State Development Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

State Development - Assignment Example State can be and has been the key agent in development The concept of development has been used in different contexts over the course of time. It is often used for positive expressions pertaining to ‘good change’ or ‘progress’. However these two terms in themselves are intricate and need to be thoroughly understood. Refining it further, development may also be availed in the context of being a vision, a historical process of change in society and finally as an intentional process influenced by agencies and government. The aspect of change deliberates that development is a process. Development is a broad terminology and encompasses various subjects and may be used in diverse contexts but here we concentrate our meaning more towards the development of societies and individuals within societies. This process of development is influenced by an amalgamation of both social and political factors. What is more important to understand is that this process of change e ntails a wholesome approach, pertaining to a desirable change that occurs at all levels and is not confined to improvement in one aspect alone. It also goes a step further in that this process is continuous in nature and sustains by regular evaluations and a self-building practice. The smallest unit of this web starts at the level of an individual, while encompassing the society at large, simultaneously. It is individuals that ultimately make up a society. Therefore, change at a large scale is the reflection of change taking place at the smallest of levels. Hence, change in the thought process of an individual, their means of interaction; strategies that they use for making livelihood and their perception of themselves are what form the fundamentals of this change. This brings the fact that development entails both negative as well as positive features. Altogether, what one can at least decipher from this is that development is a product of multiple raw materials and hence can be sp oken of in multiple contexts. When speaking of development and capitalism working together two forms of development must be stressed upon namely; immanent and intentional development. The former states that development is inherently a process of self-building and growth occurring from within, without the influence of any extrinsic factors like policies. The latter, on the other hand involves the influence of policies and state agencies in giving rise to development. If we look at the start of the 19th century we realize that by its beginning capitalism had advanced into being a market society finally culminating into a global process. While when talking of development in the view of state the concept changes into being one that can be measured and analyzed statistically, hence more objectively. Therefore a developed society in this context is one that is modern and industrialized and not just rich in wealth but also one that is becoming economically stronger and striving towards gro wth and improvisation. This entails that GNP per capita is not only high but is always on the rise. This entails a set of characteristics which are mentioned as follows; the use of scientific knowledge, and its application rather than using traditional techniques. Another way of gauging the industrial development is by transition from olden subsistence farming to the commercial production of goods. Third is the evolution from the use of animal and plant power to the application of machines and last is the migration of individuals from villages to urban centers (Smelser 1968, pg126). Hence when we reflect upon the western industrialized countries what we realize is that they have undergone a process of development in their economy coupled with growth. The former includes an improved and augmented capacity and output while the latter implies an increasing GNP or GDP. This results in a higher income per capita. This modernization influences aspects relating to the quality of life by