Economic Development Assessment
Economic Development Assessment
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
COMBINATION: EEE
YEAR:3
GDP: is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a
country in a given period of time; Y=C+I+G+ XN.
GNP: is the market value of all final goods and services produced by
permanent residents of a country in a given period of time. GNP= GDP+ net
factor income from abroad.
3. Social Measurement
Human development indices
Economists have tried to measure social indicators of basic needs by taking
one, two or more indicators for constructing composite indices of human
development. We study below the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)
of Morris and the Human Development Index (HDI) as developed by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
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in the quality of life when people enjoy the fruits of economic progress with
increase in life expectancy (LE), fall in infant mortality rate (IMR) and rise in
basic literacy rate (BLR).
The PQLI index is calculated by averaging the three indicators giving equal
weight to each and the index is also scaled from 0 to 100.
If the indicators of life expectancy and basic literacy rate are positive, the
best performance is shown as the maximum and the worst as the minimum
For life expectancy and infant mortality rate, there is no natural maximum
and minimum value. But there is need to select the right values.
Example
3
Construction of physical quality of life index (PQLI)
On the basis of the values of the component indicators given in Table 1, we
can construct the PQLI on the basis of the three indices in the following
manner:
Actual value−38
Life expectance index=
Max . value−min value
229−Actual value
Infant mortality rate index=
Max . value−min value
Actual value−0
Basicliteracy index=
Max . value−min value
We calculate the PQLI for India on the basis of 2001 Census data for these
variables: IMR = 67, LE = 65 years, and BL = 65%.
229−67
Inf ant mortality rate index= =0.74
229−9
65−38
Life expectance index= =0.69
77−39
65−0
Basicliteracy index= =0.65
100−0
2.08
= =0.69
3
Thus, the physical quality of life index (PQLI) for India in 2001 was 0.69
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Knowledge - Education
For the construction of the index, fixed minimum and maximum values have
been set for each of these indicators:
(i) Life expectancy at birth: 25 years and 85 years for calculating the
Life expectancy Index.
(ii) Adult literacy: 0% and 100% for calculating the education Index.
(iii) Combined gross enrolment ratio (0% and 100%)
(iv) Real GDP per capita (PPP$): $100 and $40,000 (PPP US$) for
calculating GDP Index.
78−25 53
Life expectancy index= = =0.884
85−25 60
5
92−0 92
Adult literacy index= = =0.920
100−0 100
If the combined gross enrolment in this country is 60, then its gross
enrolment index would be
60−0 60
Gross enrolment Index= = =0.600
100−0 100
Education Index=2/3( Adult literacy index ¿ +1/3(
Gross enrolment Index )
=2/3(0.920) +1/3(0.600) =0.813
3. GDP Index. The GDP per capita (PPPUS$) of this country is $8,840,
then the GDP index would be
1 1 1
HDI = ( 0.884 ) + ( 0.813 ) + ( 0.856 )
3 3 3
=0.295+0.271+0.285=0.851
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High savings and investments in infrastructure, technology, and education
ensure sustained economic growth and productivity in developed nations.
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making it a basic objective for backward economies but less critical for
affluent ones.
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Factors Affecting Economic Growth
A. Economic Factors
1. Technological Progress
2. Natural Resources
3. Capital Formation
4. Population Growth
B. Non-Economic Factors
1. Political Factors
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Stable governance, sound policies, and effective institutions foster economic
growth by creating a conducive environment for investment and
development. Political instability or corruption, however, hampers progress.
3. Education
4. Religious Factors
Religious beliefs can influence work ethic, saving habits, and attitudes
toward change, either facilitating or impeding growth. Societies with tolerant
and progressive religious practices often experience faster economic
development.
4. Agricultural Constraint
The Kuznets hypothesis deals with the issue whether economic growth
increases or decreases inequality in income distribution.
It states that, “in the early stages of economic growth relative income
inequality increases, stabilizes for a time and then declines in the later
stages”. This is known as Kuznets Inverted U-shaped Hypothesis of
income distribution.
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The Kuznets inverted U-shaped Curve K traces the changes in
distribution of income (as measured by Gini Coefficient) in relation the
increase in per capita income. As shown in Fig.2. The income inequality falls
with an increase in the per capita income.
Gini Coefficient
12
The following diagram shows the graph of a typical inverted U-shaped
Kuznets curve.
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it. There is also an influx of inexpensive rural labour to the cities
(Urbanisation), which keeps wages down for the working class because of an
increase in labour supply (higher urban population ). This widens the gap
between the rich and the poor, leading to an increase in income inequality.
So, the initial increase in income inequality can be attributed to factors such
as the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals or groups,
the unequal distribution of resources, and urbanisation.
The factors which tend to increase relative income inequality in the early
stages of development are:
3. Urban Bias: There is urban bias in the allocation of financial resources for
development on the part of government. As a result, the rural economy
remains backward with underemployment and disguised unemployment and
low per capita income.
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Kuznets gave the following two reasons for the reduction in inequality
2. Economic Diversification
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In mature economies, the return on investments, such as land, property, or
other traditional forms of capital, declines.
Increased bargaining power for workers leads to higher wages, reducing the
income share retained by business owners and capitalists.
CRITICISM
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basis of data taken by Kuznets. Kuznets takes a very small sample of
developed and developing countries. Critics opine that his analysis is
based on 5% empirical data and 95% speculation.
Todaro also finds fault with the methodology used by economists to
test the Kuznets hypothesis. The time-series data being not available
for most LDCs, economists use cross-sectional data. Using cross-
sectional data for a time-series phenomenon for drawing conclusion is
basically wrong. In a recent study, Anand and Kanbur (1993) have
shown that the choice of data as the measure of inequality may lead to
U-relationship between income inequality and development, inverted-U
relationship or no relationship at all.
MEANING
There are many definitions of sustainable development, but the most popular
definition is by the Brundtland report. It said that the sustainable
development is meeting the needs of present generation without
compromising the needs of future generation.
