Measuring Development Ch. 3, Greig et. al.

Developmental Statistics Statistics are always problematic, but are equally necessary. Statistics are always problematic, but are equally necessary. Economy Economy –GDP (goods and services produced) –GNP (GDP plus income from abroad mainly from property and workers’ remittances) –GDP or GNI per capita: (GDP/GNP divided by mid year population). –World Development Report (by the World Bank) Low Income Low Income Lower middle income Lower middle income Upper middle income Upper middle income High Income (OECD countries) High Income (OECD countries)

GDP and GNP But the GDP or GNI figures do not represent real price levels. What you can buy with US1$ in Switzerland is far less than in Bangladesh or Egypt. The statisticians take into account international differences in relative prices to produce a device called purchasing power parity. But what about : But what about : Inequality within nations? Inequality within nations? A further problem with GNI and GDP per capita is that they principally capture market activity. This means it mainly registers economic activity where money change hands. A further problem with GNI and GDP per capita is that they principally capture market activity. This means it mainly registers economic activity where money change hands. What about unpaid labor? What about unpaid labor? “underground economy”? “underground economy”? Illicit drug trade Illicit drug trade Ethical issues (environmental degradation – GDP per capita can place socially destructive activities on the positive side of the financial ledger). P. 34. Ethical issues (environmental degradation – GDP per capita can place socially destructive activities on the positive side of the financial ledger). P. 34.

Developmental Statistics Society Society –Demographics Population growth rates(lower income nations experienced higher population growth). Population growth rates(lower income nations experienced higher population growth). Demographic transition: (experienced by industrialized nations: low birth rate, low mortality rate). Demographic transition: (experienced by industrialized nations: low birth rate, low mortality rate). Life expectancy p.35 Life expectancy p.35 Education (universal primary school education) Education (universal primary school education) Urbanization Urbanization Composite measures of development Composite measures of development –HDI (Human Development Index) Introduced by the UNDP in 1990 Introduced by the UNDP in 1990 Scale 0-1 Scale 0-1 Norway the highest by and Sierra Leone the lowest by (2001) Norway the highest by and Sierra Leone the lowest by (2001) High, medium, low High, medium, low Table 3.1 Table 3.1

Units of Analysis The nation-state as a unit of analysis The nation-state as a unit of analysis –Methodological territorialism –In recent decades more holistic focus on global system, although controversial –Nouns to describe poorer countries –Third World, LDCs, etc. (see Box 3.2, p. 42) The problem with a collective identity The problem with a collective identity –Underemphasizes differences –Heterogeneity of poor countries The value of a collective identity The value of a collective identity –Subjective identification –Non-Aligned Movement (‘third force’)

The Language of Development Labelling has always been a difficult task. Labelling has always been a difficult task. Third World (post-Second World War period) Third World (post-Second World War period) South or Global South South or Global South (adopted to overcome problems with the label ‘Third World’) (adopted to overcome problems with the label ‘Third World’) Cold War’s East-West division is now replaced by a North-South division (rich vs. poor). Cold War’s East-West division is now replaced by a North-South division (rich vs. poor).