MODULE 2

Development and the

Caribbean
CAPE Caribbean Studies
Module 2: General Objectives

1 Politics, Economics & Development

2 Culture & Development

3 Technology & Development

4 Social Justice & Development

Key Concepts: What is Development?
Development: Sustainable economic and social advancements to reduce poverty
and enhance choices. It has both material (economic) and non-material
(social/cultural) components.

Three Interpretations of Development:

Enactment of Human Values: Improvement based on implementing values that raise
1
standards of living
Increasing Differentiation/Complexity: Systems become more complex with deeper
2
linkages between component parts
Liberation & Human Freedom: Growth in autonomy, options people can pursue, and
3
self-efficacy
Caribbean Scholars on Development

Dudley Seers (1979) Amartya Sen (1999)

Purpose of development: Development involves:

• Reduce poverty • Reducing deprivation

• Reduce inequality • Broadening choices

• Reduce unemployment • Expanding freedoms and capabilities

Poverty Reduction

Reducing deprivation involves addressing: hunger, illiteracy, illness and poor health,
powerlessness, voicelessness, insecurity, humiliation, and lack of access to basic
infrastructure.
Five Types of Development

Human Economic Sustainable

People-centered
Wealth & income focus Environmental balance
development

Social Political
Social amenities & welfare Governance & democracy
Human Development
Focus: People-centered development through improving human capabilities, expanding choices
and opportunities.

Four Pillars of Human Development:

EQUITY PRODUCTIVITY
Equal access to opportunities for all citizens, Full participation in income generation; building
irrespective of gender, race, or income capabilities through education and health

EMPOWERMENT SUSTAINABILITY
Power to make choices; freedom to influence Continuity of opportunities for future generations;
development and decisions affecting lives even distribution of resources
Human Development Index (HDI)
A summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human
development

Three Basic Dimensions:

1 Long & Healthy Life: Life Expectancy at Birth

2 Knowledge: Adult Literacy Rate + Mean & Expected Years of Schooling

3 Decent Standard of Living: GNP per Capita (Purchasing Power Parity)

Note: Gender and Gender Inequality are measured in a separate Gender Development Index (GDI)
Sustainable Development
Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Two Key Concepts:

1 Concept of Needs: Priority given to essential needs of the world's poor

Idea of Limitations: Technology and social organization limit environment's ability to

2 meet present and future needs

Focus: Balancing development/growth with environmental protection for present AND

future generations
Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

ECONOMIC SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL

Viable Equitable Bearable

Economic growth, job creation, Social equity, community Natural resource protection,
business development, development, health, biodiversity, pollution
sustainable production education, cultural preservation prevention, climate action

All three pillars must work together for true sustainable

development
Economic Development
Definition: Sustained increase in economic standard of living through increased
physical and human capital and improved technology.

Measured By:
• Jobs and income Economic Growth Formula:
Labour Productivity

• Rise in GDP and per capita income GDP = +

• Higher standard of living Capital Accumulation

• Increases in disposable income +

Technical Progress
• Sustained wealth impact
Focus: Wealth creation through capital investments that improve production and productivity
Social Development
Focus: Achieving persistent social well-being by improving social amenities and
providing social goods that enhance people's lives.

Social Goods & Amenities Include:

Modern water supply Educational institutions Electricity access

Healthcare for vulnerable Recreation facilities Modern road networks

Sewage disposal systems Communication systems Museums and theatres

Part of sustainable development - ensuring present social well-being

Political Development
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country"

Focus: Improvements in relationships between citizens and politicians; embracing

political institutions that foster democracy and fair play.

Key Elements:
Adherence to rule of law
Democratic political institutions
Interpretation and respect for constitution
Respect for election outcomes
Upholding human rights for ALL persons
Respect for judiciary decisions
Honoring international agreements and treaties
Interrelationships Among Approaches
Economic Human

HOLISTIC

DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable

Key Interconnections:
• All three focus on welfare and well-being of people • Economic development requires human development to be sustainable •
Sustainability requires addressing human development needs (equity, productivity, empowerment)
Indicators of Development
Indicator: A thing that indicates the state or level; a gauge or meter of a specified kind

Two Main Categories of Indicators:

ECONOMIC INDICATORS NON-ECONOMIC INDICATORS

• GDP / GNP • Life expectancy
• Per capita income • Literacy rates
• Employment levels • Infant mortality
• Industrialization levels • Access to healthcare
• Population growth rate • Educational enrollment
• Age dependency ratio • Gender equality
• Foreign debt levels • Environmental quality
• Purchasing Power Parity • Human Development Index
Development in the Caribbean Context
Historical Background (1960s-1980s):
• Post-decolonization focus on economic growth through increased production

• Ethnocentric approaches modeled uniformly, not addressing citizens' specific problems

• While production increased, citizens largely did not benefit from growth

• Led to evolution toward holistic approaches

Modern Approach - Post 1990s:

Focus on People: Human Development Paradigm puts citizens at center of development

Holistic Measurement: Using both economic AND non-economic indicators collectively

 Key Takeaways
1 Development has multiple interpretations: values, complexity, and freedom

Five types of development are interconnected: Human, Economic, Sustainable, Social,

2
Political

3 Human Development Index measures life expectancy, knowledge, and living standards

4 Sustainable development balances present needs with future generations' needs

Caribbean approach evolved from economic growth focus to holistic people-centered

5
development

6 Both economic and non-economic indicators are needed to assess true development
Study Tips for CAPE Success

1 Know Your Definitions 2 Understand Interrelationships

Memorize exact definitions of each development Don't just memorize - understand HOW the
type and be able to distinguish between them approaches connect and support each other

3 Caribbean Examples 4 Use Scholars' Names

Always provide Caribbean-specific examples when Reference Seers and Sen when discussing
discussing development concepts development theory and definitions

5 HDI Components 6 Compare Approaches

Know the THREE dimensions of HDI and what Practice comparing and contrasting economic,
indicators measure each dimension human, and sustainable development
 Questions?
Module 2: Development and the Caribbean

Remember: Use Caribbean examples and cite scholars in your essays!

Good luck with your studies!