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Again, Sustainable development is a long-term perspective on how humanity
can improve the quality of life for all people, now and into the future.
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and services at lower cost. It also promotes innovation, which
generates jobs and increases wages.
Preserving cultural diversity: Cultural diversity is one of the five
objectives of sustainable development. As culture changes, it can be
lost forever if not preserved. Preserving cultural diversity is an
especially big concern for indigenous cultures. According to the World
Heritage Encyclopedia, many factors contribute to indigenous cultures
being threatened by globalization and climate change. For example,
the erosion of language, traditions, and traditional knowledge are all
possible threats to Indigenous Peoples’ cultures today.
Protecting the environment: As outlined by the United Nations
Development Programme, sustainable development is about protecting
the environment. It’s about conserving what we have so that future
generations can thrive.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)
On September 25, 2015, many countries adopted the UN's 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, which includes 17 goals and 169 targets. This plan
aims to ensure a sustainable future for both humanity and the planet. It
builds upon the previous Millennium Development Goals (2006-2015) set by
the UN.
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Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and
halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable
development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the
global partnership for sustainable development
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
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Pollution: Pollution manifests in various forms of air, water, noise, and
land pollution. Air pollution comes from vehicle emissions and
industrial discharges; water pollution from agricultural runoff and
plastic waste, and soil contamination from hazardous waste disposal.
This affect ecosystem and human being.
Overpopulation: Overpopulation exacerbates environmental
problems by increasing demand for resources such as water, food, and
energy. This leads to resource depletion and Increasing consumption.
Increasing populations, put much pressure on environment by
exploiting natural resources.
In summary, these environmental problems are deeply interconnected with
human activity driving many of them forward at an alarming rate. Addressing
these issues requires coordinated global efforts aimed at reducing emissions,
conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices in industries like
fashion and agriculture, and improving governance around
resource management.
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displace subsistence crops which are subsequently grown on marginal
lands. They also export minerals by exploiting them recklessly, thereby
depleting them at a great cost to future generations.
Deforestation: Deforestation involves the permanent removal of
trees for agricultural expansion, urban development, or logging. This
practice severely impacts ecosystems by reducing biodiversity and
disrupting the water cycle. Trees play a crucial role in maintaining
ecological balance; their removal leads to increased carbon emissions,
soil erosion, and altered weather patterns.
Agricultural Development: Agricultural development in
underdeveloped countries has been a major factor in environmental
degradation. Intensive farming and excessive use of fertilizers and
pesticides have led to over exploitation of land and water resources.
These have led to land degradation in the form of soil erosion, water
logging and salination.
Industrialization: To industrialize rapidly, underdeveloped countries
are causing environmental degradation. The establishment of such
industries as fertilizers, iron and steel, chemicals, refineries, etc. has
led to land, air and water pollution. The use of fossil fuel, minerals and
timber as sources of industrial energy is depleting these natural
resources and degrading natural eco-systems.
Transport Development: Underdeveloped countries are developing
transport facilities for the expansion of trade and commerce. But they
are also bringing about environmental degradation in the form of air
pollution, noise pollution and sea pollution. The development of ports
and harbors have led to oil spills from ships and adversely affected
fisheries, coral reefs, mangroves and landscape.
Urbanization: Rapid and unplanned urbanization has led to
degradation of urban environment. Slums and shanty towns pollute air
and water and generation of solid and hazardous wastes have
contributed to environmental degradation on a vast scale.
Economic Factors/ Market failures: can contribute significantly to
environmental degradation when there is insufficient economic
incentive to protect natural resources or invest in sustainable
practices. Unsustainable economic development models often prioritize
short-term gains over long-term environmental health.
In summary, the causes of environmental degradation are multifaceted and
interconnected, involving social issues like poverty and urbanization;
ecological concerns such as deforestation; climatic changes; soil and water
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quality deterioration; and economic factors that fail to account for
environmental sustainability.
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Public Participation: Public awareness and participation are crucial
for sustainable development. By educating the public about
environmental issues and involving them in decision-making
processes, governments can foster a culture of environmental
stewardship. For example, community-based conservation initiatives
can help protect local ecosystems.
International Cooperation: International cooperation is essential to
address global environmental challenges like climate change and
biodiversity loss. By working together, countries can develop and
implement effective policies to protect the planet. For instance, the
Paris Agreement is an international agreement to
combat climate change
MEASURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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installing pollution control measures. However, it may not fully capture
the true extent of the damage.
c) Surrogate Markets: This method analyzes the impact of
environmental damage on other markets, such as property values and
wages. It assumes that people will adjust their behavior to avoid
environmental risks, but this may not always be the case.
d) Surveys: This approach uses surveys to gather information on
people's preferences for environmental quality. However, surveys can
be subjective and may not accurately reflect people's true values.
Social Discount Rate: This rate balances present and future
environmental impacts. The choice of a suitable discount rate is crucial
but challenging, as there's no consensus on the ideal rate.
CHAPTER 4: CHARACTERISTICS OF UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES
and less economic development than other nations. These countries have
very low per capita income and many residents’ lives in in very poor
conditions, including lacking access to education and health care. Also are
people living in given land area, often expressed as people per square
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2. The ratio of industrial output to total output: This ratio compares
country.
poverty.
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Characteristics of underdeveloped countries
1. General poverty: Poverty is reflected in low GNP per capita however,
income but also by malnutrition, poor health, clothing, shelter, and lack
of the people.
economy.
been fully exploited or utilized for economic benefits, can occur for
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economic backwardness are low labour efficiency, factor immobility,
ignorance, values and social structure that minimizes the incentives for
economic changes.
development, innovation.
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impacts on their economies. Firstly, the economy concentrates mainly
dependent on imports
are looking for work than there are jobs available. Many workers lack
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the education and skills needed for existing education and skills
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Accumulation Processes
The accumulation processes comprise:
1. Investment consisting of (a) gross domestic savings as % of GDP, (b)
gross domestic investment as % of GDP, and (c) capital inflow (net
imports of goods and services) as % of GDP.
