REVISITING AND REFRAMING THE CONCEPT OF ‘DEVELOPMENT BY PEOPLE’

Abstract

Alterations of social patterns and changes in mechanisms of social action form a crucial part of social change in society. Development can be often referred to as a term that mainly incorporates progress, amelioration, and change. As an orderly procedure, it reflects a sequence of activities. However, we cannot observe a halting point when it comes to development as it is characterized by its continuity. The term often recalls the functioning of major organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, or Bretton Woods Conference. Professor Yogendra Singh posited that “Development is a strategy of planned social change which is considered desirable by the members of a society.”

Participation of people in a democracy is not just a sociological imperative but also an essential part of human development and growth. Promulgation of social development can be witnessed in every corner of today’s world but its implementation remains a blurred portrait.

Premised on secondary literature, the study elucidates the meaning of ‘Development by people’ and notes its significance. Central to the theme is ‘Participation’ in development process, hence the paper elaborates on the process through which the same can be achieved. Since the nature of the participatory population varies from place to place considering the diversity and other multifarious reasons, the study also takes into account the limitations of the same approach.