Unit 9: Social Development

Overview:

The failure of the grand economic theories of growth to ensure balanced development of the society led development thinkers to think for alternative models of development. Economists like Gunnar Myrdal argued for a redefinition of development taking the social factors into account. To him economic prosperity has no meaning unless and until it is able to eradicate social miseries. Similarly, The World Bank and the UNDP also insisted for the inclusion of social issues in economic planning to make it more pro people and development effective in character. The alternative model of development was expected to be holistic and multidimensional to touch and impact every fringe of the society and to ensure balanced development. Thus, social development emerged as an alternative approach to development to ensure a healthy and balanced development. It was expected to be multidimensional, multifaceted effecting and benefiting every aspect of society. Thus, economic policies started getting tuned to meet the broader social objectives. This added a new dimension to the development discourse.

Suggested Reading:

Webster A. (1990) Introduction to the Sociology of Development. Hongkong, McMillan Education Ltd.

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