2.
Total Capital Inflows
Capital Inflow as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
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Resource allocation processes
Resource allocation processes comprise:
1. Structure of domestic demand consisting of: (a) Gross domestic
investment as % of GDP; (b) private consumption as % of GDP; (c)
government consumption as % of GDP, and (d) food consumption as % of
Gross Domestic Investment
GDP. Gross Domestic Investment as % of GDP=
Gross Domestic Product ¿ ¿
Private Consumption
Private Consumption as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
Government Consumption
Government Consumption as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
Food Consumption
Food Consumption as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
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Primary Exports
Primary Exports as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
Manufacturing Exports
Manufacturing Exports as % of GDP= ×100
GDP
Services Exports
Services Exports as % of GDP= × 100
GDP
Imports
Imports as % of GDP= × 100
GDP
Demographic and Distribution
process
Demographic and distributional processes include:
1. Labour allocation comprising (a) share of primary labour; (b) share of
industry labour; and (c) share of service labour
Labour ∈ Primary Sector
. Share of Primary Labour ( % ) = ×100
TOLAL LABOUR FORCE
Urban Population
Urbanization (%)= ×100
Total Population
3. Demographic transition in (a) birth rate, and (b) death rate.
Number of Births
Birth Rate= ×1000
Total Population
Number of Deaths
Death Rate= × 1000
Total Population
4. Income distribution as (a) share of highest 20%, and (b) share of lowest
40% and share of middle 40%
Total Value of the Highest 20 %
Share of Highest 20 %= ×100
Total Valueof the Population
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Total Value of the Middle 40 %
Share of Middle 40 %= × 100
Total Value of the Population
As conclusion the structure change has the most three main principals and
(In his earlier book Modern Economic Growth, 1966, Kuznets defined
economic growth “as a sustained increase in per capita or per worker
product, most often accompanied by an increase in the population and
usually by sweeping structural changes”).
2. Advancing technology.
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3. An efficient and wide use of technology and its development, institutional
and ideological adjustments must be made to affect the proper use of
innovations generated by advancing stock of human knowledge.
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This characteristic state that there should increase in both per capita and
population but the increase in population must be lower than the increase in
per capita.
The growth of national products has been due to the enormous contribution
to population, which led to a large increase in labor force. The increase in
national production turn led to a considerable increase in capital
accumulation and hence in reproducible capital. As a result, there has been a
significant increase in capital accumulation and reproducible capital.
The proportion of the labor force to the total population has shown an
upward trend in all developed countries as shown in the table below:
The increase in the proportion of the labor force to the total population may
be attributed to several factors, including a shift in the age structure of the
population in favor of the working age, a decline in birth rates and in the
proportions of the population below working age, an increase in the
participation of women in gainful occupations, and a lowering of the age of
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retirement. Regardless of the reason, the proportion of gainfully occupied
individuals to the total population has increased.
The share of the agricultural sector in total product declined in all developed
countries except Australia. As shown in the table below:
The table summarizes the decline in the agricultural sector and the rise in
the industrial sector for various countries over specific periods.
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The inter-sectoral shifts were accompanied by growth in the scale of firms
and changes in the type of organization within sectors such as
manufacturing or trade, from small, incorporated firms to the large corporate
units with the rapid shift in industrial structure and rapid change in
technology.
There were also rapid shifts in allocation of products among types and sizes
of producing norms, and consequently in the allocation of labor force. There
was high inter industry, interstate and inter-occupational mobility of the
labor force among employees from blue-to white-collar jobs, from less to
more skilled occupations and from small to large enterprises.
4. Urbanization
It brought people together from different rural areas who initiated and learnt
from each other and from those already living in towns.
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The demonstration effect of the city life led to imitation of
consumption patterns by the large immigrants, which led to increased
consumer expenditure
The outward expansion of developed countries with their European origin has
been primarily due to the technological revolution in transportation and
communication. This led to more direct political dominance over the
colonies, the opening of previously closed areas like Japan and the partition
of undivided areas like sub-Saharan Africa. It was the threat of force on the
part of the developed countries that led to the spread of growth in Japan and
the USSR.
On the other hand, the partition of Africa and greater political dominance
over the colonies were due to the revival of imperialism, which was
responsible for the outward expansion of developed countries like Germany
and the United States in the last quarter of the 19th century.
First, such countries do not possess a stable and flexible political and social
framework, which may accommodate rapid structural changes and
encourage growth-promoting groups in society.
The international flow of men, goods and capital increased from the second
quarter of the 19th century to First World War but decline began with First
World War and continued till the end of Second World War. There has been,
however, rise in some of these flows since the early 1950s.
(a) Migration.
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at an annual level of over a quarter of a million in 1846-50 and rose to a
peak of about 1.5 million in 1906-15.
The factors which led to these international migrations were the easing of
intercontinental transportation by steamships and of intracontinental
migration in Europe by railways. However, migration flows to the United
States was due to the pull of better economic conditions. However, in the
long run the push had been an important factor due to the progressive
impact of the dislocation produced by the modernization of agriculture and
industry in Europe.
Prof. Kuznets traces out four factors that led to greater increase in growth of
foreign trade than of domestic output over the decades before First World
War in the old developed countries:
• The second was the decision by the United Kingdom to develop free
trade and international division of labor.
• The third was the relaxation of trade barriers by all the developed
countries.
• The last was the opening of the West in the United States, in Canada,
Australia and Argentina leading to European specialization in industry
. The international flow of foreign capital investments grew rapidly from the
second quarter of the 19th century to the First World War.
40
For the three major exporters of capital (Great Britain, France and Germany),
capital outflow for the period 1874-1914 averaged between $0.5 and $1.1
billion per year at 1913 prices.
