Chapter 1: What is development? Beyond Economic Growth: An Introduction to Sustainable Development By Tatyana P. Soubbotina

Overview of Chapter 1: What is development? Development is hard to measure Goals and means of development Is economic growth development? What is sustainable development? Classic definitions of sustainability

What is development? What does development mean? Which countries are “developed”? It is easy to measure “richer” and “poorer”. Does this mean developed? Harder to measure issues: Equitable sharing of wealth? Quality of life: access to education and health care; employment opportunities; clean air; clean water; safety; etc.

Goals and means of development The United Nations measures “human development” by life expectancy, adult literacy, access to education, as well as income (wealth) Human development is goal, economic growth is the means Economic growth may not lead to human development Maybe environmental or social losses are large? Maybe wealth not fairly shared? Slow economic growth hinders human development Slow human development hinders economic growth

What is sustainable development? Differing definitions of “sustainable” United Nations: Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Sustainable is “equitable and balanced” Equitable across groups of people and across generations Balanced across objectives (economic, social, environmental) Fig. 1.2 Sustainable development is difficult There is no clear way to balance competing objectives International & global cooperation is required Is eradicating extreme poverty the most critical goal?