2.pptDevelopment
Development- the process of improving the material conditions of people through the diffusion of knowledge and technology
The development process is continuous, involving never-ending actions to constantly improve the health and prosperity of people
Development
- Every place lies at some point along a continuum of development. This continuum can be divided into:
- MDC- more developed countries, or
- LDC- less developed countries.
- Where a country is along the continuum is determined by the Human Development Index which is kept by the UN
Human Development Index
- The HDI measures economic, social and demographic factors
- Countries are rated (scored) and placed along the continuum
- A rate of 1.0 represents 100% in all factors, or, the highest rating
- The lowest current rate is Sierra Leon with a rating of 0.275
HDI – Economic Factors
- Gross Domestic Product- the value of the total output of goods and services produced in a country (per capita)
- Types of Jobs- Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
- (Gross National Income, GNI- is the GDP plus any income that residents receive overseas)
HDI- Social Factors
- Education level
- Literacy rate
- Health/Welfare
HDI – Demographic Factors
- Life expectancy
- Infant mortality
- Natural increase rate
- Crude birth rate
Influences on Development
- Location – landlocked, near market
- Physical Conditions-topography, climate, raw material availability
- Existing Economic Factors-transportation system, infrastructure, debt
- Cultural factors-demographics, education, societal type, political system
Problems from Development
- Dependence upon outside markets
- Cost of technology and machinery
- Unwanted cultural change
- Foreign debt/control by foreign banks
Rostow’s Model for Development
- In the 1960’s Walter Rostow proposed that development was linear. A country was at a particular stage of development.
- There were 4 stages beginning with a Traditional Society and ending in a stage of High Consumption where most people could meet basic needs.
- Finding a progressive leader and making required cultural changes were necessities.
21st Century Strategies
- Structuralist – intervention of government in key areas of production and consumption; often based on import substitution by producing for home market
- Sustainable Development – Progress should not come at the expense of future generations
Sustainable Development
- Partnership with MDC countries on environmental change
- Market mechanisms for environmental regulation
- Resource conservation, renewable resources whenever possible
- Women’s and children’s rights
- Using appropriate technology
- ‘Human Geography in Action’ Kirby, Gabor, Harner
Development in India
- In India each state chooses it’s strategy
- Delhi, Mumbai, Kalata – structuralist; heavy industries like steel and car
- Punjab – Green Revolution
- Karnataka – High Tech
- Kerala – sustainable development; opposes mining, encourages sustainable farming; results mixed
Nunavut
- Created in 1999 Nunavut is a ‘First Nation’ (Native American) self-governing territory within Canada. Canada is only responsible for defense and foreign affairs
- The small population (31,000?) is trying to preserve traditional cultures and languages
- The place of development is strongly debated
