This document discusses the evolution of concepts of development from the post-World War 2 era to present times. It notes that while development was initially conceived as a process for industrializing and modernizing backward countries, the reality is that poverty has increased greatly. The dominant paradigm of development focused on unlimited economic growth, exploitation of nature, and top-down large projects. However, this has led to severe environmental degradation and widening social inequalities. The document proposes alternative approaches centered around human development, sustainable development, and grassroots participation that emphasize meeting basic needs rather than unlimited growth.

1. The Concept of Development
Then & Now
Policy Prescription for Sustainable Development
An Academic Presentation, Kathmandu,
Nepal
2014
Rajendra P Sharma, A Social Anthropologist and Planner
Interested in Urban Rural Relations, Linkages and Planning
rpsharma@mailcity.com

2. Development began with the humanity, but
 In an organized way, it started
late ……… !
Development influenced by
 Mobility
 Technology
 Industry
 Research
 Information
 Education
 Industry
 Innovation

3. Development is a process and it goes on
…………….. !
Idea and concept of development is also being
changed throughout !!

4. Changing idea and concept of
development: Some mile-stones

5.  The idea of ‘development’ was invented in the post-
Second World War world, to describe the process by
which ‘backward’ countries would ‘catch up’ with the
industrialized world – with the help of bilateral and
multilateral aid and assistance.
 More than six decades later, the concept of
‘development’ has created a virtual industry!
 However, the reality is that the numbers of poor
people in whose name ‘development’ is justified –
are greater than they were, when the concept was
invented!

6.  According to one estimate: Ten million people a year,
worldwide, suffer forced displacement from the
construction of dams & urban transportation systems
alone.
 The numbers compare to the 12 million refugees
annually displaced by wars and other disasters.
 But refugees may one day go home. The
development-displaced can never do that!
 According to the World Commission on Dams, up to
80 million people around the world have been

7. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
A. Purpose of Development
 Transformation of traditional, agrarian, backward
economies and societies,
into
industrial, commoditized, modern ones.

8. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
B. Basic Assumptions
 Endless conversion of resources into goods and
services.
 Use of Science and Technology to make conversion
more productive and efficient.
 Possibility of unlimited growth in a Free-Market
system.
 Domination and exploitation of Nature.
 Philosophy of Social Darwinism:
- Man is the most highly evolved of all

9. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
C. Process
 Top-down.
 Reliance on Western knowledge, science and
technology.
 Large investments in large projects.
 External control.

10. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
D. Measurement
 Economic activity:
- Production and Consumption of resources.
 Industrial development.
 GNP/GDP.
 Per Capita Income

11. Dominant Paradigm of Development
Consequences
A. Ecological Impact
 Environmental Degradation.
 Global Warming.
 Climate Change.

12. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
Consequences
B. Widening Divides
 North-South Divide.
 Industry-Agriculture Divide.
 Urban-Rural Divide.
 Rich-Poor Divide.

13. Dominant Paradigm of
Development
Consequences
C. Social Impact
 Poverty.
 Insecurity.
 Tension.
 Crime.
 Communalism.
 Fundamentalism.
 Terrorism.

14.  Today, after more than 60 unprecedented years of
rapidly growing global prosperity, about 3 billion
people worldwide survive on less than $1.25 a day!
 This is a greater number than the entire world
population in 1950!
 So , ‘Development’ today, is too often experienced,
not as opportunity, but as damage, perhaps even as
disaster!

15. Right to Development (RTD) as a Basic
Human Right
 RTD was formally recognized as an international
Human Right, when the United Nations adopted
the Declaration on the Right to Development on
4th December 1986.
 Significantly, there was a lone dissenting voice,
that of the US, and six abstentions!

16. UN Declaration on the Right to
Development,1986
 “The Right to Development is an inalienable
Human Right by virtue of which every human
person and all peoples are entitled to participate
in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social,
cultural and political development, in which all
Human Rights and fundamental freedoms can be
fully realized.” (Article 1)

17. 5 Major Arguments of the RTD
1. The Right to Development is an inalienable Human Right.
(Article 1)
2. A. The human person is the central subject of
development.
B. S/he should be the active participant and beneficiary of
the RTD. (Article 2.1)
3. States have the duty to formulate appropriate
development policies that aim at the constant
improvement of entire population and of all individuals.
(Article 2.3)
4. States shall ensure:
(a) Equality of opportunity for all in their access to basic
resources, education, health, food, housing,
employment, income;
(b) That women have an active role in the development

18. Alternative Paradigm of
Development
A. Purpose of Development
 Creation of sustainable economies and societies,
based on non-violence, love, cooperation,
harmony, contentment, and fulfillment of need, not
greed.

19. Alternative Paradigm of
Development
B. Basic Assumptions
 Sustainable production and consumption.
 Use of Appropriate Technology.
 An understanding that growth can never be
unlimited.
 Human activity to be in balance with Nature.
 Philosophy of Ecologism:
- Man is one among other species on this planet.
- Peaceful co-existence of all species.

20. Alternative Paradigm of
Development
C. Process
 Bottom-up.
 Reliance on Traditional Knowledge and Appropriate
Technology.
 Small investments in small projects.
 Democratic inclusion and participation of all.
 Local control.

21. Alternative Paradigm of
Development
D. Measurement of Development
 Fulfillment of basic material and non-material needs of all.
 Constant check on the condition of the natural environment,
through techniques like:
- Environmental Resource Accounting and Auditing.
 Empowerment of the marginalized.
 Rural Development:
- Condition of the village.
- Condition of rural/cottage industries.
 Human Development Index.
 Gender Development Index.

