development (society)

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In the social sciences, the acquisition by a society of industrial techniques and technology; hence the use of the term ‘developed’ to refer to the nations of the Western capitalist countries and the Eastern communist countries, and the term ‘underdeveloped’ or ‘developing world’ to refer to poorer, non-aligned nations. The terms ‘more economically-developed countries’ (MEDC) and ‘less economically-developed countries’ (LEDC) are now used.

Since the 1960s there has been growing awareness of the damaging effects of human activities on the natural environment, and the assumption that industrial development is good has been increasingly questioned. Many universities now have academic departments of development studies that address the theoretical questions involved in proposed practical solutions to problems in the developing world. These nations face a number of conflicts between their need to develop economically and the environmental consequences of that development. Most developing countries have an increasing population, chiefly because death rates are decreasing and birth rates remain high, and this puts new pressures on already scarce resources. Developing nations are being encouraged to work their way out of their problems through sustainable development, using technology appropriate to local needs and resources. The World Bank and other international organizations provide funds for development.

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