BSOG 173
RETHINKING DEVELOPMENT
IGNOU BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment July 2024 & Jan 2025
Assignment-I
Q 1. Explain dimensions of development.
Ans. Development is a word we hear a lot when people talk about improving lives, countries, or societies.
But development is not just about building roads or earning more money. It is about making life better for people in many ways.
So, when we talk about the dimensions of development, we mean the different areas in which growth or progress happens.
Development has several sides, and all of them are important to make a person’s life comfortable, safe, and meaningful.
These dimensions go beyond just the economic aspect. They include social, political, environmental, cultural, and even spiritual aspects.
To truly understand development, we need to look at it as a whole, not just in terms of money or infrastructure.
The first and most commonly known dimension is economic development. This refers to how much a country or individual earns, how many industries and businesses there are, and how strong the economy is.
It includes things like increase in income, production of goods and services, creation of jobs, trade, and investments.
A country with good economic development usually has higher GDP (Gross Domestic Product), better employment opportunities, and more financial stability.
But it is also important to understand that economic development alone is not enough. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
A person may have a job and earn money, but if they are unhealthy, uneducated, or unsafe, their life may still not be fully developed.
That brings us to the second dimension, which is social development. This refers to how society grows in terms of health, education, equality, and basic services.
Social development means that people have access to hospitals, schools, clean water, sanitation, and housing. It also means everyone is treated equally regardless of their gender, caste, religion, or background.
When people are educated and healthy, they can contribute better to society.
So, education and health are two of the most important parts of social development. In a socially developed society, people feel respected and included, and their basic human rights are protected.
Another major dimension is political development. This deals with how people are given a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
It includes the functioning of democratic institutions, rule of law, free and fair elections, transparency, and accountability in government.
Political development ensures that leaders are chosen by the people and that everyone has the right to express their opinions without fear. It also makes sure there is justice and that corruption is controlled.
A strong political system gives people a sense of security and belonging.
It also allows for peaceful changes and improvements in society through proper laws and policies. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
The environmental dimension of development is becoming increasingly important today. With growing pollution, climate change, and deforestation, we must think about how our development affects nature.
Environmental development means using natural resources wisely, reducing pollution, protecting forests and wildlife, and finding ways to grow without harming the planet. Sustainable development is a key idea here.
It means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
A truly developed society is one that takes care of nature while growing its economy and improving people’s lives.
Another important dimension is cultural development. This means respecting and promoting a society’s traditions, languages, art, music, and ways of life. Culture gives people identity and a sense of belonging.
It connects generations and helps communities stay united. In a rapidly changing world, development should not destroy traditional values and local culture.
Instead, it should support and preserve them while allowing new ideas to grow.
A country that ignores its culture may become rich in money but poor in values. So, cultural development ensures that modernization happens in a balanced way without losing touch with the roots.
Human development is another key dimension. It is a broader idea that brings together many other dimensions. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Human development focuses on expanding people’s choices and improving their overall quality of life.
It gives importance to health, education, freedom, and dignity.
The Human Development Index (HDI), prepared by the United Nations, measures this by combining life expectancy, education level, and income.
It shows that development is not only about how much a country earns, but also about how well people live.
A country may have a strong economy, but if its people are not educated or healthy, it cannot be called truly developed.
Spiritual and emotional development is also becoming an important part of how we understand growth. A person may be rich, educated, and healthy, but if they are not happy or mentally peaceful, their development is incomplete.
Emotional well-being, inner peace, kindness, and a sense of purpose are also essential parts of life. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Spiritual development doesn’t always mean religion; it can also mean being in touch with one’s values, having compassion for others, and finding meaning in life.
Many countries and organizations now recognize that happiness and mental peace are just as important as money and physical health.
Technological development is another vital dimension. It refers to the use of science and innovation to improve life.
From smartphones to advanced medical tools, technology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate.
It helps in solving problems, spreading education, improving health care, and making industries more efficient.
However, technology should be used responsibly. While it can improve lives, it can also create problems like job loss due to automation or increased screen time harming mental health.
So, balanced and ethical use of technology is a part of smart development.
Q 2. Discuss the Wallerstein’s world systems theory of social development.
Ans. Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory is a very important idea in the study of social development. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
It was developed by the American sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein in the 1970s.
He wanted to explain how the world has become so unequal, with some countries being very rich and powerful while others remain poor and dependent.
Instead of looking at individual countries in isolation, Wallerstein believed we must look at the entire world as one big social system where countries are linked together through trade, politics, and history.
His theory helps us understand how the world economy has been shaped over hundreds of years and how it continues to affect the development of different societies today.
At the heart of Wallerstein’s theory is the idea that the modern world is organized into a single economic system, which he called the “world-system.”
This system is not new—it started during the 16th century with the rise of European colonialism and expansion.
