Development

1. “People have conflicting developmental goals”. Support the statement with a suitable example.
Ans. (1) People have conflicting development goals because life situations of persons are different. People seek things that
are most important for them Le., the things that can fulfil their aspirations, desires or needs. Therefore sometimes, two
persons or groups of persons may seek things which are conflicting.
(2) Industrialists may consider the construction of dams as development. This is because it provides electricity that they
need. In contrary, tribals, farmers and other groups may resent this as the construction of dams may lead to submergence
of their land and loss of their livelihood.
(3) Similarly, a girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares in the household work
but her brother may not like this.
2. Why do different people have different goals for development? Explain. Or Development goals are different goals
also. Explain with an example.
Ans. (1) This is because the life situations of persons are different. People seek things that are most important for them i.e.,
the things that can fulfil their aspirations. desires or needs.
(2) Sometimes, two persons or groups of persons may seek things which are even conflicting.
(3) A girl may expect as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares in the household work. But,
her brother may not like this.
(4) Industrialists may want more dams. They may consider the construction of dams as development as it provides
electricity that they need. While tribal’s, farmers and other groups may resent this as the construction of dam may lead to
submergence of their land and thus, lead to displacement and loss of livelihood.
(5) They might resent this and may prefer small check dams or tanks to irrigate their land.
3.Apart from income, which other six things people look for growth and development?
Or The development goal that people have is not only about better income but also about other important things in
life. Explain.
Ans. The development goal that people have not only about better income but also other important things in life which are
as under :
(1) Apart from income, people look for equal treatment.
(2) People want freedom for growth and development.
(3) People also want security.
(4) People want the respect of others.
(5) They may want friendship.
(6) They may require environmental sustainability.
4. Explain any five bases of comparison of economic development of different countries or states.
Or Explain any three determinants of economic development.
Ans. (1) Per Capita Income: This means average income generated by each person in a given group of people. That is, Per
Capita Income or Average Income is the total income of the wintry (or state) divided by its total population.
(2) Literacy Rate: It is also the basis of comparison of economic development of different countries or states. Literacy Rate
measures the proportion of the literate population in the 7 and above age group.
(3) Net Attendance Ratio: It is the total number of children of age group 6-10 attending school as a percentage of the total
number of children in the same age group.
(4) Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): This health indicator indicates the number of children that die before the age of one year as
a proportion of 1,000 live children born in that particular year. Lower the amount of IMR, higher is the rate of people being
healthy.
(5) Life Expectancy at birth: It denotes the average expected length of life of a person at the time of birth. Higher the life
expectancy at birth, higher is considered the development of a nation.
5. What is meant by Per Capita Income? Mention any two limitations of Per Cape Income as an indicator of
development. Or Evaluate the significance and limitations of Average Income as a measure for development. Or
Although averages are useful for comparing countries, they also hide disparities. Explain the meaning of this
statement.
Ans. (1) Average Income or Per Capita Income is the total income of the country divided by its total population. It is an
important indicator of economic development of the country. It is an income per head of the population per year.
(2) (i) Per Capita Income is an important indicator of development.
(ii) It is used to compare similarities and differences between the various parameters of development of different countries.
(iii) Comparing countries by national income are not useful to measure as countries have different population. Thus, Per
Capita Income is an important measure.
(3) Per Capita Income has its limitations also.
(i) It does not tell us how the income is distributed among the people. Some may be very rich but the masses may be poor.
That is, it hides disparities.
(ii) Per Capita Income cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of development. Other areas are also important like Literacy
Rate, Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, etc.
6. Why do we use averages?
Ans. (1) Average Income is the total income of the country divided by its population.
(2) The average is a single value which summarizes the characteristics of the mass of data.
(3) Since countries have different populations, total income does not tell us what an average person is likely to earn. This is
known by Average Income. That is why we use averages or average income for measuring development.
(4) Averages are used for better understanding.
7. What is meant by development? What is the most common indicator used to compare the levels of development
of different countries? Explain three demerits of using this indicator solely as a measure of development
Ans. (1) Development refers to progress or improvement in lifestyle. It is a set of goals that includes income, equality,
security, education, health, etc.