22. Essentials/Non-Negotiables of
Development
 Holistic – Balanced, Comprehensive, Inclusive.
 Indigenous/Self-Reliant.
 Need-based, not Greed-based.
 Sustainable.
 Humane.

23. What is Development?
“It is not simply a question of economic growth, food
production, modern equipment or technology transfer.
Development is about people. It is humanity in all its
dimensions, in full possession of dignity, and
individual rights…
… It is humanity developed in all its capacities of
imagination, creativity, choice, decision-making,
and of responsibility to its natural and social
environment…”

24. Human Development
“Human Development is concerned with
advancing the richness of human life, rather than
the richness of the economy in which human
beings live.”
- Amartya Sen

25. Human Development
 ‘Human Development’ presents a model of
inclusive development.
 The objectives of ‘Human Development’ are:
- Widening people’s choices;
- Improving lives.

26. Human Development
Basic Assumptions
 Development must put people at the centre of its
concerns.
 The purpose of Development is to enlarge all human
choices, not just income.

27. Human Development
 The concept is based on a calculation of 3
essential elements:
- Income,
- Education, and
- Health.

28. Human Development Indices
Four main Human Development Indices have been
developed by the Human Development Reports:
1. Human Development Index (HDI)
- Combines indicators of Life Expectancy, Educational
attainment and Per Capita Income into a composite
Human Development Index.
2. Gender Development Index (GDI)
- Takes note of inequality between Men and Women.
- Imposes a penalty for inequality.
- The greater the gender disparity, the lower a country’s
GDI, compared with its HDI.

29. Human Development Indices …. cont
3. Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM)
- Examines gender equality in economic and political
participation and decision-making.
4. Human Poverty Index
 Does not measure poverty by income, but by the
most basic dimension of deprivation
- a short life;
- lack of basic education; and
- lack of access to public and private
resources.

30. Human Development Reports
 The first Human Development Report was
launched in 1990, and has become an annual
feature, since then.
 The Human Development Report is an
independent report, commissioned by the UNDP.
 It is a product of a team of scholars, initially led by
Mahbub-ul-Haq of Bangla Desh.

31. Human Development Report
1.Norway
2. Australia
3. Iceland
4. Canada
5. Ireland
6. Netherlands
7. Sweden
8. France
9. Switzerland
10. Japan
11. Luxembourg
12. Finland
92. China.
102. Sri Lanka
132. Bhutan
134. India
141.
Pakistan
13. United States of America
144.
Nepal
Country Rankings, 2009

32. Sustainable Development
 Loss of Forest Cover
 Extinction of Species
 Reduced Soil Fertility
 Atmospheric Pollution
 Pollution of Water Bodies
 Depletion of Ground Water
 Desertification
 Acid Rain
 Depletion of
Ozone Layer
 Greenhouse
Effect
 Global Warming
 Climate Change
Context:
Sorry State of the Environment Today

33. Sustainable Development
Origins
 The origin of the term can be traced to the
establishment of the World Commission on
Environment and Development (WCED) by the
United Nations General Assembly in 1982.

34. … Origins of Sustainable
Development
 Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland was appointed
Chairperson of the WCED.
 The WCED came to be popularly referred to as the
‘Brundtland Commission’.
 The Commission submitted its Report, ‘Our
Common Future’ in April 1987.

35. Sustainable Development
Definition
According to the WCED/Brundtland Commission
Report of 1987:
Sustainable development is development that meets
the needs of the present, without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.”

36. Brundtland Commission Approach to
Sust. Development
 Links environmental degradation with man-made
interventions.
 Takes a positive attitude towards development.
 Economic development and environmental
protection can be mutually compatible goals.
 Recognizes that there are ultimate bio-physical
limits to growth.

37. Brundtland to Sust. Development
(contd.)
 Recognizes that the planetary eco-system cannot
sustain the high consumption rates of the
industrialized countries.
 Maintains that consumption patterns of the North
are driven by greed, not need.
 Acknowledges the responsibility of the present
generation to future generations.

38. Policy Prescriptions for Promoting
Sustainable Development
1. Structural Sustainability
 Establishment of structures and institutions to
promote Sustainable Development.
2. Industrial Sustainability
 Creation of circular industrial eco- systems.
 Designing products for needs.

39. Policy Prescriptions …….. (contd.)
3. Agricultural Sustainability
 Promotion of:
- Polyculture
- Agro-Ecology
- Organic Farming
4. Urban Sustainability
 Planning, guiding and regulating the built
environment, based on ‘carrying capacity’.
 Conservation of lakes, trees, parks/gardens.
 Treatment of wastewaters prior to disposal into rivers,
lakes or the sea.

40.  An effective water management plan, with the
following components:
- Rainwater Harvesting;
- Encouraging conservative use;
- Paying realistic prices;
- Better maintenance and leakage prevention.

41. Policy Prescriptions (contd.)
5. Forest Sustainability
 Ensuring retention of minimum forest cover.
 Co-ordination of authorities responsible for forest
management functions.
 Making tribal and forest dwellers stakeholders in
forest management and preservation.
6. Energy Sustainability
 Shift to alternative, renewable sources of energy.
 Encouraging change in lifestyles.
 Introducing energy efficiency standards.
 Elimination of subsidies; levy of energy taxes.

42. Requirements for Promoting Sust.
Development
 Need to re-cast our vocabulary.
 Need to change our materialistic culture.
 Need to change our educational system.
 Need to change our value systems.

43. “The earth has enough for every (hu)man’s need,
but not for every (hu)man’s greed!”
- Mahatma Gandhi

44. Thank you so much !