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Factors that Constitute Development

Rural to Urban Migration

The difference between developed countries like the United States and developing countries like countries in Africa is that developed participate more to the global economy. Developing a country is an international goal excluding culturally lead countries who do not necessarily fin importance in global economy participation. Aside from them governments across the world work to develop their countries. There are factors that constitute development in countries. They are growth and structural change, distribution of income, political transformation, and rural to urban migration. This essay will critically discuss these factors.

Growth and Structural Change

Low developing countries depend on the agricultural sector the most. This results in limited opportunities in secondary and tertiary sectors. These sectors have less employees and less opportunities. Highly developed countries depend on their tertiary sector. This is because there is equal productivity in all sectors. Production in agriculture brings productivity in the secondary sector giving opportunity to the tertiary sector. Developing countries need to make structural changes that will improve production and opportunities in all sectors.

Distribution of income

Even though growth in a country does not guarantee equality, equal distribution of the country’s wealth is highly recommended. Evenly distributed income means more people will be granted spending power. This will only lead to a more active economy.

Demographic Transition

For a government to succeed in developing their country they need to ensure government funds are used effectively in projects that aim to improve the lives of citizens. It is a proven fact that small country populations are easier to manage. Governments must focus on strategies that will help drop the death rate and the birth rate of their country. This will accelerate the progress of the country

Rural to Urban Migration

Citizens from rural areas do not contribute much to the economy. A small percentage of these citizens actually pays tax and has employment. The shift from rural areas to urban areas will result to modernization of towns. This will lead to more employment and economic growth. The migration will allow minors quality education and other social services.

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Part 4

Experts use many different aspects to accurately identify individuals who belong under the poverty line. The fraction of income expenditure. Any fraction below 40% of income expenditure is identified as poor by experts. Poverty datum line which is divided into 2 lines; the primary poverty datum line and the secondary poverty datum line. The primary poverty line focuses on the costs of food, clothes, cleansing material. The secondary poverty line focuses on the costs of taxation, accommodation, and transport. Minimum living level: the littlest amount that can be shared within a specific size of household. The household substance level and household effective level: these levels include no provision of education, medical expenses, savings, insurance and etc. Upper and lower bound poverty line: the cost of basic needs per person in a household per month. The upper bound poverty line was set at R593 per person per month. The lower bound poverty line was set at R322 per person per month. Food security measures: the minimum cost of nutritionally balanced diet per household.

The implementation of Standards set by experts to identify poverty is different from what individuals in communities consider as poverty. Many surveys and questionnaires have been used to find out what ordinary people consider as poverty. The minimum income question was used to asked people what amount of income they would consider as minimum. The get along question was used to ask individuals what minimum amount a household would need weekly to get along in the community. It is such questions that are used to find out what ordinary individuals consider as poverty, based on comparison within their community and the standards set by society.

Peter Townsend defined poverty as the failure to engage in society-approved activities. It is the inability to live up to the living standards set by society due to economic and eventually social deprivation. Townsend redefined poverty as the matter of little economic importance in affluent western societies (Shaw, 1988:27)

Poverty as Challenge in South Africa

South Africa as a developing country has a very high poverty line, which means many are under it. With majority of South African citizens living in poverty one may question what exactly sets the standards of the poverty line and what poverty really is. This essay will not only define poverty but will also explain the different dimensions that make the definition of poverty. With so many South Africans suffering from poverty the government has implemented ways to financially assist individuals and communities. As we proceed to read the essay we will find out the advantages of being a South African living in poverty.

What is the definition of poverty? The simplied answer would be the inability and deprivation of basic needs like food, shelter and education and as well as the deprivation of entertainment and luxurious experiences that may result to social exclusion. There are many aspects that determine the poverty line and who belongs below it.

Some of these aspects are:

Poverty as s material aspect.

This definition understands poverty as a lack of material goods and services. (Spicker 2007:230) Failing to gain access to goods and services you may need or want, regardless of if they are basic needs or wants, does classify one as below the poverty line.

A pattern of deprivation.

Poverty generally refers not just to deprivation, but to deprivation experienced over a period of time. (Spicker 1993)

Limited resources.

The inability to gain access to the things you may want or need. This may be caused by the lack of income, the lack of resources, or the lack of wealth.

Inequality.

People may be below the poverty line if compared to others in society they seem to be living off a smaller income which means they have some inability to afford as much as others.

Social exclusion.

The inability to relate to people by wealth, the brands they wear, and the entertainment they are interested in may result in social exclusion.

To assist majority of South Africans who suffer from poverty, the government have implemented financial programmes that would give assistance to those who deserve it. The financial challenge South Africa faces today is caused by the economic exclusion people of colour in South Africa faced in the past. These programmes are an attempt by the government to involve everyone regardless of colour and to give them a just-as-fair opportunity to play part of the economy. The government does this by supplying Old Age Grant to civilians older than 60 years of age, Disability Grant to civilians who suffer from disabilities that prevent them from finding employment, Child Support Grant for children who are deprived of financial support, and Foster Child Grant for children who are separated from their birth parents, Care Dependency Grant for children that need permanent care and support due to physical disability, Grant of Aid for adults that need permanent care and support due to physical disability, and War Veterans’ Grant for veterans of the two world wars. These grants are given to civilians every month. This financial support assists many households living in poverty. It is safe to say the government’s attempt to include people of colour in the economy is successful so far.

In conclusion, to give poverty a single definition would be disregarding the other aspects that make the standards of poverty. Poverty as a material aspect, social exclusion, inequality, limited resources, and a pattern of deprivation are some of the aspects that define the word poverty. The government’s efforts to include the poor in the economy by providing social grants makes being a South African living in poverty a lot easier as they are given financial means to access basic needs.