Dependency theory explains why some countries remain poor while others
become rich. It looks at how the global economy creates an unfair system
where richer countries (called the core) benefit from the resources and labor
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of poorer countries (called the periphery). Let’s break down the main ideas in
simple terms:
Core countries: These are wealthy, developed nations (like the US,
UK, and Japan). They have strong industries, advanced technology, and
produce expensive, high-quality goods.
Example: A poor country might sell cheap raw materials like cocoa beans,
but it has to buy expensive chocolate bars from a rich country that processes
the beans.
Rich countries buy raw materials from poor countries at low prices.
Then, they turn these materials into finished goods (like cars or
computers) and sell them back to the poor countries at high prices.
This means the poor countries end up spending more than they earn.
This is called an unequal exchange.
Example: If a poor country sells cotton but buys clothes made from that
cotton at a higher price, it loses money in the trade.
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Example: If a poor country needs to build a factory, it might need a loan
from a rich country. But paying back the loan with high interest can leave
them in debt.
These companies make big profits, but most of the money goes back to
the rich countries instead of staying in the local economy.
Example: An oil company from a rich country might extract oil from a poor
country. They sell the oil globally and keep most of the profit, giving little
back to the country where the oil was found.
Example: Some leaders in poor countries may support policies that help rich
countries or foreign companies because it benefits them personally, even if it
hurts their people.
In simple word, Dependency theory shows how global systems favor rich
countries and keep poor countries from developing. To grow stronger, poor
countries need to reduce their dependence on rich nations and build self-
sufficient economies.
But in reality, external trade often favors richer countries. Here's how:
Selling Cheap, Buying Expensive: Poor countries usually export raw
materials (like oil, cocoa, or minerals) at low prices. Meanwhile, they
have to buy finished products (like electronics or cars) from rich
countries at much higher prices. This creates a trade imbalance.
Example: A developing country sells cotton to a developed country.
The rich country turns it into clothing and sells it back at a much higher
price. Unequal Exchange This trade imbalance is called unequal
exchange.
Poor countries end up spending more than they earn, which keeps
them economically weak. Over time, this drains their wealth and
makes it hard to invest in their own development. Dependency on Raw
Materials Poor countries often depend heavily on a few raw materials
for most of their income. If prices for these materials drop in the global
market, their entire economy suffers. In contrast, rich countries have
diverse economies and are more stable Example: If a country depends
only on exporting bananas, a price drop or bad harvest can cause a big
economic crisis. Role of Big Companies Large multinational
corporations (MNCs) from rich countries often control trade.
They decide prices, control production, and take most of the profits.
This leaves poor countries with little control over their own resources.
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Theories of Circular Deterioration of Terms of Trade This theory posits
that the prices of primary commodities tend to decline relative to
manufactured goods over time, leading to a deterioration in the terms
of trade for countries that rely heavily on exporting these primary
products.
The advancements in technology for producing industrial goods enable
industrialized nations to boost their incomes and improve living
standards. Additionally, due to the flexible demand in the global
market, these countries can also command higher prices. The situation
in developing countries is the opposite: technological progress in
primary production results in lower prices because of the inelastic
demand.
The Cycle Repeats: Because poor countries keep earning less from
their exports but pay more for imports, they fall deeper into economic
trouble. They have to export more just to afford the same amount of
imported goods, which keeps them stuck in a cycle of poverty.
The external trade theories, also known as international trade theories, are
frameworks that explain the dynamics of trade between countries. These
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theories help to understand why countries engage in trade, what goods and
services they choose to exchange, and how these exchanges impact
their economies. some of these theories includes:
46
and RAO's 'theory of partial pauperization' and PERROUX's 'theory of
dominating economy argue along very similar lines
47
demand and or competing from other countries, this can further
intensify the negative impact on its terms of trade.
3. Influence on world prices: For immiserizing to occur, the growing
country must have some influence over world prices. This is typically
true for developing nations that export primary commodities. If their
increased supply leads to price drops, they may find themselves worse
off despite the higher production level.
4. Welfare Implications: The core idea behind immiserizing growth is
that while GDP may rise due to increased production and export
activities, social welfare measured through factors like income
distribution and equality of life may decline if the economic gains do
not translate into improved living standard for the population.
2. IMPERIALISM THEORY
Imperialism theory refers to a set of ideas and frameworks that explain how
and why powerful nations extend their influence and control over weaker
regions or countries.
This theory encompasses various economic, political, and social factors that
drive nations to seek dominance, often through colonization, military
conquest, or economic exploitation.
Different theories have their own explanation of the reason for the pressure
for expansion but it is always seen as the result of the inability to cope
internally with the consequences of permanent technological innovation and
their effects on the society.
3. DEPENDENCIA THEORIES
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Dependencia theory explains why developing countries, especially in Latin
America, struggle to achieve economic growth. It argues that these nations
remain poor because of their economic dependence on wealthy,
industrialized countries.
Key Points:
1. Historical Dependency:
Many developing countries were once colonies. Even after
independence, they continued to rely on exporting raw materials and
importing finished goods. This unequal relationship stunts their
economic growth.
2. Unequal Trade Relations:
Developing countries sell cheap natural resources and agricultural
products to rich nations, who then sell back expensive manufactured
goods. This creates a trade imbalance that benefits the wealthier
countries.
3. Economic Exploitation:
Foreign investments and multinational corporations often extract
profits from developing countries, leaving them with little benefit. High-
interest loans from international organizations also increase debt and
dependency.
4. Limited Industrial Growth:
Dependencia theorists believe developing nations remain trapped in
primary sectors (like agriculture and mining) and don’t develop
advanced industries. This keeps them reliant on the global economic
system controlled by richer nations.
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value of capital required to produce one unit of output in a single time
period.
