Introductory assignment

Joakim Jakobsen

1. Discuss briefly different meanings and approaches to development and poverty.

Development can be defined in various ways, depending on whom you ask. There are different
approaches to what the term Development should include. A common interpretation is to talk
about development as an improvement of living conditions for the better. Whether this applies to
individuals or society. Development is often set in the context of economic growth. But
development is more than just a transition from poverty and rural living to better economic
conditions.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has defined development as a process
and expands people's choices and live a dignified life, with prospects and opportunities. Which
include the right to a healthy life, education and political freedom. (UNDP 2013) The definition of
what should be considered as "good" development has many different approaches. In the
aftermath of World War II countries have in a larger scale been divided into different groups
ranked as developed or less developed.
Considering that most of the world's population live in countries that are defined as the Global
South (World Bank, 2009) it will be impossible and not particularly desirable, to have as a goal
that all should attain a Western standard of living. Instead, it should be emphasized achieving
the UN's goals for eradicating extreme poverty, and increase standards of living, relating to as
large number of population as possible.

When is a person considered to be poor? As for development, the definition of poverty has a
wide range of interpretations. It is often easiest, and most practical to measure poverty in
monetary means. The World Bank has drawn up a number of poverty lines, used to assessing
poverty. These methods of measurement can be used to figure out how many individuals or
families, in a country or area that lives only with the bare minimum of means to survive. This
approach however, does not cover the whole picture. A great number of people, have no income
what so ever, but base their supply of food and other necessities of what their small farms give
in foods, and sometimes even some surplus they can trade. Others may not be living in a state
of what defined as below the bare minimum or extreme poverty at the moment, but constantly
live with the risk off fall into poverty, if small changes in their life occur. This can be a situation
that would not be considered life threatening, or even not such a great issue in the Global North.

Like loosing a job, or the need of medical treatment. Poverty like this, is defined as absolute
poverty, and potential poverty, where the needs necessary for survival are covered, but
vulnerability for change is high.

2. How would you portray the difference in viewpoint between: academic writing on
development (Allen & Thomas, and Willis) reports from the UN, and reports written by the
World Bank?
Allen & Thomas (2000) reviewing previous strategies for development as unsuccessful, and
emphasize that we must move away from thinking classical development aid, and rather see
development strategies in light of the current situation. Allen & Thomas (2000) describes the
mindset of supporters of the "post-development" school, such as Sachs and Esteva. (1997)
These believe that previous attempts and strategies for development is strongly influenced by
the US and the countries of the Global North and that it is wrong to use these countries' living
standards as a template of what we should define what is good results for development. Allen &
Thomas (2000) makes clear that there are several good examples of countries that have had a
major development in terms of economic and social parameters for the last 20 years, and has
had a tremendous economic growth rate such as China. But there also are examples of
countries that have experienced little growth or negative economic progress in the same period.
(UNDP, 2013)
Allan & Thomas also refers to the difference between progress and immanent development,
which is term we can use for western development, and intentional development. As efforts,
aimed to achieve higher levels of performance in predefined goals. (Allen & Thomas, 2000)
The UNDP 2013 report highlights many of the same questions as Allen & Thomas (2000). But
emphasizes underlying factors that have been decisive for development. These drivers of
development are: A proactive developmental state, tapping of global markets, and determined
social policy and innovation. This report has a more analytical character, focusing on the way
forward for countries that have experienced strong growth. It also explains the importance of
how other countries in greatest possible extent takes measures and benefit from its neighboring
countries growth. Statistic data also shows what kind of changes, typically have taken place in
regions experiencing domestic growth. This involves in particular the migration of the country's
inhabitants from rural parts, where agriculture have been the main source of income, to densely
populated areas, and cities where prospects of higher income and increased standards of living
are to be found in employment at large factories.

The UNDP Human Development Report explains a change in how wealth, power and influence
will be distributed worldwide. Up and coming economies will have ever more influence in both
economic questions and international policymaking in the years to come.
The World Bank's World Development Report 2013 stresses the importance of the work for
gender equality, and how greater gender equality in a society will improve the economic
conditions when women to get access to areas such as education, labor markets and
economical opportunities. This report, like the UNDP publishment use economic theories to help
identify what the impact of equality between genders can result. The report also emphasizes the
importance of reducing the gender gaps in our time, so that future generations will experience
increased opportunities in both social and economical terms.

