I. MANING OF DEVELOPMENT

• The concept of development emerged in social sciences post-World War II, guiding newly independent nations.
• Early signs of this idea trace back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with theories of social change.
• Development is seen as a process transforming systems or institutions into stronger, more organized, efficient, and satisfying forms.
• It differs from progress, as development is measurable empirically, while progress involves normative judgments.
• Advanced society characteristics are identified, and the transition from lower to higher forms is analyzed in the development process.
• Development involves conscious efforts towards specific goals, and the society's distance from the goal determines its level of development.
• J.H. Mittelman defines development as the increasing capacity to rationally use resources for social ends, contrasting with underdevelopment as a hindrance to rational transformation.
• Paul Baran describes development as a far-reaching transformation of society's economic, social, and political structure.
• Walter Rodney views development as a many-sided process, involving increased skills, freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility, and material well-being.
• The aim of development is to optimize natural and human resources to achieve social ends.
• Underdevelopment refers to factors hindering this effort.
• The concept of development primarily addresses "developing countries" or the "third world."