In
previous lessons, we defined development as having three dimensions:
a
multidimensional process involving major changes in social structures, popular
attitudes, and national institutions
the
movement away from a condition of life widely perceived as unsatisfactory
toward a situation regarded as materially and spiritually "better"
the
advancement of people's capacity to collectively define their goals and
aspirations, improve or advance the means to achieve these, and the process
itself of pursuing these goals and
aspirations
We
have stressed that the people is both the subject [1]
and object[2] of development and as such our framework of
"development" presuppose that people's capacity is also built for
collectively defining the "core
values." Never should a set of
core values be imposed. History is full of
many examples in which freedom is sacrificed on the pretext of
advancing economic growth. For such
countries the definition above gives us a
framework for analysis.
Within
the process of people defining a set of core values, however, one can adopt on
a tentative basis the core values suggested by Todaro (life sustenance,
self-esteem, and freedom from servitude) and add "sustainable
development" and "equity" as equally important core values.
Sustainable development is meeting the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their needs. Our concept of equity, meanwhile, is more than the typical
concept because it covers three dimensions: social, spatial, and intergenerational[3].
The possibility for an
equity-led development is implied[4]
in the works of Todaro. We illustrate hereunder a view on equity-led
sustainable growth strategy as proposed by David Korten. In his book[5],
Korten formulated this view on the
experiences of South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Nothing in this handout should
constitute an endorsement of the framework below. In future discussions we will
discuss, for example, that contrary to what Korten asserts, other authors
contend that a stress on industry was the key component in the development of
the countries mentioned. Korten appears to argue, however, that a stress on
agriculture is the key measure for an equity-led sustainable growth. Hereunder
is Korten's view on the phases of an “equity-led sustainable growth”:
1.
PREPARATION FOR CHANGE
-democratization
-education
-measures to reduce population growth
2.
ASSET REFORM (REDISTRIBUTION)
AND RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
-radical redistribution of productive
assets
-infrastructure: cooperatives,
communication and transport systems
3. AGRICULTURAL
INTENSIFICATION & DIVERSIFICATION
4. RURAL
INDUSTRIALIZATION
5.
URBAN INDUSTRIALIZATION
6. EXPORT PROMOTION
[1]the
"doer," the "realizer," the "force"
[2]for
whom development is for
[3]Social
equity is equity across social groups (e.g. classes and sectors of society);
spatial equity refers to equity across several geographical space (central and
periphery, national center and regions, and across national boundaries).
Intergenerational equity refers to equity across generations.
[4]To
be precise, however, Todaro's position on the matter is that there must be
"growth with equity."
Todaro's position is substantially different from that being
promoted by advocates of equity-led sustainable growth or equity-led
sustainable development.
[5]Getting
to the 21st Century (1990).