Class : X Div : _____ Subject : Social Science (ECONOMICS)

Chapter 1 - DEVELOPMENT (Notes)

Name : ___________ Roll No. -____ Date :
______________________________________________________________________

EXERCISES :

1. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countrie
s? What are the limitations of this criterion, if?
Ans : a) In the World Development Reports, brought out by the World Bank has used th
e criterion of average income or per capita income in classifying different countries.
b) The average income or the per capita income is the total income of the country divided
by its population.

According to the World Development Report, countries are classified as mentioned

below :

i) Countries with per capita income of US$ 12,056 per annum and above in 2017, are call
ed rich countries.
ii) Those with per capita income of US$ 955 or less are called low-income countries.
iii) India comes in the category of low middle income countries because its per capita inc
ome in 2017 was just US$ 1820 per annum.
iv) The rich countries, excluding countries of the Middle East and certain other small cou
ntries, are generally called developed countries.

Limitations of the criterion are as mentioned below :

1. It does not tell us how this income is distributed among people. A country may ha
ve a more equitable distribution. People may be neither very rich nor extremely po
or.
2. In another country with the same average income, one person may be extremely ri
ch while others may be very poor. So, the method of average income does not give
the correct picture of a country.
3. This system hides disparities among people.

2. In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development dif
ferent from the one used by the World Bank?
Ans : In the World Development Reports, brought out by the World Bank has used the cr
iterion of average income or per capita income in classifying different countries.

According to the World Development Report, countries are classified as mentioned belo
w:

i) Countries with per capita income of US$ 12,056 per annum and above in 2017, are call
ed rich countries.
ii) Those with per capita income of US$ 955 or less are called low-income countries.

i) The UNDP compares countries based on HDI i.e., on the educational levels of the peop
le, their health status and per capita income or average income.
ii) Human Development Index used by UNDP is better because it is a wider indicator in
which besides per capita income, health and education are also included.

3. Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your o
wn examples related to the development.
Ans : We use averages for comparison between two countries, two persons or any two or
more things.

There are the following limitations to the use of averages :

1) Averages do not tell us about similarities or differences between two countries or p
ersons or things.
2) By averages only one aspect income, size etc. in case of country, marks or particip
ation in sports activities etc. in case of student, can be compared. All aspects or ac
hievements are not compared.
3) As only one aspect is compared, it does not give a true picture of different countrie
s, persons or things.

For example, students differ in height, health, talents and interests. The healthiest student
may not be the most intelligent or topper in studies. Similar is the case in respect of or sta
tes. A country may be ahead than the other country in one field but may lag behind in the
other field. So averages do not give the correct picture.

4. Kerala, with lower per capita income, has a better human development ranking than Pu
njab. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to co
mpare states. Do you agree? Discuss.
Ans : It is correct to say that per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should n
ot be used to compare states due to reasons as mentioned below :
a) Money cannot buy all the goods and services that you need to live well. Income by
itself is not a completely adequate indicator of material goods and services that citi
zens are able to use.
 b) There cannot be a pollution-free environment in a colony of rich people unless the
whole community takes preventive steps.
c) Sometimes, it is better to have collective services like security for the whole localit
y than to have individual security for one’s own house. Again a school may be ope
ned for the children of the whole community rather than for one or two children of
a rich person.
d) Kerala has a better human development ranking than Punjab.
e) In Kerala, Infant Mortality Rate is 11 in comparison to 49 in Punjab, where the per
capita income is much more than Kerala. It is Rs. 26000 whereas in Kerala it is Rs.
22800. It is because Kerala has adequate basic health and educational facilities.
f) Similarly in some states, the Public Distribution System (PDS) functions well and
people get ration regularly whereas in some states ration shops do not function pro
perly. At such places, people face a shortage of grains that affect their health. Thus,
it is clear that the states should not be compared on the basis of per capita income
alone.

5. Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could
be the other possibilities fifty years from now?
Ans : a) The present sources of energy that are used by the people of India are electricity,
coal, crude oil, cow dung and solar energy.
b) Other possibilities fifty years from now, could include ethanol, bio-diesel, nuclear ener
gy and better utilization of wind energy, especially with the imminent danger of oil resou
rces running out.

6. Why is the issue of sustainability is important for development?

Ans : a) Sustainable development means that development should meet the needs of the p
resent without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
b) However, since the second half of the twentieth century, a number of scientists have be
en warning that the present type and levels of development are not sustainable.
c) The issue of sustainable development has emerged from rapid industrialization of the
world in the past century. It is felt that economic growth and industrialization have led to
the reckless exploitation of natural resources.
d) On the other hand, the stock of natural resources is limited. So, the growth of all countr
ies in the future is likely to be endangered if the limited resources are completely exhaust
ed.
e) Under these circumstances, the issue of sustainability has become important for develo
pment. A number of resources are being overused. For example, groundwater is under ser
ious threat of overuse in many parts of the country i.e., Punjab, Haryana and western U.P.
The water level has declined over 4 meters. As a result of it if we go on overusing there w
ill be a water crisis in future.
f) Similarly, if non-renewable resources are used recklessly these will also be exhausted.
7. “The Earth has enough resources to meet the need of all but not enough to satisfy the g
reed of even one person.” How is this statement relevant to the discussion of developmen
t? Discuss.
Ans : a) This statement is relevant to the discussion of development since both resources
and development go hand in hand.
b) As the statement claims, our earth has enough resources – renewable and non-renewab
le to satisfy everyone’s needs if we use them in an economic manner.
c) For the sustainability of development, the consumption and maintenance of resources i
s also crucial. We have to use the resources keeping our environment protected and clear
so that there is a balance between the development and use of our resources. As otherwise
after a certain point of time in future the development will be stagnated.

8. List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around
you.
Ans : Some of the examples of environmental degradation in the area are as follows :
a) Air pollution has increased due to the emission of smoke from factories and vehicl
es.
b) There is an increase in water pollution due to shops and small factories in residenti
al areas.
c) There is noise pollution due to the use of loudspeakers at night and blowing of hor
ns unnecessarily on the roads by different vehicles.
d) People throw garbage wherever they want. Perhaps there is no provision for dustbi
ns in the streets or roadsides.
e) Sometimes people urinate in the open on the roadside due to a lack of public conve
niences.

9. Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these fa
milies is Rs. 5000. If the income of three families is Rs. 4000, Rs. 7000
and Rs. 3000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family?
(i) Rs. 7500
(ii) Rs. 3000
(iii) Rs. 2000
(iv) Rs. 6000

Ans : Average income = Total income of the area / Total population of that area

Total income of four families = 5000 x 4 = 20000

Total income of three families = 4000 + 7000 + 3000 = 14000
Income of the fourth family = 20000-14000 = 6000

So, the income of the fourth family is Rs. 6000

 EXTRA QUESTIONS :

1. What may be the development for one may be the destruction for the other.” Expla
in the statement with appropriate examples.
Ans : Yes, it is true that what may be called development for some may turn out to be des
truction for the others.
a) For example, the Sardar Sarovar dam built over the Narmada river led to a major e
vacuation of the tribes near the Narmada river and as a result the tribes lost their la
nd and homes. This development of Sardar sarovar dam turned out to be a destruct
ion for the tribes.
b) Another example, On the border of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, in the Sin
grauli region, over 200,000 people have been displaced on different occasions.
c) First by the Rihand dam, then by a series of thermal power plants of the National
Thermal Power Corporation. Singrauli has illuminated the lives of many in the urb
an centres, but has seen its natives groping in endless darkness, grappling to overc
ome the trauma of displacement. So the development in Singrauli led to destructio
n of its people.
d) Multinational companies take away the land of the farmers for the construction of i
ndustries. It may be beneficial for boosting production but at the same time it caus
es loss of cultivable land and livelihood of the farmers. Various movements have b
een launched against the acquisition of land from the farmers.

