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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

M.S.O.-3
Sociology of Development
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
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Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.
SECTION I
Q. 1. What are the multiple dimension associated with the term development?
Ans.Development: Social And Human Dimensions: Development is related with growth and it is related with the
quantum increase in the production of goods and services would bring development. Development pattern of last few
decades have shown the following trends:
The high Gross National Product (GNP) growth of developing countries has failed to reduce the socio-economic
deprivation.
High income of developed countries failed to have control on the epidemics like AIDS, violence and family
breakdowns.
Some small countries shows the way to developed countries that how to achieve the social goals skilfully.
In this way, let us discuss the concept of human development.
(a) Human Development: Human Development is a development paradigm that is about much more than the rise or
fall of national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead
productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. People are the real wealth of nations. Development is
thus about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value. And it is thus about much more than economic
growth, which is only a means if a very important one of enlarging peoples choices.
According to UNDP, nearly a third of Indias people live below the poverty line. Half of Indias women are considered
poor. UNDP supports poverty reduction programmes, focusing on human development and equitable access to income
opportchapteries and financial products.
Women and members of disadvantaged groups remain vastly under represented in Indias democratic institutions. UNDP
works to build capabilities to promote more equitable participation in democratic institutions ensure equal access to justice.
Human development has always been flexible and open-ended with respect to more specific definitions. There can
be as many human development dimensions as there are ways of enlarging peoples choices. The key or priority parameters
of human development can evolve over time and vary both across and within countries.
(b) Concern Against Ruthless, Rootless, etc. Growth: Growth is undoubtedly important, but not at any cost. It has
to be fair and just, employment-oriented and environmental-friendly, not ruthless, rootless, voiceless and futureless.
Despite the best efforts, there would be structural and transitory unemployment, but less of the fear of jobless growth.
Next to avoid is ruthless growth that increases income and wealth inequality. Free markets that reward talent and risk can
hardly be expected to aim for income and wealth equality.
The fight against inequality has to be within the realm of society and not the economy. It would appear that at the root
of all inequality is the mindset, which promotes inequality in everything housing, healthcare, education, transportation
and so on.
The pursuit of inequality is no less than a cult; some simply worship it. It begins from childhoodfrom the school that
is different for the rich and the poor and goes on thereafter. Unless the society transforms with the conviction that
inequality is incompatible with civilized life, ruthless growth is here to stay.

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Finally, as for rootless growth, there are fears with regard to cultural globalization, especially of the younger generation.
Education has to make the youth strong-willed, learn to look at variety with detachment, and throw the transient in
preference to the permanent.
Q. 2. Bring out the salient features of liberal perspective on Development.
Ans. Streams of Liberal Thought: Though all liberal doctrines possess a common heritage, scholars frequently
assume that those doctrines contain separate and often contradictory streams of thought. The objectives of liberal
theorists and philosophers have differed across various times, cultures, and continents. The diversity of liberalism can be
gleaned from the numerous adjectives that liberal thinkers and movements have attached to the very term liberalism,
including classical, egalitarian, economic, social, welfare-state, ethical, humanist, deontological, perfectionist, democratic, and institutional, to name a few. Despite these variations, liberal thought does exhibit a few definite and fundamental conceptions. At its very root, liberalism is a philosophy about the meaning of humanity and society. The individualist
element avers the ethical primacy of the human being against the pressures of social collectivism, the egalitarian element
assigns the same moral worth and status to all individuals, the melodist element asserts that successive generations can
improve their socio-political arrangements, and the universalist element affirms the moral chaptery of the human species
and marginalizes local cultural differences. The melodist element has been the subject of much controversy, defended by
thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, who believed in human progress, while suffering from attacks by thinkers such as
Rousseau, who believed that human attempts to improve themselves through social cooperation would fail.Describing
the liberal temperament, Gray claimed that it has been inspired by skepticism and by a fideistic certainty of divine
revelation, it has exalted the power of reason even as, in other contexts, it has sought to humble reasons claims. The
liberal philosophical tradition has searched for validation and justification through several intellectual projects. The
moral and political suppositions of liberalism have been based on traditions such as natural rights and utilitarian theory,
although sometimes liberals even requested support from scientific and religious circles. Through all these strands and
traditions, scholars have identified the following major common facets of liberal thought: believing in equality and
individual liberty, supporting private property and individual rights, supporting the idea of limited constitutional government, and recognizing the importance of related values such as pluralism, toleration, autonomy and consent.
Evolution Of Liberal State: Liberalism first became a powerful force in the Age of Enlightenment, rejecting several
foundational assumptions that dominated most earlier theories of government, such as hereditary status, established
religion, absolute monarchy, and the Divine Right of Kings. The early liberal thinker John Locke, who is often credited
for the creation of liberalism as a distinct philosophical tradition, employed the concept of natural rights and the social
contract to argue that the rule of law should replace absolutism in government, that rulers were subject to the consent of
the governed, and that private individuals had a fundamental right to life, liberty and property.
