Human DevelopmentClass 12 Fundamentals of Human Geography NCERT Solutions
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Q1EXERCISES
(ii) Which one of the following scholars introduced the concept of Human Development?
(a)
Prof. Amartya Sen
(b)
Ellen C. Semple
(c)
Dr Mahabub-ul-Haq
(d)
Ratzel
Solution
(c) Dr Mahabub-ul-Haq
Explanation: The chapter explicitly states that "The concept of human development was introduced by Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq." He created the Human Development Index in 1990 and described human development as a process that enlarges people's choices and improves their lives.
Q1EXERCISES
(i) Which one of the following best describes development?
(a)
an increase in size
(b)
a constant in size
(c)
a positive change in quality
(d)
a simple change in the quality
Solution
(c) a positive change in quality
Explanation: According to the chapter, development is defined as a qualitative change that is always value positive. It occurs when there is a positive change in quality, leading to an increment or addition to existing conditions. An increase in size, such as population growth, is termed 'growth' and does not necessarily lead to development unless accompanied by improvements in quality of life.
Q2EXERCISES
(iii) How are countries classified on the basis of human development index?
Solution
Countries are classified into four groups based on the scores they earn in the Human Development Index (HDI), which ranges from 0 to 1. As per the Human Development Report 2023-24, the classification is as follows:
- Very High: Countries with an HDI score above 0.800.
- High: Countries with an HDI score between 0.700 and 0.799.
- Medium: Countries with an HDI score between 0.550 and 0.699.
- Low: Countries with an HDI score below 0.550.
Q2EXERCISES
(i) What are the three basic areas of human development?
Solution
The three basic areas of human development are:
- Health: This involves leading a long and healthy life, which gives people the ability to participate fully in society. It is measured by indicators like life expectancy at birth.
- Education: This refers to the ability to gain knowledge. Access to knowledge is crucial for developing talents and having a wider range of choices in life. It is measured by indicators like the adult literacy rate and gross enrolment ratio.
- Access to Resources: This means having enough means to live a decent life. It is measured in terms of purchasing power and ensures that people have the economic freedom to pursue their goals.
Q2EXERCISES
(ii) Name the four main components of human development?
Solution
The four main components, or pillars, of human development are:
- Equity: This refers to making equal access to opportunities available to everyone, irrespective of their gender, race, income, or caste.
- Sustainability: This means ensuring the continuity of opportunities for future generations. It requires the responsible use of all environmental, financial, and human resources.
- Productivity: This refers to human labour productivity. It emphasizes enriching human capabilities through better health and knowledge, as people are the real wealth of nations.
- Empowerment: This means having the power to make choices. It comes from increasing freedom and capability, supported by good governance and people-oriented policies, especially for disadvantaged groups.
Q3EXERCISES
(i) What do you understand by the term human development?
Solution
Human development is a concept that places people at the centre of the development process. Introduced by Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq, it is defined as development that enlarges people's choices and improves their lives, enabling them to lead meaningful lives. A meaningful life is not merely a long one; it is a life with purpose, where individuals are healthy, able to develop their talents, participate in society, and are free to achieve their goals.
This approach contrasts with the earlier view that measured a country's development solely by its economic growth. Human development asserts that the quality of life, opportunities, and freedoms are the true indicators of progress. The core of this concept is building human capabilities. The key areas for capability building are health, education, and access to resources. When people have capabilities in these areas, their choices expand. For instance, an educated person has more career choices than an uneducated one. Therefore, human development is the process of expanding freedoms and opportunities for all people to live lives they value.
Q3EXERCISES
(ii) What do equity and sustainability refer to within the concept of human development?
Solution
Equity and sustainability are two of the four foundational pillars of human development. They provide the framework for ensuring that development is fair and long-lasting.
Equity refers to the principle of making opportunities equally accessible to everybody. It means that a person's access to education, healthcare, and resources should not be determined by their gender, race, income, or social background. The goal of equity is to create a level playing field where every individual has a fair chance to realise their potential. For example, the high number of school dropouts among women and socially backward groups in India indicates a lack of equity, as their choices are limited by not having access to knowledge.
Sustainability refers to the continuity in the availability of opportunities. It means that the opportunities available to the present generation must also be available to future generations. This requires a responsible and forward-thinking approach to the use of all resources—environmental, financial, and human. Misusing resources today would deprive future generations of their choices. For instance, a community that neglects the education of its girls curtails the opportunities for those girls when they become adults, thereby failing the principle of sustainability for the next generation.