2. What is Development?
Ans : a) Development is a comprehensive term which includes increase in per capita inco
me of the nation and decrease in inequalities, poverty, illiteracy and diseases.
b) In other words Development means the growth of an economy along with improvemen
t in non-economic goals such as health, education, peace etc.

3. What is National Development?

Ans : National development means development of the nation. It refers to the abilities of
the nation to improve the lives of citizens that is the living standard of the people by prov
iding social amenities like education,medical care, social services, etc and increase the so
urce of resources and spread the Democratic rights .

4. What is meant by economic development? What are the two bases of measuring the ec
onomic development of a country?
Ans : a) Economic development means the rate of production is greater than the rate of in
crease in population and the rate of growth of GDP is high enough to fulfill the basic nee
ds of the population.
b) It is an effort to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community
by creating or retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes.
c) It is the increase in the growth and welfare of people,that is the improvement of the qu
ality of life of the people.

5. What are the two bases of measuring development of a country ?

Ans : Two bases of measuring development of a country are :
(i) Average or per capita income.
(ii) National income and public facilities.

6. Why is Per Capita Income calculated in the US dollars?

Ans : The Per Capita Income is calculated in the US dollars because –
● The US dollar is considered as the medium of international exchange.
● It is accepted as a method of payment across the world.

7. “People have conflicting development goals”. Support the statement with a suitabl
e example.
Ans : ● It is true to say that people have conflicting developmental goals. What may be t
he development for one may not be for the other.
● Different people have different interests, life situations and state of mind. They visualiz
e things, actions etc. according to their level of understanding.
● For example, the construction of a flyover to reduce the congestion and traffic jams ma
y be a development goal especially for the daily commuters. But for the construction of th
e flyover, surrounding houses, shops, etc. need to be demolished which may not be like b
y the occupants of these shops and houses. This may not be a development goal for them.

8. “Money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well”. Do you agr
ee with this statement? Justify your answer with any three suitable arguments.
Ans : Yes, we agree with the statement that money cannot buy all the goods and services
that one needs to live well because of the following reasons :

● Money can buy things that can be one factor on which our life depends like food. But t
he quality of non-material things like freedom, security and respect cannot be bought wit
h money.
● We cannot buy a pollution free environment, unadulterated medicines and peace with
money.
● Schools, colleges, parks, hospitals, etc. are the facilities which cannot be run individual
ly. There has to be a collective effort of team work between the government or society in
providing these to the general public.

9. Give any two common developmental goals of the people.

Ans : Social equality, freedom, peace, pollution-free environment, improved health and li
teracy levels, awareness and control on population are common development goals of the
people.

● Explain the calulation of BMI.

BMI or Body Mass Index is calculated by taking the following steps:

Step No. 1: Weight of person in kilogram and height in meters is taken.

Step No. 2: Divide the weight by the square of the height.

Formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²

Step No. 3: If height is in centimeters convert into meters by multiplying the given
centimeter value by 0.01 meters. For example, to convert 17 cm to m, multiply 17
by 0.01, we get 0.17

Step No. 4:

1. Suppose an individual's body weight is 70 kg and his/her height is 1.60 m. N

ow compute these values and what is his/her weight status?
Ans:
Formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²
BMI = 70 / (1.60 x 1.60)
= 70 / 2.56
= 27.34 kg/m²

So, the person's BMI is 27.34 kg/m² and is overweight.

2. Suppose an individual's body weight is 60 kg and his/her height is 152 cm.

Now compute these values and what is his/her weight status?
Ans:
Formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²

Height convert from cm to m - 152 centimeters × 0.01 = 1.52 meters square of he

ight: (1.52 x 1.52) m² = 2.31 m²

Weight - 60 kilograms

BMI = 60 / 2.31
= 25.96 kg/m²

So, the person's BMI is 25.96 kg/m² and is overweight.

(*Note : Follow recent figures as per the new printed textbook.)

*********************