The rate of growth is determined jointly by the national savings ratio and
national capital to output ratio. The more a nation can save and invest the
quicker it can grow
Saving Ratio
Rate of Growth of GDP =
Capital output Ratio
Here, the savings ratio represents the proportion of income that is saved
rather than consumed, while the capital-output ratio indicates how much
capital is needed to produce a certain amount of output.
e.g. assume k = 3, s = 6%
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But, if one can increase national savings from 6% to 15%
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Example: All goods and services are produced and consumed domestically,
with no imports or exports.
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Example: A country that exports goods can grow faster, but this effect is not
considered in the model.
The savings rate is a crucial factor in the Harrod-Domar model, but its
manipulability through policy depends on the policymaker’s control over the
economy. Additionally, savings rates may be affected by the overall per
capita income and its distribution within society.
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social, and institutional barriers that also play crucial roles. Additionally, its
origins in the post-WW II context, particularly influenced by the Marshall Plan,
lead to assumptions that developing countries share similar conditions with
Europe during that period.
1. Modernization Theory
➢ The Western countries serve as a model
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➢ Consequently, a change of these endogenous factors is the strategy for
development
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1. Rural-Urban Dualism:
2. Traditional-Modern Dualism:
This form of dualism highlights the division between the traditional and
modern sectors of the economy:
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modernization theories. However, in many developing nations, these two
sectors coexist, with the modern sector remaining limited in scope or not
fully integrated into the broader economy.
3. Capitalist-Subsistence Dualism:
This type of dualism can create challenges in terms of policy and economic
integration, as the two sectors often have different priorities, technological
levels, and access to resources.
This form of dualism refers to the segmentation of the labor market into two
distinct groups:
Primary Labor Market: High-paying, stable jobs with benefits, often in formal
sectors with clear career paths and job security (e.g., professionals, skilled
workers in large industries).
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This dualism can lead to significant inequalities in wages, working conditions,
and access to social protection.
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Unbalanced growth theory
The theory was put forward by Alfred Hirschman; Contrary to the theory of
balanced growth, in Hirschman's opinion, the real bottleneck is not the
shortage of capital, but lack of entrepreneurial abilities. It states that
investment should be made in selected sectors rather than simultaneously in
all sectors; Growth happens from leading sector to other sectors of economy
one by one;
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governments. Briefly, it means simultaneous and harmonious growth of all
sectors so that all sectors can growth in agreement. New investments in
different branches of production can
The promotion of regional development centres will serve as focal point and
incentive for further development. Such a regional concentration helps to
reap the benefits of technological external economies and makes the growth
centre attractive to entrepreneurs, thus initiating further development.
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This theory is a sort of 'regional unbalanced growth theory' which uses
temporary regional imbalances to initiate development. Little attention is
given to the process which is necessary to ensure a spread or linkage from
the centres to the hinterland without which the poles may transform the
economy of the region into a dual economy
Traditional stage; This is the first stage in the development process where
the economy is still in infancy and there is little progress taking place. It has
the following features:
• There are cases of disease and the nearest hospital is the bush.
• There is nothing like investment and savings in the economy and the
economy is closed from external world.
The societies are in the process of transition. It is the period when the society
lays the foundation for take-off and never to revert to the traditional era. The
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society is first influenced by the external forces from MDCs. The idea of
economic progress spreads. The society then starts to imitate the advanced
society. In this stage, the following features exist
• The society starts moving away from dominant subsistence sector and
traditional methods of production are reduced.
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Self-sustained growth means a reduction on foreign dependence.
This is the stage when the obstacles to steady growth are finally overcome.
The forces of economic progress from the modern economic activities
expand and dominate the society. The economy becomes self-propelling. This
stage involves rapid transformation in the country’s social, cultural, political
and economic spheres. It has the following characteristics:
• Savings and investment grow to between 5% and over 10% of the Gross
Domestic Product, new industries are introduced and industrial growth takes
faster rates.
• Idle resources are put to more efficient use through exploitation by the
industries.
• The increase in per capita output should outstrip the growth of population.
The growing economy drives to extend modern technology over all the
economic activities. It is a period of long sustained economic growth. New
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production techniques replace the old ones and new sectors are created. This
stage has the following features:
• The rate of saving and investment is between 10% and 20% of GDP.
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Stage of high mass consumption
This is the last stage in growth where the economy has reached its climax. It
is the stage when the leading sectors of the economy shift from producing
mainly capital goods to producing consumer goods. The incomes of the
majority rise beyond what is necessary for subsistence. The structure of the
population changes from being predominantly rural to predominantly urban.
It has the following characteristics:
• Industrial growth is at its peak and they start producing luxuries like
cosmetics, necklaces among others.
• The rates of saving and investments are over 20% of gross domestic
product.
• There are high rates of exportation and the country’s balance of payment
position improves.
• People reduce working hours and start enjoying leisure, they even start
going abroad to tour and rest. • There is more allocation of funds to social
welfare and social security than to industry which leads to the emergence of
a welfare state.
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Note; It is important to note that some stages over lap into others, so it
may be difficult to identify the exact stage at which a society lies according
to the features stated by Professor Walt Whitman Rostow.
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• industrialization is common especially the processing industry. These are
normally agro-based industries processing agricultural output, as mentioned
in the pre-conditions to take off stage.
• Entrepreneurs are emerging and this has increased saving and investment
leading to increase of the gross domestic product.
• There are high cases of labour mobility in the developing countries both
internal and external.
• Rostow talks about progressing from stage to stage but does not show the
mechanism of how it is done.
• Some countries have already entered into the last stage of the age of High
Mass consumption before going through the fourth stage of maturity, e.g.
Canada, Australia.
• Rostow bases his theory on American and European history and defines
the American norm of high mass consumption as an integral to the economic
development process to all industrial societies, so his model has no impact
on other nations especially the developing agricultural nations.
• Rostow fails to demarcate one stage from the other as the features
especially stage one and stage two; and stage four and five tend to overlap
into each other. So, it is difficult to demarcate one stage of growth from the
other.
