26

Sustainable Economic

Development: Challenges

Facing the Developing

Nations

Chapter Outline

Conventional Economic Development Strategies and Their Impacts

What Is Wrong with Western Development Assistance

Who’s Financing International Development

Sustainable Economic Development Strategies

Employing Appropriate Technology

Creating Environmentally Compatible Systems of Production

Tapping Local Expertise and Encouraging Participation

Promoting Flexible Strategies

Improving the Status and Expanding the Role of Women

Preserving Natural Systems and Their Services

Improving the Productivity of Existing Lands

Overcoming Attitudinal and Economic Barriers

Attitudinal Barriers

Economic Barriers

Key Terms

sustainable development appropriate technologies natural systems

attitudinal barriers economic barriers developing countries

inappropriate technologies international development economic development

production systems

Objectives

1. List some of the problems with conventional economic development in developing countries.

2. Describe the goals of sustainable economic development.

3. Discuss some sustainable development strategies for developing nations.

4. Define and give an example of the following term: “appropriate technologies.”

5. List the reasons why local expertise and participation should be considered in any development program.

6. Discuss the important role of women in developing countries and why they have a central role in sustainable activities

7. Summarize the attitudinal and economic barriers to sustainability.

Lecture Outline

Conventional Economic Development Strategies and Their Impacts - Population growth, political corruption, inter- and intranational conflicts, industrial and governmental exploitation, and intervention are some of the sources of economic and environmental problems in developing nations

What is Wrong with Western Development Assistance

International development assistance, though well intentioned, has exacerbated many of the problems it sought to address.

Some development projects have actually worked at cross-purposes with others, each canceling the other's benefits.

International development efforts that do not take into account the needs of the people and their particular ecosystem can undermine the establishment of sustainable practices and cultures.

Who's Financing International Development?

Financial backing for these projects comes primarily from multilateral development and private commercial banks, development agencies of developed nations, and private foundations.

Sustainable Economic Development Strategies - A sustainable economy will operate indefinitely within the limits imposed by nature; achieving this economy will require population control, value shifts, and political restructuring.

Employing Appropriate Technology

Small scale, environmentally- and socially-compatible and responsive technology is appropriate technology. This is needed if developing nations are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the industrial nations.

Creating Environmentally Compatible Systems of Production

Sustainable development will be development geared to the human needs and environmental conditions of the country to which it is applied.

Tapping Local Expertise and Encouraging Participation

The knowledge and expertise of people indigenous to the region in need of assistance must be sought and utilized in making development decisions.

Promoting Flexible Strategies

The traditional top-down approach to development must give way to a more flexible and humane bottom-up style initiated by local people, perhaps in cooperation with NGOs.

Improving the Status and Expanding the Role of Women

Sustainable development is bound to fail if the needs and perspectives of women are not given equal status with those of men.

Preserving Natural Systems and Their Services

While sometimes initially expensive, efforts to protect and restore natural systems are integral to long-term economic and ecological health in developing countries.

Improving the Productivity of Existing Lands

Better land management practices can help reduce pressures for development of relatively undisturbed areas.

Overcoming Attitudinal and Economic Barriers

Attitudinal Barriers

A sustainable society will be one that adopts a worldview recognizing the necessity of efficiency, environmental protection, and individual responsibility.

Economic Barriers

Demilitarization, international debt reduction, and fairer distribution of resources are steps the wealthy nations can take to help foster sustainable development of less-developed nations.

Suggestions for Presenting the Chapter

Ÿ Instructors should stress that Western ideas, culture, and technologies may not be appropriate or sustainable in developing nations.

Ÿ The idea of sustainable local development is a prevalent theme in this chapter. Sustainable local and regional development is essential in both developing and developed nations.

Ÿ There are many anthropological videos that illustrate that local cultural adaptations are sustainable. Videos can be viewed during lecture or assigned for later viewing.

Ÿ Investigating local and regional organizations involved in international development/aid projects is a good way to stimulate student awareness. Speakers are often available from these organizations.