During that time, Europe began to explore, trade, and take control over parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Wallerstein argued that this was the beginning of a global system where some countries became rich by using the labor and resources of other regions. This system continues even today in a different form.
Wallerstein divided the world into three main types of regions: core, semi-periphery, and periphery. Each of these parts plays a different role in the global economy. The core countries are the most powerful and wealthy.
They have strong governments, advanced technology, and high levels of education and industry.
Countries like the United States, Germany, Japan, and the UK are examples of core nations.
These countries control most of the world’s trade and financial systems. They produce high-value goods and services, and they benefit the most from global business.
Then there are the periphery countries. These are the least developed regions. They often have weak governments, poor infrastructure, and economies based on agriculture or raw materials.
Many countries in Africa, parts of Latin America, and South Asia fall into this category. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
In the world-system, periphery countries are often exploited by core nations. They provide cheap labor, natural resources, and raw materials, but they do not get fair returns.
For example, a country may export raw cotton to a core nation, which then turns it into expensive clothes and sells them back at a much higher price.
This creates an unequal relationship where the periphery stays dependent and underdeveloped.
The third group is the semi-periphery. These countries are in the middle—they are more developed than the periphery but not as advanced as the core.
They might have some industries, growing cities, and a mix of wealth and poverty.
Countries like Brazil, South Africa, India, and Mexico are often seen as semi-periphery.
They play a balancing role in the world system. Sometimes they exploit poorer countries, and sometimes they are exploited by richer ones.
The semi-periphery can move up or down in the system depending on how their economy and politics evolve.
One of the key ideas in Wallerstein’s theory is that this system is not fair or natural—it was created by history and maintained through power.
Core nations became rich because they had the power to control trade, colonize other lands, and take resources. Development, in this view, is not something that happens equally for everyone.
Instead, some countries grow by holding others back. This explains why, even after decades of independence, many former colonies still struggle with poverty, debt, and weak economies. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Wallerstein also explained that this world-system is always changing. Countries do not stay in the same position forever. For example, in the past, countries like Spain and Portugal were once powerful core nations.
But over time, their influence decreased, and others like the United States and Germany became more dominant.
Similarly, some semi-periphery countries are now rising and challenging the power of core countries.
China, for example, is moving quickly from semi-periphery toward becoming a core nation due to its strong economy, advanced technology, and global trade influence.
Another important aspect of Wallerstein’s theory is the idea of division of labor across the world.
Core countries specialize in high-profit industries like finance, technology, and medicine, while periphery countries are kept in low-profit jobs like farming, mining, and basic manufacturing.
This global division of labor keeps the profits flowing to the core and limits the development of the periphery.
Even when periphery countries try to develop their own industries, they often face competition and pressure from powerful global companies and governments.
Wallerstein’s world-systems theory also shows us that development is not only about what happens inside a country.
Many development theories in the past focused only on national policies, leadership, or culture. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
But Wallerstein showed that a country’s success or failure also depends on its position in the global system.
Even with good leadership and smart planning, a country in the periphery may still face big challenges because of unfair trade rules, historical exploitation, and global market pressures.
This is a big reason why some nations remain poor even after many years of effort.
Although Wallerstein’s theory was first introduced decades ago, it still has great relevance today.
We can see how rich countries continue to dominate the global economy through institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO).
These institutions are often controlled by core nations and can influence the economic policies of poorer countries.
Also, global companies headquartered in core countries often earn big profits from cheap labor in periphery nations without sharing the benefits fairly.
Assignment-II
Q 3. What is cultural factor of development?
Ans. The cultural factor of development is one of the most important but sometimes overlooked aspects when we talk about the growth and progress of a society or nation. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Development is often measured in terms of income, industries, education, or technology. But culture also plays a deep and meaningful role in shaping how people live, think, work, and grow together.
Culture includes our beliefs, values, traditions, customs, language, religion, art, music, and ways of social behavior.
It influences our everyday choices, attitudes, and how we relate to others. In short, culture forms the identity of a community, and this identity affects how development happens and how it is accepted or rejected by people.
When a society has a culture that supports education, hard work, discipline, innovation, and respect for rules, development becomes faster and more stable.
People in such societies are more likely to invest in learning new skills, starting businesses, and helping their community grow.
For example, in countries where education is considered a basic part of life and where both boys and girls are encouraged to study, you will often see higher levels of progress.
On the other hand, if a culture puts limitations on women or certain groups of people, or if it holds on too strongly to traditions that prevent change, then development may slow down.
So, culture can either help or block development, depending on what values and habits are followed. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Language is another part of culture that plays a strong role. It is the main way people communicate and share knowledge. A shared language builds unity and allows people to work together more easily.
In contrast, when there are language barriers, misunderstandings can happen, and development plans may not succeed.
Also, cultural attitudes toward time, work, and money affect how people behave in economic situations.
