GDP is the traditional measure of development. However, Human development now focuses
on progress of quality of life, and not just wealth. Eg: Development also focuses on:
- Social progress - Education, life expectancy, health, happiness.
- Political progress - Freedom of speech, reduction in corruption, voting
- Environmental progress - Biodiversity, afforestation, renewables.
These are not reflected in GDP or GDP/Capita
This shows that GDP doesn’t reflect development, as levels of wealth and income don't
necessarily correlate. Therefore, there’s other measures of human development.
Happy Planet Index - (Well-being x life expectancy x equality / ecological footprint).
This reflects general levels of happiness and human development. However:
- It can be subjective, such as the mood of the day
- Ecological footprint holds too much weight
- Very little economic component.
Types of societies - Or Models of development
1)Sharia Law - This is a law based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. Eg: Saudi
Arabia uses it.
- However, it is seen by many as extreme. Eg: Drug trafficking is punishable by death.
- Also, Women’s rights are severely limited. Eg: Women couldn’t drive in Saudi Arabia
until 2018.
- However, it doesn't include Zakat, which is a charity tax to help the less fortunate.
- There’s a lack of political development using this model, due to a lack of political
freedom (gender inequality) (extreme punishments from breaking the law).
2) Bolivia under Morales - Bolivia’s natural gas and mineral resources should be exploited,
and sharing the wealth among the people. This is seen to many as socialism.
- Taxes were raised on the profits of TNCs to over 80%, and the tax revenue the
government receives can be used to reduce poverty through health and education.
The minimum wage also increased by 50%.
- Half a million Bolivians were lifted out of poverty. However, Bolivia remains one of the
poorest countries in Latin America.
- However, this model is limited in the view of development because it has little to say
about the more human aspects of development, such as Education and freedom of
speech.
3) Authoritarian regime - Decisions are made by the government alone. Anyone who
opposes their decisions can be persecuted without a trial.
- Dictatorship - North Korea
- This model lacks human development.
,Education
- Improvements in education can be made through improvements in literacy rates.
- Better education allows access to higher-income jobs - reduces poverty
- Can lead to economic growth - increases value of human capital - can produce more
output and is more efficient due to being more skilled.
- Eg: More skill for farmers means more crop yield and productivity. This can make
them sell more, so have higher profit, which improves the quality of life.
- Eg: A more skilled workforce is likely to attract FDI from TNCs, and fuel economic
growth. This can increase employment opportunities, and people’s incomes would
likely increase. This would improve the quality of life.
- Also, a more educated workforce is likely to have more awareness on issues. Eg:
They would have more knowledge on how to improve their health, and how to reduce
illnesses. Eg: If they are able to read and write, they can read the medicines
instructions. This improves their quality of life.
Why do levels of education vary between countries and Gender (Education inequality) ?
1) Poverty - Families are often poor, so their children work to earn a source of income.
Children work in farms and factories (150 million children are victims of forced labour)
2) Conflict / War - Schools are destroyed, and it’s often unsafe for children to travel to
school, so they lack education. Eg: Nigeria
3) Culture and religion - Girls are needed at home and not in school, as male education
is prioritised as males are seen as money-earners. Eg: Middle East and North Africa.
4) Child Marriages - Girls are married before they reach the age of 18.
, Health is important to human development because:
- Poor health means unable to work, so lower workforce, and leads to poverty due to
lacking a source of income.
- Poor health means more money spent in healthcare rather than other priorities,
leading to less economic growth,
As income and economic growth increases, health also increases. This is because people
would be able to afford quality healthcare and a healthy lifestyle, so they often have better
health and life expectancy.
- Rosling thought that by developing a country’s economy, health, human rights and
life expectancy would improve.
There are variations in health and life expectancy across in developing countries due to:
- Level of development - low levels of development means countries don’t have money
to invest in healthcare. Low education as a result of lack of development also means
there’s a lack of healthcare professionals, so lack of doctors and hospitals. This
means they don't have money to invest in resources like vaccines, which can lead to
diseases.
- Poverty - Unable to afford quality healthcare, and cannot afford a healthy lifestyle.
Also, cannot afford clean water, so they resort to unclean water where waterbourne
diseases are widespread, leading to diseases like cholera.
- Climate - Many African countries and South Asian countries are located in tropical or
semi-arid climates. High temperatures means it can promote tropical diseases like
Malaria.
There are variations in health and life expectancy across in developed countries due to:
- Higher disposable income - can afford a clean and sanitary source of water, and a
healthier lifestyle. Eg: Gym memberships. This promotes a healthier lifestyle, so
higher life expectancy.
- Level of development - Countries have more money to invest in healthcare services,
and can afford advanced medical supplies and resources. Eg: Vaccines.
