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12 views3 pages

Understanding Development

My library

Uploaded by

stevenmaputa26
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Understanding Development

What is Development?

Development has been considered to have different meanings depending on the context
of its use.

Generally development is regarded as a positive change from a relatively low stage to a


higher or advanced stage.

Some scholars have attempted to define development as a process of structural societal


change or historical change. In this regard development would mean a societal shift eg.
From agricultural based society to industrial based society. A shift from traditional to
modern society.

Yet other scholars see a linkage between development and freedom that means without
freedom there is no development and without development freedom is lost.

Development in this regard is a process which enables people to realize their potential,
have self-confidence and lead a dignified life. Therefore development brings freedom
provided it is development of people.

In a nutshell development should free people from political, social and economic
oppression.

Political Development

Political development refers to mass participation and multiparty politics, the assumption
being that society would form various independent political organizations to fight for the
interests of its members.

In political development there is also respect for merit in assuming political position as
opposed to chiefdoms where it comes as a birth right. Therefore elections are expected
to be free and fair.

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Rule of law characterizes politically developed societies. There is also separation of
power between the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.

Social Development

Social development basically refers to citizens having equal access to the necessities of
life. A socially developed society guarantees its members of decent clothing, food and
shelter.

Social development also includes equal access to social services such as education,
health, communication, recreation and job opportunity.

To guarantee the above however, the society has to have developed economically.

Economic Development

Production is necessary for the existence of any society. It is through production that a
society is able to meet the basic necessities of its members such as food, clothing, shelter,
education and health services.

Economic development requires industrialization and use of advanced science and


technology. The use of technology enhances productivity and ability of a society to
provide basic necessities for its people.

An economically sound society produces surplus which is vital for further development of
that society. Surplus could be used as a reserve or savings which the society could
reinvest for future expansion.

Economic development therefore refers to the capacity of a society to produce a greater


gross national product (GNP) and the society’s capability to save a considerable
proportion of its production for further expansion.

Economic growth is also a necessary condition for social development since equal access
can only be attained where there is production of sufficient goods and services.

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Reflection Questions

1. Examine the significance of social development


2. Tanzania held its first multi-party elections in October 1995. Does this make the
country politically developed?
3. Discuss the essence of economic development.
4. What are development indicators?

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