3. How can we understand and promote sustainable development?

The worlds population is increasing, and more people will have the need for an access to food,
clean drinking water and consumables, to be part of development. All this is necessary to live a
safe and proper full life. During the past century, technological innovations and research
facilitated that it is now possible to grow crops more efficiently and also require less labor and
land for the cultivation of ever-larger quantities of food. Despite this, nations all over the world
face great challenges as the world's population increases. A Western standard of living is not
sustainable in the long run. A growing number of people are given the opportunity and take for
granted to live on a diet with high levels of meat and other foods less sustainable than what
have been consumed in the past.
As an increasing number of the worlds inhabitants are becoming major consumers of power
and use fuel-driven means of transportation, the environmental pollution is reaching new
heights. Therefore it is important to focus on how we can limit emissions from both the Global
North and countries that are placed in different stages of development.
In 1987 the UN offspring organization The World Comission of Enviroment and Development
published a report commonly known as the "Bruntland report" That described the term
sustainable development as "Development that meets the needs of the presented without
compromising the storability of future generations to meet their own needs (Willis 2011)
In other words, our generation has a huge responsibility not to excessively consume natural
resources, and destroy ecosystems that are both important today and in the future, so that
future generations will have the same conditions as us. This is a massive challenge. Although
the focus on the environment has gradually become a more important subject in international

politics, it requires great efforts to try limit, or reverse already unsustainable operations. This can
be issues like the deforestation of our rainforests or use of coal instead of introducing more ecofriendly alternatives.
For a large portion of the world population, and for the Global North in particular. The transition
from an overuse of the earth's resources, to use less, require major changes in everyday life. It
will require changes in all social levels, and even a greater awareness of greenhouse gas
emissions in countries in the Global North, and international climate agreements, will have little
effect if major new economic superpowers like that of China does not participate heavily. Green,
renewable energy is an asset which are seldom available in developing countries. Energy from
such as wind and hydropower, are both unavailable and associated with higher costs in many
parts of the world. The Global South are also the countries that initially will recognize the effects
of climate change as a result of the Global North and their generations of environmental
degradation. These countries, has greater political and economic challenges which will
exacerbate problems when climate change leads to a more unpredictable climate and natural
disasters. In a country like Bangladesh, almost half the population are currently inhabited in lowlying parts of the country, less than 10 meters above present sea level. (Willis 2011) The
consequences can be fatal for these countries if, or when major changes in sea level occur. One
result will probably be environmental refugees in the millions, and food shortages as a result of
flooding and failed crops.
How to divide responsibility, have been a subject of great debate. A well known example of
disagreement between nations is the Kyoto agreement, where key actors like the US refused to
ratify the agreement, to the annoyance of countries in the Global South. (Willis 2011)
Climate change will have an impact on everyone, and certainly does not know the concepts of
international boarders. Changes in the environment, are in addition very unfair, those who have
not been given a chance to take part in economic development, and be part of an developed
society loaded with abundance, will be the first ones to face the consequences. Not only this,
they also get less opportunity to develop them self, because they must deal with constant new
setback as a result of natural disasters, drought and less will to establish new jobs and invest in
areas affected by climate change.
In order to keep the concept of sustainable development on the agenda, and promote the
necessity for more eco-friendly solutions in international policymaking. The long term effects of
issues such as global warming and excessive draining of natural resources, like oil and coal
must be made a priority in both education, private and public institutions and businesses, and
off course be a focal point when nations meet to make new policies. Another key element is to
agree on international guidelines, and urge private companies, whom is responsible for a large
portions of global emissions and waste, to become more climate-friendly. This can be achieved

in a number of ways, like offer subsidies from public sector in order to make industry less
harmful for the environment. Also by raising public expectations towards private sector, to make
products that are more eco-friendly, and develop more sustainable methods of transport of
those products, will be a part in the move for a better future. An essential element in the task of
raising awareness of these issues is to confront criticism of global warming, with solid
knowledge, and not allow decision makers to be caught up in a business as usual, or "it's not
our problem" state of mind.

Literature:

- UNDP (2013) Human Development Report 2013 Overview: The Rise of the South: Human
Progress in a Diverse World, New York: United Nations Development Programme.
(UNDP) P. 4
- World Bank (2009) World Development Report 2009 Overview: Reshaping economic
geography, Washington D.C.: The World Bank P. 379
- Allen & Thomas (2000) Poverty and development into the 21st Century, Oxford: Oxford
University Press P. 6 + P. 27
- Willis (2011) Theories and Practices of Development, London: Routledge. Pages 178,182,186.