Introduction to International Development and Cooperation

What is development?

Development is the process of change, a positive change, of a given state or group of states and
is involved within the international system, as it is impossible to separate a particular state from
the context of international system in regard to development. The term development is very
intricate to give a single specific definition, because development itself emerged differently
from one generation to another and different theorists viewed development concept quite
different depending on which viewpoints they stand on. However, the study of two major
development perspectives, including European development theory in particular modernization
theory, and neo-Marxist or dependency theory which emerged from the work of Economic
Commission for Latin America (ECLA) may provide insightful views on the development as a
concept.

One the one hand, European development theory posited development is more to capitalism,
and its modernization theory is based largely on the transition from feudalism to capitalism in
Europe. The theory explained development in the 3rd World as a transition between
backwardness and modernity, and the European development theory views the obstacle to
development caused from the internal factors of each state. On the other hand, the ECLA was
the first to criticize against the modernization theory arguing against the endogenous view of
development in favor of a world dimension to all economic processes, and it, the neo-Marxists,
argue that the obstacle to development is structural and lies in the nature of the international
system.

The United Nations, however, does not give a specific definition on development; yet it
emphasizes a strong point on sustainable development Sustainable development is
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: 1) the concept of
'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should
be given; 2) the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization
on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs. And since 2000, the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations has been the most important priority
development project on which both developed countries or donor communities and developing
countries extensively focus as part of their respective development policies and strategies. The
MGDs includes: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education;
promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal
health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and
finally develop a global partnership for development. These 8 goals are expected to be
successfully achieved by the United Nations within the period of 15 years from 2000 to 2015;
however, it seems impossible to achieve these goals by 2015 due to a number of critical
development issues in both developed states and developing states.

September 23, 2014

How do we measure development?

Development can be measured by two most significant keys, the economic development and
human development. The economic development is measured by the growth of wealth or
economy of the country respective to the previous economic growth pattern within the country,
and how the growth is generated in the country. Moreover, the human development,
particularly the Human Development Index (HDI) of the United Nations Development
Programme attempts to draw attention on a border vision of development including the
standard of living such as wealth as well as nutrition, and the quality of life of the people like
health, and leisure. Hence, the human development measures the ability or access the people
have to job, education, nutrition, health, leisure and safety as well as political and cultural
freedom.

Is development the same as growth?

Development and growth are distinct. Growth is purely an economic measurement which can
be determined as a part of the development processes. In contrast, development is a wider
term of social and political as well as economic factors including the fulfillment of human
potential and the satisfaction of basic needs.

Does development eradicate poverty?

It is quite intricate to be completely certain that development can eradicate poverty, given a
variety of complexities of the poverty term involved in each country as well as in the
international system. For instance, the UN in its MDGs could not mention it eradicate poverty,
but eradicate extreme poverty. However, if we look the development term, we somehow could
say development does help eradicate extreme poverty or reduce poverty in the developing
world, because development focuses not only the on the economic growth of the country but
also the human development on the standard of living and quality of life of the population.
Therefore, if development is progressed within the country, it helps to improve the standard of
living of the people which is one of significant elements in poverty reduction policies and
strategies of the country. However, a question asked if a development eradicate poverty in a
country as a whole remained doubted, since development may be one amongst several pivotal
elements to eradicate poverty.

Vatnakoudom SAMITH
IDC

September 23, 2014