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What is Development?

Development has always been a very broad term. Majority define development as the act or
process of growing or causing something to grow for advancement. Kingsbury et al. (2012) stated that a
“layperson would define development as the use of natural resources to provide public goods and
services such as infrastructure and technology in which it linked set of events”. To expand this, Kingsbury
defines development in two forms – development as a historical progress and development as
modernization. In terms of historical progress, he stated that “it is the unfolding of human history, over
a long period of time, in a manner that is thought to be progressive .” Here, development can be seen as
the improvement of the capabilities of an individual and also the condition of the state. It is vigorous for
the growth of one individual to a certain extent that human agency, as what Kingsbury stated, results to
the systematic renovation of the world. It is not only vital for an individual but also for all. In terms of
development as modernization, Kingsbury defines it as a process whereby societies move through a
structural transition from one condition to another. Huntington supports this by defining modernization
as a process wherein individuals in the society take control over their natural and social resources for
the reason of advancement in technology and knowledge (Huntington, cited by Kingsbury et al., 1971).
Through the definitions stated above, development can be seen in a form of globalization in which
knowledge and technological advancement was expanded ever since both developing and developed
countries were open to free market. Moreover, this can be in a form of human capital development
wherein it focuses more on how individuals empower themselves to become the drivers of the
institutions towards success. With this, economic development is also in place. It fulfills each individual’s
basic needs to develop themselves and may grow to be a successful individual who will be able to help
transform the world to a better one. Through this, development, as a multidimensional process, can be
beneficial to both developed and developing countries which can be seen in the context of globalization,
human capital development, and economic development.

Globalization

Globalization “is a set of economic and political structures and processes deriving from the
changing character of the goods and assets” (Cerny, 2000). It is an unavoidable occurrence that has
transformed the lifestyle of each individual, the operation of sovereign nation-states, and the
cooperation of one state to another. The fact that it is unavoidable means that everyone is affected in
more ways than one. As stated in the former, everyone is affected by this phenomenon be it a
developed country or a developing one. Developed countries are described to be highly industrialized
having a high mass of production and consumption, and high levels of income per capita incomes
whereas a developing country comprises low income, increased percentage of unemployment, and
constant cases of economic turmoil (Kingsbury et al., 2012). Fortunately, globalization paves the way to
the cooperation and interaction of sovereign nation-states in which it has allowed free trade to a certain
extent that trade will inevitably support a particular country to develop. Here, barriers are removed and
it has allowed countries develop in terms of economic and social welfare to foster a better world
economy. An example of which would be the benefits of trade. Benefits include cuts costs of living,
provides more choice of products, raises incomes, stipulates economic growth, and many more (WTO,
n.d.). Here, development is seen in a form of free trade which has allowed different countries to export
or import a variety of goods. In connection to this, developing countries do not have enough resources
to produce more goods since these countries consume more than they can produce compared to the
developed countries. With this, trade will aid developing countries in terms of importing goods from
other countries for consumption. Although importing foreign goods will threaten local businesses and
national reserves, this will still benefit the developing countries to a certain extent that not only will they
rely on their own local goods but also it will provide a more extensive choice of goods (Vesseth, n.d.).

Human Capital Development

Human Capital is being referred to as “processes that relate to training, education and other
professional initiatives in order to increase the levels of knowledge, skills, abilities, values, and social
assets of an employee” (Schultz, cited by Marimuthu et al., 2009). This will lead to the development of
an individual’s fulfillment and performance. In addition, it is the development of a person’s knowledge,
skills, and any other characteristics that aids the establishment of a private, societal and economic well-
being. Through this definition, human capital is vital to the state to a certain extent that they are to
formulate policies that would empower the individual’s capabilities as they contribute to the betterment
of the society. Generally, these policies focuses more on encouraging a high quality of education. With
this, an individual would be able to enhance his knowledge skills and abilities to find a job that fits for his
profession. As the individual develops, he gains more knowledge skills and abilities critical to his role in
his own institution. Through this, he may be able to positively influence the productivity of work in the
institution per se. In the case of developing countries, “a poor country tends to grow faster than a rich
country but only for a given quantity of human capital” (Barro, 1991). As long as high quality of
education is being promoted, more and more individuals were able to attain this will be a major
influence to particular institutions which will also enhance the productivity of their work. This can also
be applied in the context of globalization in which, as stated above, paves the way in providing more job
opportunities for unemployed individuals in the country. It enhances the opportunities offered to those
who have the capabilities to work in other domestic or international corporation that will help them
escape poverty (Rodrik, 2000). In this context, the development of the country is seen through human
capital to a certain extent that it shapes people into productive individuals who will be the main drivers
of certain institutions.