The revolutionaries in the American Revolution and the French Revolution used liberal philosophy to justify the
armed overthrow of tyrannical rule. The nineteenth century saw liberal governments established in nations across Europe,
Latin America, and North America. Liberal ideas spread even further in the twentieth century, when liberal democracies
triumphed in two world wars and survived major ideological challenges from fascism and communism. Conservatism,
funda-mentalism, and military dictatorship remain powerful opponents of liberalism.
There are several types of governments around the worldauthoritarian, democratic, monarchy, liberalism, communism,
socialism, etc. Of these, liberal democracy is one that has most often been associated with Western democracies and is
today considered to be the best form of government in the world. According to Sylvia Chan (2002, 39): Historically,
liberal democracy as we conceive it today developed from liberalism followed by the democratization of liberal societies.
Liberal democracy has two componentsliberalism and democracy. Liberalism is about protection of rights civil rights
and political rights and also about providing equal opportchaptery for the people. Liberalism is characterized by freedom
of thought and speech, limitations on the power of the governments, rule of law, individuals right to private property and
an elected system of government.
Q. 3. Critically examine the Marxian perspective on Development.
Ans. Marxian Idea of Development: Marxism is the only philosophy which can guide us correctly in our quest for
truth. Since no philosophy or ideology other than Marxism can throw light to reveal truth comprehensively, we accept
Marxism, consider its in depth study to be so important, and call ourselves Marxists. The fundamental difference between
Marxism and other existing philosophies is that, whereas, for acquiring knowledge, all other philosophies put the main
emphasis on individual perception, individual intellect, individual thinking capacity, or the thinking power and power of
analysis of some philosopher or other as an individual, Marxism, on the contrary, relies on experiments and verification,
objective experience, history, scientific logic and reasoning for acquiring knowledge. Marxism holds that nothing can be

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regarded as real knowledge and no truth can be correctly realized unless these are arrived at through experiments, objective experience, a correct understanding of history and strict adherence to scientific logic and reasoning. So, for the
determination of truth we cannot depend solely upon an individuals power of thinking or intellect. Mans power of
thinking and intelligence are no doubt required but in addition, experiments and objective experience are prerequisites for
determination and realization of truth. Thus, Marxism is wholly science-oriented because truth based on experiments and
verification is its basisits entire structure rests on scientific experiments, and scientific truth. Its structure is not built on
mans subjective thinking and analysis.
The development of human society takes place through various stages which is explained by Marx. Let us discuss
some of these concerns.
(a) Production Relation and Development: Marx developed his revolutionary theories over a period of four decades
beginning in 1843. He formulated his theories with the intention to liberate wage workers or labourers from the capitalist
societies of 19th century Europe. He maintained that in order to emancipate humanity from economic domination, a
social revolution was needed. The envisioned result would transform the existing economic structures, and create a
society in which property, particularly the means of production would no longer be held privately. Marxs theories were
developed in close collabouration with Friedrich Engels. Together they included an explanation of human alienation and
dialectical materialism. Marx and Engels vision was a purely materialist interpretation of human nature and development
within nature that called for revolution. It represented a materialist view of history, based on the dialectic that supported
Marxs theory of political economy and his call for revolution. The interpretation distinguished itself because of its theory
of surplus value, which asserted that the wealth of capitalist societies originates solely from the exploitation of labourers.
Marxs analysis of history saw human development as occurring due to a series of class struggles between the ruling
classes, those who possess the means of production. To Marx, feudal lords, land owners and capitalists were pitted against
the ruled working class. This claim is summed up in the opening line of The Communist Manifesto: The history of all
hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle. Marx predicted the demise of capitalism through a workers revolution
that would lead to a utopian classless society where, according to Marx, people work according to their ability and get
according to their needs and in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.
(b) Class Relation and Change: Karl Marx believed that social change is what was needed for a better society, and
to get social change there must be class conflict. Marxs major concern of social change was economic change. Marxs
most well known work dealt with class conflict, the opposition between the capitalists and the working class. The capitalists
are also known as the bourgeoisie. They are the ones that are responsible for controlling the land, factories, etc. The
working class, which is also known as the proletariat, is the workers that are being exploited by the bourgeoisie.
The key to understanding Marx is his class definition. A class is defined by the ownership of property. Such ownership
vests a person with the power to exclude others from the property and to use it for personal purposes. In relation to
property there are three great classes of society: the bourgeoisie, landowners (whose income is rent), and the proletariat
(who own their labour and sell it for a wage).
