Topic > Sociology of development

The word "development" is a concept that poses a certain difficulty in ascertaining its scope and impact. This is due to the different phases and meanings it can take on in relation to the situation at a given moment. identify development in social lives and human endeavors, economies, technological capabilities, etc. It suggests a form of increase or advancement over a previous state. Development began in 1949, therefore, after the Second World War; the reconstruction of the countries emerged. Countries that overcame the effects of wars were First World countries, while others were Second and Third World countries (Escobar, 1995) Say no to plagiarism Shouldn't video games be banned? Get an Original Essay Unfortunately, the concept of development is associated with the Western world, giving rise to developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries around the world. This gave a sort of definition to the development; to the point that other countries cannot define the changes or progress they experience because the West has set the parameters for measuring development. With the advent of development and the third world's race to keep pace, some important practices and lifestyles are devalued and consequently eradicated as time passes. These, among others, imply the adoption of development as a whole. Hence, there is a decline and diminution of morals and values ​​which are essential factors in the culture of every human society. Development was the parameter to ascertain global success. First, we see the development before the wars and how it affected the continents of Africa, Asia and Latin America. These effects can still be seen and heard today. One of the solutions offered by the West to deal with the persistent problems in these continents is development; however, it did not bring the expected result. Indeed, it set them back even further and created a gap for exploitation and underdevelopment to persist. (Escobar, 1995). Development has therefore become a cover name for various forms of exploitation and dependency. Human and mineral resources are extracted from developing countries due to the demands of the industrialized world, and this is good; developed countries keep up with the pace of development, while developing countries are dragged behind because development possibilities and opportunities are limited. Raw materials and mineral resources are obtained at negligible costs from developing countries and are processed and transformed into expensive goods and services in developed countries with their enormous intellectual and technical manpower. This makes the rest of the world (third world) more dependent on developed countries. There is a fixed image that developing and underdeveloped countries have. This paints them as weak and helps the seekers; this is a result of the level of education, scientific and technological knowledge which in turn leads to the unavailability of progressive ideas to aid development. This relationship of dependence goes beyond the dominant power of world powers, but also the exercise of power by their elites. Escobar discussed three axes of development in underdeveloped countries, which are: forms of knowledge, system of power and forms of subjectivity. All this translates into: inequality in income distribution, decline in the economic importance of the middle class, difficulty in changing family occupation due to social class barriers, inadequate income, persistent global hunger and poverty, monopoly of the business establishment that exploits employees and consumers, increased capital income for developed countries. Another strategy developed by the West to solve the problems of the Third World (poverty reduction,improvement in living standards) which further strengthens their level of dependence is the creation of organizations such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank. They reinforce the dominant and exploitative motivations of the Western world through the imposition of solutions that do not synchronize with their economies and living standards. (Escobar, 1995) Likewise, the rich are becoming richer and the poor even poorer. It is easier to trace the flow of money from developing countries to developed countries than to trace the flow of money from developed to developing countries. That's why they are still in development; the persistent desire for more, more, better, more beautiful and advanced approaches from the Third World has put the Developed World or First World at the cutting edge and they have proven to always be at the cutting edge. Questions have arisen about the way forward from the current situation in developing countries; only if developing countries looked inwards and exploited the potential inherent in their cultures and traditions. Escobar cited the example of the “Hybrid of cultures in Latin America.” They managed to merge their culture with the Western one; Furthermore, an increase in political and local representation will help develop the minds of leaders. Terms such as gender equality, sustainability, poverty eradication, and the technological expansion of scientific progress are the main themes of this discourse on power. The capitalist system has imposed a rigid international division of labor which is responsible for the underdevelopment of many areas of the world. Unequal power relations and the discourse of hegemony demonstrate that economic growth in advanced industrialized countries does not necessarily lead to growth in poorer countries (Foucault, 1991) limits the possibilities for development of the subordinate economy, a situation in which the economy of a certain group of countries (underdeveloped/developing) is conditioned by the development and expansion of another economy, to which the developed world's own is subjected. Sen, 1999 proposes another vision and idea of development. He sees development as a means of freedom and opportunities open to human society. These freedoms contribute to society; explains that contributory freedom includes: political and social freedom, economic opportunities, transparency, protection and security. Development is not described by the level of income, but by the willingness of human beings to exercise freedom at any time. Freedom comes through processes and opportunities; processes are decisions made on development issues, while opportunities are human capacities to make choices at any time. The term "development" recalls the idea of ​​more, better and progress from the North of the world, but at the same time they do not want all this to happen in reality, otherwise the world would have seen the suburbs become semi- peripheries and semi-peripheries become central, but on the contrary, world hunger is constantly increasing and developed countries are becoming more and more developed while poor countries are becoming poorer and poorer. Underdeveloped and developing countries are often portrayed as needing help because they lack technology, scientific knowledge, management skills and above all they lack innovation. This implies the hierarchy or imperial nature of the core of the world which can be the “only” help. The discourse on development and power reinforces these unequal power relations and the hegemony of the industrialized world over the Global South (Robinson, 2002). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In Conclusion.