Economic Development

In connection to the latter, human capital focuses more on the enhancement of capabilities of
an individual wherein he or she will be able to contribute to the transformation of the world. But as for
economic development, it focuses more on human development that expands the capabilities of each
individual to live the life they wish. According to Perkins (2013), most people define economic
development as an increase in the material well-being and improvements in basic health and education
of individuals. To add, Sen gave four views of development. One is the state of health wellbeing. This
emphasizes the need for policies (i.e. provision on medicine, support for people with disabilities) to
promote the health of each individuals living in the society. Second would be environment diversities. In
this perspective, the state shall provide policies to protect the environment surrounding them to have a
cleaner and productive place to live. Third is social climate. Sen emphasizes the issues of crime and
violence in which the state shall strengthen and empower their military forces to secure their place. And
lastly would be the differences of relative deprivation and inequality (Sen, cited by Perkins et al., 2013).
The state shall enforce policies that would do away with inequality for the sake of individuals to live the
life they desire. In this sense, the four perspectives mainly focus on the structure of production,
improvement in the environment, or greater economic equality (Perkins et al., 2013). To apply this in
the current situation, the United Nations Development Program has reached its deadline regarding the
millennium development goals this 2015. There have been various reports that several developing and
developed countries were able to meet the target and achieved some of its goals. There were eight
millennium development goals that were achieved by several countries. More specifically the
developing countries who are in need of help to progress. Below are one of the highlights and conditions
of various countries which can be applied to Sen’s views of development. The cases are based on the
millennium development goals report created by the United Nations.
 First goal was the case of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Based on the report the
proportion of undernourished people in the developing regions has fallen from 23.3% in 1990 – 1992 to
12.9% in 2014. In the case of achieving primary education, Sub-Saharan Africa had the best record of
improvement in primary education in any of the regions ever since it was able to achieve a 20% increase
in the net enrolment rate from 2000 to 2015. In addition, the developing regions have achieved the
target to eradicate gender discrepancy in all levels of education. In the case of reducing child mortality,
measles vaccination helped prevent nearly 15.6 million deaths. In terms of improving maternal health,
the report stated that the proportion of pregnant women who received more antenatal visits in North
Africa has increased from 50% to 89% between 1990 and 2014. In terms of combatting diseases, it was
reported that an estimation of over 6.2 million malaria deaths have been prevented between 2000 and
2015 in sub-Saharan Africa. In the case of environmental sustainability, the report stated that terrestrial
and marine protected areas in many regions have improved substantially. As of 2015, 91% the global
population was reported to be using an improved drinking water source. Lastly, as for developing global
partnership, official development assistance from developed countries increased by 66% in real terms
between 2000 and 2014. (United Nations, 2015). Above are the cases presented in the report wherein
various countries were able to meet with the target of the MDG. As observed, development can be seen
in this scenario wherein they were able to improve further as the time progresses. As what Kingsbury et
al as stated, development occurs over time with the help of modernization as each country helps the
other. Furthermore, “this combination of multiple goals, targets, and indicators is an articulation of
what most of the world’s governments believe should be achieved to make development a reality for
everyone” (Perkins et al., 2013). The reports did not only benefit the developing countries but also the
developed ones.

In conclusion, development as a multidimensional process can be beneficial to both developed

and developing countries which can be seen in the context of globalization, human capital development,
and economic development. In terms of globalization, both developed and developing countries will
benefit to a certain extent that an open market and removed barriers allowed them to exchange
resources that will expand the production of industries and bring about an extensive choice of goods for
the consumers. To add, globalization has also give job opportunities to those who are unable to find a
place to work within the borders of their state. In the context of human capital development, this has
contributed to the development of the state as it focuses more on the development of an individual’s
knowledge abilities and skills which will influence certain institutions they are working with for a more
productive work. Furthermore, in the context of economic development, development is observed
through how states, be it a developing or developed, formulate and implement policies that will make
their citizens live productively, provide job opportunities, promote rights to life, liberty and property.
The millennium development goals of 2015 was the example shown above based on the MDG Report of
2015. It presented cases wherein various countries are progressing and were able to meet the target for
the past 25 years. Development can be seen in many perspectives and contexts. It can be observed as
the time progress and how different states develop themselves to become better and more productive.
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Kingsbury et al. (2012). International Development: Issues and Challenges. Chapters 1 & 2. Second
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Marimuthu et al. (2009). Human Capital Development and its impact on firm performance: Evidence
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