2.2.2. Development
Development is a concept and multi-facetted phenomena.
Although its history goes back to the antiquities, development exceptionally
preoccupied states after the Second World War in the late 1940s. These have
since then been efforts for social, political and economic progress all over
the world facilitated by the quick technological evolution.
There are numerous definitions of development. Different
authors have advanced more or less the same arguments pertaining to this rather
wide concept. Below, are some of commonly used definitions:
TAYEBWA (1992:261) states that development is a broad term
which should not be limited to mean economic development, economic welfare or
material wellbeing as per Tayebwa, development in general includes improvements
in economic, social and political aspects of whole society like security,
culture, social activities and political institutions.
According to TODARO (1981:56) refers to development as a
multi-dimensional process involving the reorganization and reorientation of the
entire economic and social systems. He continues to argue that development is a
physical reality and a state of mind in which society has, through some
combinations of social, economic and political process secured the way of
obtaining better life. Similar to the one given by Tayebwa, Todaro?s definition
is applauded for its wider view of the development concept as related to
social, economic as well as political changes in the society.
Nevertheless, a careful analysis reveals that each level, a
country can have different definitions of development. Just because development
is a multi-dimensional process involving qualitative and quantitative changes
in social, political and economic domains of society and it is undertaken
essentially to lead to a better state of life.
According to PERROUX (1978:65), defines development as "the
combination of mental and social changes among the population which decide to
increase its real and global products, cumulatively and in sustainable
manner."
ROGERS (1990:30) adds "development is a long participatory
process of social change in the society whose objective is the material and
social progress for the majority of population through a better understanding
of their environment"
2.2.2.1. Causes of development
It is important to note that, no single "engine" to
development can be found. Specific countries have specific causes to their
development different authors give different arguments to explain the causes of
development.
- Increased savings and investment and acquisition of appropriate
technology ; - Structural transformation of the economy and production;
- Human capital formation and human resource development and;
- Avoidance of unsustainable practices that would reserve the
development process such as corruption;
- A growing foreign trade with close attention to comparative
advantages;
- An economic system that allows for efficient allocation,
including increases in the efficiency of government.
However, HONGEDORN view development process as not mechanical,
automatic or fully predictable and that, although progress in each of the above
areas appears valuable for development, it may not always be a sufficient
condition for growth and development.
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