Development, a brief history

Since the beginning of humankind, we have always divided our world. North and south, black and white, rich and poor, vaccinated and unvaccinated, climate activist and climate denier, developed and underdeveloped. But what is the history of development and how has this definition changed over time?

The definition of development according to the United Nations is: “Development is a multidimensional undertaking to achieve a higher quality of life for all people.” (Resolution adopted by the general assembly, 1997).

From this definition, we can already conclude that development is multidimensional. Since the Second World War, emphasis has been more on differences in the world and on the planet. After the second world war the ‘developed’ countries have tried to decrease the inequality in the world through giving aid and helping countries to create a higher quality of life for all people. In the next paragraphs I will try to give you a quick overview in the evolution of the concept of development.

The genesis of development lies in the period between 1945 and 1959. In this period after the second world war, a big part of the world had to be rebuilt. In a speech by President Truman given in 1949 he stated that underdeveloped world’s poverty is a handicap and a threat both to themselves (read underdeveloped countries) but also to more prosperous areas. In the period from 1945 to 1959 development had become synonymous with economic growth. At the time underdevelopment was mainly quantified through the level of Gross National Product (GNP) per capita. A lot of development programs arose containing mainly advice and aid. Development was to be achieved through increasing incomes and material wealth.

In the period from 1960-1969 the views on what development was changed. This becomes clear when looking at the Secretary-General's report on Proposals for Action written in 1962 by the UN. This report states: “At the opening of the United Nations development decade, we are beginning to understand the real aims of development and the nature of the development process. We are learning that development concerns not only man's material needs, but also the improvement of the social conditions of his life and his broad human aspirations. Development is not just economic growth, it is growth plus change.” (Thant, 1962).

In the period from 1970-1979 the definition of development was again enriched with even more factors. Development should also focus on aspects related to health, education, nutrition, and equality. Besides that, development should be based on local resources rather than economic efficiency.

In the period from 1980 to 1999 the re-examination of themes that should be taken in account concerning development slowed down. In 1990 the first human development report was released by the UN. This first report stated: “This Report is about people - and about how development enlarges their choices. It is about more than GNP growth, more than income and wealth and more than producing commodities and accumulating capital. A person's access to income may be one of the choices, but it is not the sum total of human endeavor.” (Human development report, 1990).

From 2000 to 2015 the concept of development as we know it now, was created. The United Nations then set 8 international agreed development goals which were named the Millennial Development Goals. In 2015 these goals were updated and expanded to be the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which are still implemented today. The SDGs are 17 goals which are brought into the world, to create a global compass on how we can make the world a better place. In the picture below you see a list of what the goals entail. The goals will be reflected on in 2030. The 17 goals together display our global definition of the word ‘development’ today.

Now you know the evolution of development and that development is multidimensional. You also know what the history is behind the SDG’s and when they were installed.

Nevertheless, the definition of development can also be personal and thus be different for each culture, country or individual. What aspects of development do you still consider missing in the list of STG’s set up by the UN?

Sources:

- M. (2020, 26 oktober). Communications materials. United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communications-material/

- Potter, R., Conway, D., Evans, S., & Lloyd-Evans, S. (2012). Key Concepts in Development Geography. SAGE Publications.

- Research Guides: UN Documentation: Development: Introduction. (z.d.). https://research.un.org/en/docs/dev/intro

- Resolution adopted by the general assembly. (1997). (A/RES/51/240). Https://documents-dds-ny.un.org. Geraadpleegd op 21 februari 2023, van https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N97/774/79/PDF/N9777479.pdf?OpenElement

- Thant, U. (Red.). (1962). The United Nations development decade, proposals for action. In United Nations (E/3613). United Nations Publication.

- United Nations. (z.d.). Human Development Report 1990 | Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report-1990