DEVELOPMENT

Development involves desires or aspirations about what would we like to do or how we would like to live. The development includes freedom, participative involvement, economic equality, security, life with dignity, etc.

Different persons can have different developmental goals, which may not be similar or even maybe conflicting with each other. Similarly, for Nation's development, different persons could have different as well as conflicting notions.

Earning a high income is a goal for development. But it is not the only goal. Apart from income, people also consider other goals for development like equal treatment, freedom, security, and respect of others. Thus for development, they look at a mix of goals.

A simple method of comparing the development of different Nations is total income or National income. But, it does not provide a clear idea about the development of a Nation, because the population of each Nation varies. So, we use average income or per capita income.

Average or per capita income is obtained by dividing the total income by the population of the Nation.

World Bank uses this method for comparing Nations and classifies them into developed and developing Nations. Developed Nations have higher incomes while developing and under-developed Nations have lower incomes.

The average income method hides other aspects of development, such as equality, literacy, infant mortality, healthcare, etc.

Monetary development or more average income may not procure a better life. Money can not buy all the goods and services needed for our well-being. It can not buy a pollution-free environment, un-adulterated medicines, etc. Money may also not be able to protect us from infectious diseases unless the whole of our community takes preventive steps.

Human Development Index is considered the best criterion to compare the level of development in different Nations.

Human Development Index compares Nations based on three parameters: per capita income, life expectancy, literacy rate, and enrolment ratio.

Overuse and excessive exploitation of natural resources for development have created a degradation of the environment and forced us to think about sustainable development. This means, careful use of resources so that they are saved for the future, while fulfilling the needs of the present.