Class thus, is determined by property, not by income or status. These are determined by distribution and consumption,
which itself ultimately reflects the production and power relations of classes. The social conditions of bourgeoisie production
are defined by bourgeois property. Class is therefore a theoretical and formal relationship among individuals.
Marxists believe that the transition from capitalism to socialism is an inevitable part of the development of human
society; as Lenin stated, it is evident that Marx deduces the inevitability of the transformation of capitalist society [into
a socialist society] wholly and exclusively from the economic law of motion of contemporary society.
Marxists believe that a socialist society will be far better for the majority of the populace than its capitalist counterpart,
for instance, prior to the Russian revolution of 1917, Lenin wrote that The socialization of production is bound to lead to
the conversion of the means of production into the property of society. This conversion will directly result in an immense
increase in productivity of labour, a reduction of working hours, and the replacement of the remnants, the ruins of smallscale, primitive, dischaptered production by collective and improved labour.
Although Marx and Friedrich Engels detailed theories of Socialism in the mid-19th century, it was not until the 1920s
that Marxist Literary Theory was systematized. The greatest impetus for this standardization came after the October
Revolution of 1917 in Russia. The event instigated a change in belief around socialist ideals in government and society.
Whilst these ideals developed, Socialist Realism was accepted as the highest form of literature a theory based on an art
movement that depicted and glorified the proletariats struggle towards societal progress. These ideas guided both literary
creation and official literary criticism in Russia, where works focussed on the lives of the different classes. In the years
since then, the Russian beliefs regarding literary theory have been modified to acknowledge that literary creation is a

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result of both subjective inspiration and the objective influence of the writers surroundings. This system of belief relies
on the social classes as well as the economic and political development of society. Thus, Marxs theories intertwined
expertly with the emerging ideologies of the new Russian movement and spread throughout the world.
SECTION II
Q. 4. Examine the social dimension of globalistion in the Indian context.
Ans. Social Dimension of Globalization: The social dimension of globalization refers to the impact of globalization
on the life and work of people, on their families, and their societies. Concerns and issues are often raised about the impact
of globalization on employment, working conditions, income and social protection. Beyond the world of work, the social
dimension encompasses security, culture and identity, inclusion or exclusion and the cohesiveness of families and communities.
Globalization brings new potentials for development and wealth creation. But there are divergent views and perceptions
among people as concerns its economic and social impact, and indeed widely varying impacts on the interests and
opportunities of different sectors and economic and social actors. Some argue that the present model of globalization has
exacerbated problems of unemployment, inequality and poverty, while others contend that globalization helps to reduce
them. Of course, these problems predated globalization, but it is clear that for globalization to be politically and economically
sustainable, it must contribute to their reduction. Let us see some of the social dimensions of the globalization.
(a) Withdrawal of National Government from Social Sector: Meanwhile, governments have to play an effective
role in creating the conditions for successful integration into the global economy. Policies, including those related to
liberalization, must reflect the specifics of individual countries. Liberalization is unlikely to yield positive results without
appropriate institutions and regulations to oversee markets. These require capable and strong public administrations. The
uncertainties and change brought by globalization increase the need for many of the services provided by governments.
These include social protection and public investment in transportation, communications and other infrastructure. At the
same time, governments should work closely with others -- business, trade unions and community organizations -- to
build the capacity to cope with a more competitive global environment.
(b) Land Reforms and Deteriorating Labour Welfare: Reducing unemployment is a major challenge in both
developed and developing countries. But this alone is not enough, the World Commission report says. Many people are
employed in jobs that are unacceptableOften in appalling working conditions, low productivity or subject to coercion.
Most men and women do not have access to adequate levels of social protection, such as social security, pensions and
medical coverage. All too frequently, rights, dialogue and voice are absent from the workplace. If globalization is to
become fairer and meet the aspirations of women and men, all these issues must be addressed.
(c) Feminization of Labour: The feminization of labour is a term used to describe emerging gendered labour relations
born out of the rise of global capitalism. For instance, manufacturing jobs are now considered womens work. The global
expansion of trade, capital flows, and technology has resulted in increased formal and informal market opportunities for
women, which is referred to the feminization of labour. The expansion of neoliberal capitalism has created new job
opportunities specifically for women due to their lower reservation wages and their willingness to take on flexible and
part-time employment. Gender discrimination, violence, sweatshops, and sexual harassment are some of the adverse
results of the global feminization of labour. The feminization of labour is partially attributable to neoliberal restructuring
of the global economy through flexibilization, which refers to changes in the production process away from large factory
worksites to informal production.
(d) Poverty: Agnor (2002) examined the extent to which globalization affects the poor in low and middle-income
countries, notably the possibility of a non-linear relationship. Using individual indicators of trade and financial openness,
as well as a globalization index based on principal components analysis, to test for both linear and non-linear relationships
between globalization and poverty, he concluded that the results suggest the existence of a non-monotonic, Laffer-type
relationship between globalization and poverty.