(2) Per Capita Income is the most common indicator used to compare the levels of development of different countries.
(3) Following are the three demerits of using this indicator solely as a measure of development :
(i) Per Capita Income does not tell us how the income is distributed among the people.
(ii) It hides disparities. Some may be very rich but the masses may be poor.
(iii) Per Capita Income cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of development but other areas are also important like Life
Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, Literacy Rate, pollution free environment, less corruption, gender equality, etc.
8. Describe any three features of a developed country.
Ans. (1) According to the World Development Report, countries with Per Capita Income of US $ 12,736 per annum and
above in 2013 are called rich or developed countries.
(2) A developed country has less Infant Mortality Rate. Infant Mortality Rate indicates the number of children that die before
the age of one year as a proportion of 1,000 live children born in that particular year.
(3) Such a country has high Literacy Rate. Literacy Rate measures the proportion of the literate population in the 7 and
above age group.
9. Explain the term PCI and where it is used?
Ans. (1) Per Capita Income (PCI) is the total income of the country divided by its total population. It is also called the
Average Income. It is a single value which summarizes the characteristics of the mass of data.
(2) Since countries have different populations, total income does not tell us what an average person is likely to earn.
(3) This is known by Average or Per Capita Income. That is why we use Per Capita Income for measuring development. It
is used to compare different countries or states.
10. What is the significance of the Human Development Index?
Ans. (1) Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure to evaluate the level of development of a country.
(2)HDI is the average of education level index, health status index and Per Capita Income index. According to the UNDP
Report of 1990, four main aspects of measuring Human Development Index are: Per Capita Income, Life Expectancy at
birth, Literacy Rate and Gross Enrolment Ratio of the country.
(3)Human Development Report published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people,
their health status and Per Capita Income.
11. What is Human Development Report? Which organization measures HDR? Explain the three major indicators of
HDR. Or What do you understand by the Human Development Index? Name the world organization that has
initiated it for the measurement of development.
Ans. (i) This is the report published by UNDP for comparing centuries based on the education levels of the people, their
health status and Per Capita Income.
(2) UNDP is responsible for measuring HDR.
(3) The three major indicators of HDR are as under:
(i) Educational levels, (ii) Health status, (iii) Per Capita Income.
12. Differentiate between UNDP report and the World Bank Report. Why is UNDP report more reliable of the two?
Ans. (1) UNDP publishes Human Development Report on the basis of educational levels of the people, their health status
and Per Capita Income whereas, the World Bank takes into consideration only the Average Income or Per Capita Income.
(2) The report presented by the UNDP is most reliable since it takes into account all the indicators like health and education
in addition to income.
(3) The productive efficiency of an individual increase if he/she is skilled and healthy. In that case, he/she can earn more
income.
13. What is development? Explain the indicators used by UNDP for measuring development.
Ans. (1) Development: Development refers to progress or improvement in lifestyle. It does not mean only income but it
includes equality, security. education, health, environmental sustainability, etc.
(2) Over the past decade or so, health and education indicators have come to be widely used along with income as a
measure of development. Most importantly, the Human Development Report published by UNDP compares countries based
on the educational levels of the people, their health status and Per Capita Income. In this way, besides money, our life
depends on health and education.
(i) Per Capita Income: Income is considered to be one of the most important indicators of development. This is based on
the understanding that more income means more of all things that human beings need.
(ii) Life Expectancy at Birth: This denotes the average expected length of life of a person at the time of birth. Life
Expectancy at birth has a direct and positive relationship with the health status of a country or region.
(iii) Literacy Rate: This measures the proportion of the literate population in the 7 and above age group. Higher Literacy
Rate of a country improves its Human Development Index.
14. What is Sustainable Development? Suggest any two ways in which resources can be used judiciously.
Ans. (1) Sustainable development is the development of a country or the world not only at present but the development
which is to be continued and maintained for future generations.
(2) Following are the ways in which resources can be used judiciously :
(i) We should use eco-friendly technology.
(ii) The government should enforce environmental laws strictly.