• Some countries have achieved high savings – 5 to 15% — but they have
never taken off.
• Rostow does not appreciate that some countries were born free of some
stages. Rostow does not consider nations like U.S.A and Canada, which were
born free of the traditional stage.
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• Rostow bases his theory on savings, showing that growth occurs as the
rate of savings increase with advancing stages but savings do not show a
picture of economic growth because they are autonomous.
2. Dependency Theory
The Dependency Theory is a reaction to the Modernization Theory.
Modernization is hindering development of the third world by keeping the
third world underdeveloped (the ruling bourgeoisies of the first world
ensured a ready market for their finished goods and a cheap supply of raw
materials for their factories). The solution, and therefore the strategy, of the
dependency theorist is to weaken the grip of the global system with trade
barriers, controls on multinationals, and the formation of regional trading
areas. Underdeveloped countries have to create national development goals
and follow an independent pattern of development, whereby the state has a
key role in practice. Dependency theory focuses on self‐reliance through
socialistic strategies; local community‐driven development with communal
ownership with emphasis on rural development
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▪ The structure of supply and demand in industrialized and developing
countries is such that industrialized countries are able to reap the benefits
from international trade.
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balance of trade, have to increase their exports to compensate for falling
prices. This means a further deterioration of terms of trade. The unchanged
structure of supply intensifies the structural dependency and, regardless of
growth, there is no development but only 'Immiserising growth.' This
situation is especially pertinent for countries with agrarian monoculture. As a
consequence, BHAGWATI later asked for a speedy industrialization including
heavy industry for larger countries.
1.Key concepts:
Theory: In economic, is a solid explanation of how something works in the
economy. It is based on a lot of evidence and has been tested and checked
many times.
Economic growth: refers to an increase in the production of economic
goods and services over a specific period compared to a previous period
Economic development: refers to the process by which a nation, region, or
community improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its
people. It encompasses a wide range of activities and policies aimed at
enhancing the economic performance and quality of life in a specific area.
2.Theories of economic growth, development
a. Introduction
Economic growth and development models are theories that explain how
economies grow and improve over time. These models focus on factors like
capital investment, technology, education, and government policies. They
aim to identify the best ways to increase wealth, reduce poverty, and
improve living standards. Different models offer varying approaches
depending on the country's needs, resources, and challenges.
b. Examples of theories or models on economic growth,
development and their implications
I. International economic order theory and basic needs theory
(1970s)
The emergence of the New International Economic Order and the Basic
Needs Theory in the 1960s was accompanied by empirical studies on
inequality, unemployment, and dualism. These studies highlighted those
developing countries experienced greater income inequality compared to
developed nations.
Implications of that theory on economic growth and development
are:
Focus on equity and redistribution (International Economic Order)
It aimed to create a more just global economic system by promoting the
transfer of wealth and resources from developed to developing nations. It
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focused on fostering equitable growth and reducing global inequality,
rather than solely emphasizing overall economic growth (NIEO, 2024).
It highlighted the need for developing countries to have greater access to
international markets, better terms of trade, and more equitable
participation in global economic governance.
Emphasis on Structural Change (International Economic Order)
The NIEO called for structural changes in the global economic system,
including changes in trade relations, international finance, and
industrialization strategies. The NIEO sought to foster industrialization and
technological progress in developing countries to establish more balanced
economic systems. This would help reduce their reliance on developed
nations.
Prioritizing Basic Needs (Basic Needs Theory)
The Basic Needs Theory emphasized meeting the fundamental needs of
people (such as food, shelter, health, and education) as a priority for
development, rather than focusing solely on economic growth indicators
like GDP.
Role of the State (Basic Needs Theory)
The Basic Needs Theory suggested that the state should play an active
role in ensuring the provision of basic goods and services to its
population. This led to the development of social welfare programs and
the idea that the state should directly intervene in economic affairs to
guarantee minimum living standards for all citizens.
The NIEO has been criticized for its unrealistic goals of wealth redistribution
and its reliance on state intervention, which may hinder economic growth.
The Basic Needs Theory has been criticized for focusing too much on
immediate welfare rather than long-term growth and potentially fostering
dependency. Both approaches have been seen as idealistic and difficult to
implement effectively in the global economic system.
However, rapid industrial growth in the West is depleting the Earth's natural
resources, leading to the potential collapse of ecosystems. This
overconsumption poses serious threats to both social stability and economic
systems. The unchecked expansion could result in widespread environmental
damage. Urgent action is needed to avoid future catastrophes.
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Classical liberals argue that minimal state intervention leads to a stronger
economy and society, as it allows individuals the freedom to explore their
potential. This encourages people to focus on their strengths, fostering self-
reliance and responsibility. Ultimately, it promotes personal and societal
growth.
Neoclassical liberalism was influenced by politicians like Margaret Thatcher
and Ronald Reagan. They were emphasized on Lending and aid became key
tools for encouraging market-oriented reforms.
Neoclassical Liberalism Overview:
Market Efficiency: Neoclassical liberalism emphasizes the efficiency of
free markets, minimal government intervention, and the belief that
market forces should determine prices, production, and distribution of
goods.
Focus on Economic Growth: It stresses that economic growth is best
achieved when countries adopt market-oriented policies that reduce state
control, promote competition, and encourage private sector activity.
Trickle-down Effect: The theory posits that when economies grow
through free market reforms, the benefits will eventually "trickle down" to
all sections of society, including the poor.
Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in the 1980s:
IMF and World Bank Initiatives: SAPs were implemented by
international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, typically as
conditions for loans and aid to developing countries.
Policy Focus: These programs promoted the adoption of free-market
economic policies, such as cutting government spending, selling
government-owned businesses, reducing regulations, opening up trade,
and lowering the value of currencies.
Goal of SAPs: The primary aim was to stabilize economies, reduce
inflation, encourage foreign investment, and integrate developing
countries into the global market by promoting export-oriented growth.