In some cultures, being on time, planning ahead, and saving money are taught from a young age. These habits lead to better results in both personal and national development.
Religion, festivals, art, music, and traditional stories also play a big part in shaping people’s mindset.
A community that respects diversity and encourages creative expression often has a more open and positive approach to growth.
Moreover, cultural pride gives people a sense of belonging and confidence.
When people feel proud of who they are and where they come from, they are more motivated to improve their lives and contribute to the development of their society.
However, for development to be meaningful, it must also respect the culture of the people involved. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Imposing change without understanding local customs and values can create resistance and failure.
That is why successful development programs are those that work with the local culture, not against it.
Q 4. Discuss social perspective on human development.
Ans. The social perspective on human development focuses on how people grow and improve not just as individuals, but as part of society.
It looks at how relationships, social structures, communities, and cultural backgrounds shape a person’s life.
While economic progress and personal achievements are important, human development is not complete unless we understand the social environment in which a person lives.
This includes things like family, education, health care, equality, justice, and freedom. All these factors together affect a person’s ability to live a full and meaningful life.
From the social point of view, development is not just about income or material wealth. It is about improving the overall quality of life for all people, especially those who are poor, marginalized, or left behind.
Social development means that people should have access to good education, proper health services, clean water, food, shelter, and basic rights.
It also means creating a society where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their caste, gender, religion, or background.
When people are respected and given equal opportunities, they feel empowered to improve their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
One of the main goals of the social perspective on development is inclusion.
It asks important questions: Are all children going to school? Do women have the same chances as men? Are the elderly and disabled people being taken care of? A truly developed society is one that includes everyone and supports their growth.
This view focuses more on people’s real-life situations rather than just numbers and statistics. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
It understands that if a country becomes rich but its people are unhealthy, uneducated, or unhappy, then real development has not taken place.
Human development also includes freedom and dignity. People should be able to make their own choices, express themselves freely, and live without fear or discrimination.
Development should give people the power to control their own lives.
For example, a woman who is educated, healthy, and free to work or vote is more developed than one who is denied these rights, even if both live in the same country.
Social development ensures that no one is left behind and that every human being has the chance to reach their full potential.
Education plays a major role in this process. When people are educated, they are more aware of their rights and more likely to fight for justice and fairness.
Health care is also important because a healthy person can work, learn, and live better.
Social perspective supports the idea that governments and societies should work together to make sure that all people, especially the weaker sections, are given support and protection. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Q 5. Describe migrations and its forms.
Ans. Migration is the movement of people from one place to another in search of better living conditions, jobs, safety, or opportunities.
It is a natural part of human life and has been happening since ancient times. People move for many reasons—some are forced to leave their homes because of war, poverty, or natural disasters, while others move by choice to improve their quality of life.
Migration plays an important role in shaping societies, cities, and even countries. It affects the economy, culture, and social relationships of both the place people leave and the place they move to.
There are different forms of migration, based on how far people move, why they move, and whether they cross national borders or not.
The most basic way to understand migration is by dividing it into two types: internal migration and international migration.
Internal migration means moving from one place to another within the same country. For example, someone moving from a village to a city within India is an internal migrant. This type of migration is very common, especially in developing countries.
People often move from rural areas to urban areas in search of better jobs, education, and healthcare. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
It can also happen the other way, from city to village, especially when people want to return to their roots or live in a peaceful environment.
Internal migration can be temporary or permanent, depending on the person’s plan and reason for moving.
International migration, on the other hand, is when people move from one country to another. This type of migration is more complex, as it involves visas, passports, laws, and different languages and cultures.
People may migrate internationally for work, education, family, or safety. Some people settle permanently in the new country, while others return after a few years.
A large number of Indians, for example, migrate to countries like the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and the UK for better job opportunities.
Migration can also be classified based on the reason behind it. When people are forced to migrate due to war, natural disasters like earthquakes or floods, or threats to their life, it is called forced migration.
Refugees and people who are displaced due to conflicts fall into this category. On the other hand, voluntary migration happens when people choose to move for a better lifestyle, education, or job. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Another form is seasonal migration, where people move for a short time during a certain season. For example, farm laborers might move to other states during the harvesting season and return home later.
Then there is rural-to-urban migration, which is very common in developing countries. People leave their villages and small towns and move to big cities to find work and a better standard of living.
Assignment-III
Q 6. Urbanization
Ans. Urbanization is the process by which more and more people start living in cities and towns instead of villages or rural areas.
It usually happens when people move from the countryside to cities in search of better job opportunities, education, health care, and modern lifestyles.
Urbanization is a sign of progress and development, but it also brings many challenges. It changes the way people live, work, and interact with each other.
As cities grow, they become centers of trade, culture, technology, and government activities. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
In developing countries like India, urbanization is increasing very fast. Many people leave their villages because they are not able to find good jobs, proper schools, or hospitals in rural areas.