15. Why is sustainable development essential? How does it help to prevent environmental degradation?
Ans. (1) (i) Sustainable development is essential because rapid economic growth and industrialization have led to reckless
exploitation of natural resources.
(ii) There is fear of complete exhaustion of these natural resources.
(iii) In the process of economic growth, the damage is being caused to environment and ecology which ultimately will hurt
human beings.
(2) It helps to prevent environmental degradation in the following ways :
(i) Sustainability of development means carrying out development works without causing damage to the environment and
also without making a compromise on the ability of future generation to use the resources which are being used by the
present generation.
(ii) To make development sustainable, environmental issues have to be merged in development. The technologies used
have to be made eco-friendly.
(iii) Sustainable development is a matter of discussion among different countries of the world. Global warming, acid rain, etc.
are not to be controlled by one nation. It is a global matter of thinking and finding solutions.
(iv) In order to make development sustainable, people do not overuse and degrade the quality of water so that water is
exhausted or if it remains, it is contaminated to such an extent that it becomes unusable for future generations.
16. “Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries.” Justify the
statement. Or Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries Explain the
meaning of this statement.
Ans. (1) Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries.
(2) This issue is no longer a regional or national issue.
(3) Our future is linked together. Sustainability of development is essential for all thy. mankind and it is our common
responsibility to save the environment.
(4) These days it is a matter of discussion among different countries of the world.
(5) Global warming, acid rain, etc. are not to be controlled by one nation. It is a global mat tar of thinking and finding the
solutions.
17. Explain the term ‘Development’. How is it linked with sustainability? Explain with example.
Ans. (1) Development is a process which has a notion of going further up and improving the quality of life.
(2) It is linked to sustainability since it has to be maintained for future generations.
(3) Resonance needs to be used wisely so that they can be replenished.
(4) Overuse of resources exhausts them. For example, petroleum.
(5) If development is not sustainable, it will give rise to environmental degradation and become a global problem.
18. Explain any three reasons for the issues of sustainability being important for development.
Or What is the sustainability of development? Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?
Explain with example.
Ans. (1) Sustainable development may be defined as development that meets the needs of the present generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(2) Sustainability is important for development because:
 (i) Overuse of resources alarms that reserves will last for only a few more years.
(ii) India depends on importing oil from abroad since it does not have enough stocks of its own.
(iii) There is a heavy burden on the balance of payment.
(iv) Sustainability is important for economic development in future.
19. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of
this criterion, if any?
Ans. Per Capita Income is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries. The limitation of this
criterion are :
• Per capita income is useful for comparison but it doesn’t show the distribution of income.
• It also ignores other factors such as infant mortality rate, literacy level, healthcare, etc.
• Per capita income does not give the true picture as there is a huge population which does not earn at all like children and
the senior citizens but they are also included while calculating per capita income. National income rises but its distribution
makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
20.“The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one
person”. How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss.
Ans : The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”.
This statement is relevant to the discussion of development as both resources and development go hand in hand. For
the sustainability of development, the maintenance of resources is very crucial. Needs can be fulfilled whereas greed can
never be satisfied because greed increases with every want to be fulfilled. As the statement claims, the Earth has
enough resources- renewable as well as non-renewable to satisfy everyone’s needs; however, these need to be used
with a view to keep the environment protected so that a balance of production and use is maintained and
shortages are avoided.
21. Explain the components for calculating HDI and how is it a better indicator of the country’s economic
development.
Ans. According to the UNDP Report of 1990, the main components for calculating HDI are as follows :
(i) Per Capita Income: This is the total income of the country divided by its total Population. This is also called the average
income.
(ii) Life Expectancy at birth: It denotes the average expected length of life of a person at the time of birth.
(iii) Gross Enrolment Ratio for three levels: It means enrolment ratio for primary school, secondary school and higher
education beyond the secondary level.
(2) It is a better indicator of the country’s economic development because it includes% health and education indicators in
addition to Per Capita Income. Human Development &pan published by the UN. DP compares countries based on the
educational levels of the people, their health status and Per Capita Income.