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healthcare, and infrastructure. Critics say this short-term focus on fixing
budgets came at the cost of long-term growth and better living conditions.
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showing unequal benefits. At the same time, the gap between the rich and
poor widened as the wealthy became even richer. This created a cycle of
inequality and hardship for many.
IV. Globalization, Environmental care (2000 onwards)
The main focus is on human development while prioritizing the planet.
Challenges like environmental resource depletion and global warming
highlight the need to address global environmental issues as part of
development strategies. This requires coordinated action by governments
worldwide to ensure sustainability. However, various groups seek answers to
different questions, hoping to find solutions to development challenges
Measures Taken for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development
(2000 Onwards)
Promotion of Renewable Energy: Investing in solar, wind, and other
renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut
carbon emissions.
Sustainable Agriculture: Encouraging eco-friendly farming practices to
protect soil, water, and biodiversity while ensuring food security.
Global Climate Agreements: Countries signed agreements to limit
global warming and work together on climate action.
Green Technology Development: Supporting innovation in
technologies that reduce environmental impact, such as energy-efficient
appliances and electric vehicles.
Corporate Responsibility: Businesses adopting sustainable practices,
such as reducing waste, recycling, and minimizing their carbon footprint.
Conservation Efforts: Protecting forests, oceans, and other ecosystems
to maintain biodiversity and mitigate climate change impacts.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating people about the importance
of sustainability and encouraging eco-friendly habits.
Circular Economy Initiatives: Promoting reuse, recycling, and waste
reduction to reduce environmental pressure and resource depletion.
Carbon Pricing Policies: Implementing taxes on carbon-emit trade
systems to discourage high greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Cooperation: Governments and organizations collaborating on
policies and initiatives for sustainable development worldwide.
In conclusion, economic growth and development theories have evolved
significantly over time, reflecting the changing priorities and challenges of
global economies. From addressing inequality and basic needs in the 1970s
to the structural adjustments of the 1980s, and the rise of developmental
states in the 1990s, each approach has offered valuable insights while facing
its limitations. The focus has shifted further in the 2000s to integrating
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sustainability and environmental care into development strategies. This
evolution highlights the need for balanced policies that promote economic
growth while ensuring social equity and environmental sustainability.
Effective collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities
is essential to address the complexities of modern development challenges.
By learning from past experiences and adopting innovative, inclusive, and
sustainable practices, the global community can foster long-term progress
and resilience.
Property rights: should be well defined and explain who has the
right of ownership.
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economic downturns in any single industry. The following are importance of
Diversification of Industrial Base:
-Reduce reliance on single commodity
-Imports substitution
-Exports Promotion Many developing countries too reliant on primary
commodities
-Subject to wide price fluctuations and instability
-Expansion of industrial base would help avoid over-reliance on single
commodity
3.Trade Strategies:
refer to the policies and approaches adopted by governments to manage
their trade with other nations, aiming to achieve specific economic goals
such as growth, industrialization, job creation, and poverty reduction. These
strategies help countries leverage international trade to stimulate
development, enhance competitiveness, and integrate into the global
economy. These are some trade approaches being used:
-Export-Oriented strategies: Focus on Boosting exports to drive economic
growth.
- Import Substitution: Focus on Reducing reliance on imported goods by
fostering domestic production.
- Free Trade Strategy: Focus on Promoting open markets with minimal trade
barriers.
- Regional Trade Integration: Focus on Promoting trade within a specific
region by forming economic unions or trade blocs.
4.Population control:
refers to policies and measures adapted by government to manage the rate
of population growth to ensure it aligns with a country’s economic, social,
and environmental resources. The aim is to create a balance between
population size and the available resources, leading to sustainable
development and improved quality of life. Population control has the
following significance:
-Reduce Dependency Ratio: is the proportion of dependents (children
under 15 and elderly over 65) to the working-age population (15-64). A high
dependency ratio puts pressure on the economy, social services, and
working population. Reducing it can promote economic stability and growth.
Migration policies: significantly impact population dynamics, labor
markets, and economic growth. These policies manage the flow of people
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across borders to balance labor supply and demand, reduce skill shortages,
and support population stability.
- Optimum population: refers to the ideal number of people that can be
supported by a country’s resources, infrastructure, and economy at the
highest possible standard of living. It balances tavailability of resources and
labor with the demand for goods, services, and environmental sustainability.
5.Encourage saving and Investment:
are critical drivers of economic growth and sustainable development. They
provide the capital needed for infrastructure, business expansion,
technological innovation, and social services. Encouraging these behaviors
fosters economic stability, creates jobs, and enhances living standards.
6.Cancellation of international debt:
refers to the partial or complete forgiveness of a country's external debt by
international creditors, such as foreign governments, international financial
institutions (e.g., IMF, World Bank), and private lenders. This strategy is often
employed to assist heavily indebted developing countries in redirecting
resources from debt repayment to critical development needs like education,
healthcare, and infrastructure. These are some importance of cancellation of
international debt:
Development Process
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described these stages together with the features through which all
countries pass to attain hyper rates of economic growth and development.
Characteristics:
Economy based on subsistence agriculture
Limited technology and static social structure.
High influence of tradition and religion.
Minimal productivity and surplus.
Characteristics:
Emergence of more modern scientific and technological
advancements.
Development of infrastructure (e.g., roads, ports, communication).
Increased investment and shift towards a commercial economy.
Growth in entrepreneurship and national identity.
Characteristics:
Rapid industrialization and growth in certain sectors (usually
manufacturing).
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Increased urbanization and a rise in new industries.
Political and social institutions support industrial growth.
Economy grows faster than population growth, creating surpluses.
Characteristics:
Diversification of the economy across multiple industries.
Technological innovation spreads to all sectors.
Improvement in education and skill levels.
Rising living standards and a shift from heavy industries to consumer
goods
5.Age of High Mass Consumption: This is the last stage in growth where
the economy
Has reached its climax.
