Thoughts on the Term "Development"

To me, “development” means partially, but not entirely, what it is commonly thought to be in economics circles. Development does mean new scientific discoveries, technologies, and sociopolitical institutions and ideas (if they are used justly), improvements in health, lifespan, education, and enjoyment of living, and improvements in self-determination. However, “development” does mean rote economic growth, the expansion of unsustainable and/or dirty cities, suburbs, infrastructure, or industry, or the expansion of a society that values the ever-growing expansion of consumerist accumulation.

Economic growth, a popular measure of “development” commonly calculated by measures such as GDP or GNI, benefits mostly those at the top of the economic hierarchy. Economic growth is often permitted, unjustly, at the expense of the environment and people’s livelihoods. The modern, largely Western-led “development project” also has deep-rooted connections with colonialism that need to be equitably addressed, as well as a one-size fits all approach that needs to be more flexible to acknowledge cultural difference. Many ingenious, environmentally sustainable ways of living that many different indigenous peoples have developed over thousands of years should be adopted widespread: however, many of these people and their practices are under dire threat by the very “development” that purports to help them.

My definition of development is one in which societal and ecological harmony is reached without technological or medical stagnation. This form of development acknowledges the common ways in which people want to see their lives improve, without forgetting past injustices or letting humanity turn our back to true advancement.