They believe that cities can offer them a better future. So, they migrate to cities in large numbers.
As a result, cities become crowded. New buildings, roads, markets, and industries are built to meet the needs of the growing population. This is how small towns turn into big cities over time.
There are many benefits of urbanization. Cities offer more job options in factories, offices, shops, and services.
People can find better educational institutions and access to colleges and training centers. Health care is more advanced in cities, with better hospitals and more doctors.
Cities also provide modern facilities like electricity, internet, transport, and entertainment. Urban life is fast and dynamic, and many people enjoy the opportunities and experiences it brings.
Q 7. HDI
Ans. The Human Development Index, or HDI, is a way to measure and compare the development of countries. It was introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Unlike other measures that only focus on money or economic growth, HDI looks at the overall well-being of people in a country. It tries to find out how well people are living, not just how rich the country is.
HDI is based on three main factors. The first is health, which is measured by the average life expectancy of people. A longer life usually means better health care and living conditions.
The second factor is education, which looks at how many years of schooling people complete and how many years of education children are expected to get.
Education is important for better jobs and an informed society. The third factor is income, which is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per person.
It shows the average earning of people in a country.
HDI gives each country a score between 0 and 1. A higher score means better human development. Countries are ranked as low, medium, high, or very high in human development. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
HDI helps governments understand where they need to improve, whether it’s in health, education, or income. It reminds us that development should be about people’s lives, not just economic numbers.
Q 8. Sectoral Development
Ans. Sectoral development means the progress and growth of different parts or “sectors” of the economy.
Every country’s economy is made up of different sectors, mainly the primary sector, secondary sector, and tertiary sector.
Each of these plays an important role in a country’s development, and sectoral development focuses on improving all of them in a balanced way.
The primary sector includes farming, fishing, forestry, and mining—activities that use natural resources directly.
In many developing countries, a large part of the population depends on this sector for their livelihood. Improving irrigation, using better seeds, and giving support to farmers helps this sector grow.
The secondary sector involves industries and factories. It takes raw materials from the primary sector and turns them into goods like clothes, tools, machines, and food products. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Developing this sector creates jobs and supports industrial growth.
The tertiary sector is the service sector. It includes education, health care, transport, banking, tourism, and more.
As countries grow, this sector becomes more important because people demand better services.
Sectoral development is important because no country can grow by focusing only on one sector.
All three sectors must progress together to create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve living standards.
Governments often make policies and plans to support sectoral growth and maintain balance between agriculture, industry, and services.
Q 9. Displacement
Ans. Displacement means when people are forced to leave their homes or land due to certain reasons beyond their control.
It is not a voluntary choice, but something that happens because of problems like natural disasters, war, construction of big projects like dams or highways, or social and political conflicts. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
When people are displaced, they lose not only their homes but also their way of living, their land, and their connection to the place where they have lived for years.
There are two main types of displacement. Natural displacement happens when people have to leave due to floods, earthquakes, cyclones, or droughts.
Their homes become unsafe or completely destroyed. Man-made displacement occurs when people are removed from their land for development projects such as building large dams, roads, airports, mining, or industries.
In many cases, tribal communities and villagers are affected, as their lands are taken away with little or no proper support.
Displacement brings many problems. People often lose their jobs, face poverty, and find it hard to adjust to a new place.
Children’s education gets disturbed, and access to health care and basic needs becomes difficult. Emotional pain and stress also affect those who are displaced.
To reduce the pain of displacement, governments and agencies must ensure proper rehabilitation, fair compensation, and respect for the rights of affected people. Development should never come at the cost of human suffering.
Q 10. Inclusive Development
Ans. Inclusive development means growth and progress that includes everyone in society, especially the poor, weak, and disadvantaged groups.
It is about making sure that every person, no matter their background, gender, caste, religion, or physical ability, gets equal opportunities to grow, learn, earn, and live a good life. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Inclusive development focuses not just on economic progress, but also on social justice, equality, and human dignity.
In many countries, development benefits only a small part of the population, while others remain poor and excluded.
Inclusive development tries to change this. It ensures that resources, services, and opportunities reach every section of society, especially those who are often left behind.
This includes women, children, senior citizens, differently-abled people, and people living in remote or backward areas.
For inclusive development to happen, governments must make policies that focus on quality education, health care, employment, housing, and social security for all.
It also means involving people in decision-making and respecting their voices. Development should not harm the environment or displace communities without proper care. BSOG 173 Free Solved Assignment 2024
Inclusive development creates a balanced, fair, and peaceful society. When everyone gets a chance to contribute and grow, the whole nation becomes stronger.
Real progress is not just building big cities or industries, but lifting up every citizen and making sure no one is left behind.
IGNOU BSOG 171 Free Solved Assignment 2024