It is the stage when the leading sectors of the economy shift from producing
mainly capital goods to producing consumer goods.
Characteristics:
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production dominates the agricultural sector. In LDCs, food production
is vital for economic growth, with increased productivity raising
farmers' incomes and boosting food demand due to higher per capita
income.
Increasing the demand for industrial products and thus
necessitating the expansion of the secondary and tertiary
sectors; Agriculture drives economic development by increasing
income and demand for industrial products, stimulating the growth of
the secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors. This
expansion creates more jobs and boosts industrial output. As a result,
overall economic activity rises, fostering long-term growth. Activity
rises, fostering long-term growth.
Providing additional foreign exchange earnings for the import
of capital goods for development through increased
agricultural exports; Agriculture contributes to economic
development by generating foreign exchange through increased
agricultural exports. These earnings can be used to import capital
goods necessary for infrastructure and industrial growth. This boosts
productivity and accelerates overall economic development.
Providing productive employment; agriculture promotes economic
development by providing productive employment, especially in rural
areas where a large portion of the population depends on farming.
This increases income levels and reduces unemployment. As a result,
overall productivity and economic stability improve, fostering long-
term growth.
Capital formation: Agriculture drives economic development by
generating surplus income, which can be reinvested into capital
formation. This reinvestment in infrastructure, machinery, and
technology boosts productivity in both agriculture and other sectors.
Increased capital formation accelerates economic growth and
industrialization.
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Economic Stability: Reduces urban migration and balances rural-
urban income.
Example: Agricultural policies in Vietnam help stabilize rural economies.
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output. This shift raises overall productivity, making industrialization
crucial for economic development.
Increasing returns and economies of scale: Industrialization is
crucial in LDCs as it leads to increasing returns and economies of
scale, which agriculture cannot provide. It promotes training, better
communication, and inter-sectoral linkages, while driving urbanization
and a dynamic economy. This makes industrialization more effective
for development than focusing on agriculture alone.
Reduce dependence: LDCs need industrialization to reduce their
dependence on primary products, which are subject to price
fluctuations and deteriorating terms of trade: Relying on primary
exports and importing manufactured goods worsens their economic
situation. Shifting to import-substituting and export-oriented
industrialization strategies is key for development.
Diversification: People enjoy the fruits of modernization in the form
of a variety of goods and services available in urban centers due to
industrialization. These also affect the rural sector through the
demonstration effect. Thus, industrialization tends to raise the living
standards and promotes social welfare.
Industrialization brings social transformation, social equality, more
equitable distribution of income and balanced regional development in
the process of economic development.
Infrastructure Development: Stimulates the growth of
transportation and utilities.
Example: Industrial hubs in India have led to improved road and rail
networks.
Innovation and Technology: Drives research and development
initiatives.
Example: Silicon Valley in the U.S. is a center for tech innovation.
Global Competitiveness: Enhances a nation's position in
international markets.
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Example: Japan's electronics industry is renowned for global
competitiveness
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL
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Generation of income and savings: Agricultural growth generates income
and savings that can be invested into further development, fueling both
sectors' growth.
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raw materials and capital for industries, and industrialization offering
resources and market access to enhance agricultural productivity.
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Global Trade and Investment: Many services, especially in areas like
IT, finance, and tourism, are highly exportable. Countries that provide
high-quality services can attract foreign investment, foster international
trade, and integrate into the global economy.
Diversification and Stability: The services sector contributes to
economic diversification, minimizing reliance on a single industry (such as
agriculture or manufacturing). A robust services sector can offer stability
during economic recessions in other sectors.
Sustainability: Services that foster sustainability, like environmental or
renewable energy services, play a key role in long-term economic
development by advancing environmental objectives and tackling climate
change issues.
THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, AND
SERVICES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Form another key interrelationship between the sectors. Profits generated
from industrial activities, especially in agro-based industries, can be
reinvested into agriculture. This reinvestment might come in the form of
improved technology, such as mechanization or advanced irrigation systems,
which enhances agricultural productivity. Additionally, industries involved in
the production of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and
machinery, contribute directly to increasing the efficiency and output of
farming. As agriculture becomes more productive, it can meet the growing
demand for raw materials from industry while also providing surplus goods
for export, further contributing to economic development and industrial
growth.
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plays a vital role in driving economic development. Their interdependence
fosters sustainable growth and improves living standards, showcasing the
need for a balanced approach in economic policies.
ECONOMIC PLANNING
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Economic planning, as articulated by Lewis L. Lordwin, represents a
systematic approach to managing economic activity through coordinated
efforts aimed at achieving specific societal goals.
The key components of this process include determining what goods and
services should be produced, how much should be produced, the methods
and locations for production, and the allocation of resources among different
sectors and populations.
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distributed among various sectors to maximize productivity and
minimize waste.
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appropriate measures to stabilize the economy, support affected
populations, and facilitate recovery efforts.
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Planning Commission: The first prerequisite for a plan is the setting
up of a planning commission which should be organized in a proper
way; such group should consist of economists, statisticians and
engineers dealing with various aspects of the economy.
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Development planning faces numerous challenges that can hinder the
successful implementation of projects aimed at improving socio-economic
conditions. These problems can be categorized into several key areas:
3. Lack of Accountability
Accountability is crucial for ensuring that all stakeholders are responsible for
their roles within a project. When accountability mechanisms are weak or
absent, it can lead to mismanagement, corruption, and a failure to meet
project objectives. Stakeholders may not feel compelled to adhere to
timelines or quality standards without clear accountability structures.
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they aim to help, leading to resistance or lack of support from the
community.
5. Unrealistic Plans
Planning by Direction
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and ensures that resources are utilized effectively, leading to more
efficient operations.
Planning by Inducement
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example, If the planning authority wishes to encourage the production of a
commodity, it can give subsidy to the firms. And if it finds scarcity of goods
in the market, it can introduce price control and rationing.
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