(e) Unsustainable Development Practices: On the contrary globalization has fuelled the expansion of unsustainable
systems of production, trade and finance. Unsustainable models of development continue to prevail in industrialized
countries. Emerging economies and poor countries either freely chooses or through donor conditions are required to
emulate these unsustainable models in a bid to achieve rapid economic growth which is widely equated with societal
well-being, with devastating consequences. For instance the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science
and Technology for Development (IAASTD) has pointed out that while current modes of agricultural production have
afforded some advantages, they have also entrenched inequalities (in access to technology and food) and have aggravated
negative environmental consequences, which put in peril sustainability in the name of food security. Although there have

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been substantial increases in agricultural production in recent years, people have benefited unevenly from these yield
increases across regions. The emphasis on increasing yields and productivity has in some cases had negative consequences
on environmental sustainability.
(f) Migration and Urbanization: A large part of migration and urbanization in the less developed countries have
historically been linked to stagnation and volatility of agriculture and lack of sect oral diversification within agrarian
economy, India being no exception to this. The growth rates in agricultural production and income has been noted to be
low, unstable and disparate across regions over the past several decades, resulting in lack of livelihood opportunities in
rural areas. A low rate of infrastructural investment in public sector in the period of structural adjustment necessary for
keeping budgetary deficits low also have affected agriculture adversely. This has led to out-migration from several
backward rural areas, most of the migrants being absorbed within urban informal economy. The primary concern of
migration related policies must therefore be addressing the problems reflecting ecological footprints of large cities in
regions that have become chronically out migrating and stabilizing their agrarian economy through creation of livelihood
opportunities. Although the poor have a right to the city, they should not be forced to shift as forced migration and
transferring encompass more poignant vulnerabilities.
(g) Commercialization of Indigenous Knowledge:In the Indian context, it has been noted that women especially rural
and tribal women are dependant on nature for drawing sustenance for themselves, their families and their societies. The
destruction of nature thus becomes the destruction of womens sources for staying alive. It has been argued that Third
World women have both a special dependence on nature and a special knowledge of nature. Unfortunately, this knowledge
has been systematically marginalized under the impact of modern science. Modern reductionist science, like development,
turns out to be a patriarchal project, which has excluded women as experts, and has simultaneously excluded ecology and
holistic ways of knowing which understand and respect natures processes and interconnectedness as science.
(h) Rising Inequality in Wealth Concentration: There seems an emerging consensus that governments need to
invest in education and training, adopt core labour standards, provide and improve social protection, tackle rising national
inequality and provide space and opportunity to discuss globalization. At the international level, two sets of policy action
have received broad support in the globalization literature: a development round of trade negotiations; and a new financial
architecture. Much more discussion and research will be required at national and international levels to make globalization
a more sustainable process in social terms.
Q. 5. Examine the significance of NGOs, as civil society actors.
Ans. Non-governmental Organizations As Civil Society Actors: The regulations governing admission to different
levels of consultative status are in principle designed to privilege those NGOs of greatest relevance to the programmes of the
inter-governmental institution in question. In practice, and increasingly, such relevance is determined on purely political
grounds as part of the wider trade-off between factions amongst the member states. Some very curious bodies thus manage
to acquire consultative relationship, whilst other quite genuine bodies fail to do so. Ironically, some inter-governmental
bodies unable to relate effectively to major inter-governmental institutions through other channels, actually choose to define
themselves as non-governmental organizations in order to achieve such a relationship and are accepted in that capacity.
The rigorous approach to consultative relationship is in total contrast to the pragmatism governing any form of
consultancy practised by inter-governmental institutions (whether or not it has a system of consultative relationships).
Thus, when in need the secretariats of such institutions are usually free to involve, through a system of sub-contracting,
any nongovernmental body they choose (whether or not it exists in the above sense, or is appropriately representative).
Thus non-governmental bodies may work under formal contract, in a consultative capacity, whether or not they have any
consultative relationship. This is one reason that many non-governmental organizations find it unnecessary to seek
recognition through a system of consultative arrangements. It is also a reason why many other inter-governmental bodies
find it unnecessary to develop a system of consultative arrangements. According to some scholars NGOs are:
Private, they are institutionally separate from the state.
Self-governing, they are in control of their own affairs.
Organizations, they have institutional presence.
Non-profit organizations, they do not earn profit.
According to Paul Streeten, NGOs have certain advantages in promoting development at grassroots level. This is because:
The NGOs processes are mainly cost effective.
They promote sustainable development.
NGOs are able to reach to the poor and marginalized people.
NGOs always adopt the bottom up strategy. They work on grassroots level.
They are more innovative and flexible.

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