Reflective Writing on Economic Development, Cuba, and Post-Development

This reflective writing assignment delves into the multifaceted concept of economic development. It begins by exploring the definition of economic development, emphasizing its role in improving social, economic, and political well-being, and how it's measured, including per capita GDP and the human development index. The assignment then presents individual diary entries reflecting on the views of Alex Arnall and Nick Bardsley. Arnall discusses measuring development, poverty reduction, and the evolution of economic indicators like GDP and HDI. Bardsley analyzes Cuba's oil stock economy, detailing the strategies employed during the oil crisis and the role of organic farming. The assignment concludes with a reflection on post-development, examining the impact of Western ideologies, the importance of grassroots participation, and the complexities of global relations in promoting economic advancement. It highlights the importance of considering diverse cultural values, addressing political issues, and promoting humanitarian values for effective modernization, as well as how factors like political imbalances and health issues affect post development.

Reflective writing

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
INDIVIDUAL DIARY ENTRIES..................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Economic development may be defined as the process of through which a nation
improves the social wellbeing, economic status and political status of a people in a country. It is
the economic growth of the standard of living of a people in nation moving from low income to
high income (Ottenberg and et.al., 2016). Economic development of nation can be measured by
different ways especially measuring standard of living of people per capita GDP which is
normally referred as per capita income which is also used as important indicator for monitoring
economic growth of a nation. Also, the assignment will describe about Cuba oil stock economy
that how they were able to maintain their economic growth despite of oil crises. At last it will
discuss about post development in GDP that what the factors of measuring post GDP of nation
are.
INDIVIDUAL DIARY ENTRIES
18 October 2018- Alex Arnall on Measuring Development
According to Alex Arnall, poverty reduction is the main goal when it comes to economic
development of the country. For the development of economy, it is very important to control the
poverty in the nation. Measurement for poverty closely reflects popular paradigms of
development which developed from simple economic indicators to more tough assessments. It is
true that if the poverty is less than it will leads to great development in the nations and if there
are nations have high rate of poverty than nations will be called as under-developed country. The
growth and development perspective are changing but still the procedure to measure the
economic growth is still same as 1960 which are Gross Domestic Product (value of goods and
services manufactured within country), Gross national Product (value of goods and services
claimed by residents) and Gross national income. These are the effective measures to identify
economic growth of the country.
Alex Arnall articulated that meaning of economic growth as it is the percent rate of
increase in real GDO or real GDP per capita. Basically, growth is measured in real terms so that
the distorting effects of inflation on the price of produced goods are eliminated. Per person
growth is equals to per capita income. These measures are also used to divide nations into
categories of development which are high, low and medium.
In 1980, human development index was developed in order to add three major
dimensions of human development which are longevity, knowledge and living standard. It is the
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whole statistics that is used to rank countries by the level of development in humans. Health,
income and education in the nation are measured by human development index.
Another measure for economic development is level of inequalities in the nation or
country. Inequality arises when people living in the country do not acquire same level of material
and entire living standard. Inequality directly impact on the sustainable development of the
nations. It does not only erode collective efforts in order to control or reduce poverty, achieve
economic growth as well as raise social mobility. Political tension is also raised by inequality.
Thus, in order to identify economic development of any nations, inequality is also one of the
measures by which economic growth and development will be ascertain.
Positivism and Constructivism are two approaches in in-equality and poverty. Positivist
denotes what is truth like Poverty and Inequality is very bad and hinders the economic
development of the country. But constructivism approach denotes no single reality as everyone
views is different. For example- some people say that individual is earning just because of
his/her efforts, why should he donate but on the other hand, some people says that there should
be equal distribution of income in the country. So, the economic development of any nation is
measured by the calculating level of poverty, inequalities prevailing in the nation.
But as per my views Growth and structural change can be an effective tool for measuring
the economic growth of a nation. India being a developing country it has been growing and its
structure has taken a dynamic change from last few decades. As the economy of the nation grows
it brings change in the structure of a nation. Structural change is a basic way of measuring the
economic growth of a nation when the economy of country grows it brings growth and
development in nation. With growth and structural change of a nation it results in rise in the
living standards of people. For example, I have analysed the per capita income growth rate of
India I have analysed the importance of growth rate of GDP which is growing also there has
been change in the production structure of a nation with the growth in economy. India's
production structure has shifted from agricultural to manufacturing and service. So, based up on
this I can say that growth and structural change of a nation can be a tool for measuring the
economic growth of a nation. It gives information related to how high or low social status of
people is, what capability they possess, etc.
6 December 2018- Nick Bardsley on Cuba’s oil stock economy
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As said by Nick Bardsley Cuba’s special period reflects on how instead of oil shortage
nation was able to fulfil their needs. Also, what strategies or action was taken by government as
well people in food production? From organic agriculture nation per capita income in food was
more than GDP. The way of doing farming was transformed both in rural and urban areas.
Cuba was majorly dependent on USSR for its energy needs. But in 1990 due to
dissolution of USSR, Russian oil export went down to 90%. It resulted in economic depression
in Cuba. Thus, there was high oil crises, food shortage, etc. this highly impacted on health of
people as well. Therefore, in order to fulfil needs food consumption was increased. Moreover,
food security reforms were developed. It supported in rise in exports.
I believed Cuba’s oil stock growth played a crucial role in maintaining its development.
Also, I analyzed that not only USSR was responsible for economic shutdown but also Cuba
dependency on it. I observed that Camelos energy efficiency was useful in overcoming oil crises.
It allowed people to save energy. Also, I realized that through other improvements Cuba was
able to resolve economic crises problem. It gave an example to world about how through organic
farming, nation market economy is maintained. Furthermore, I noticed that even though low
GDP, a country can overcome several issues related to overconsumption of resources. I believe
that other countries can take example of Cuba in event of global oil shortage. It would be easy
for them to improvise market condition in spite of low GDP. In my view in recent time oil stock
plays vital role in economic growth of nation. But through organic farming, food production can
be increased. It will also help in conserving energy. It is necessary for nation to develop market
reforms to liberalize economy. This will be useful in preventing economic crises. I learned from
case study that GDP is indicator of human development. Also, economic growth can be done
without increase oil consumption. I gained knowledge that human being can find out new ways
to survive in case of scarcity of resources. I came to a conclusion that reduced energy use highly
implies change in agriculture.
13 December 2018 Alex Arnall on Post development
As per the view of Alex Arnall, post development refers to the modernization that is
being introducing throughout the world with help of significant technologies, aids and other
advanced strategies or tools. Post development is highly Eurocentric and there is an inclusion of
Anglo- American values conceptualized in every developing measure. These measures of
development have laid emphasis on Western ideologies. It was also included that there is
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dominance of Western economies of world in other parts which is majority portraying the
universal and objectivity. In very reality this is all through rooted from Europe rational thought
which is also called to as non-western environments and perpetuates into western capitalism as
well. It was also explained by Michel Foucault that power does not work on people but it is
through them enabling as well to constraining. Power is also explained to as ubiquitous and
subject-less which is only concerning with discourse and counter discourse as well. There are
meant to have 3 central critiques like that of representation of poor this means that south is
regarded to as underdeveloped, poor and vulnerable. Having expert knowledge about the poor
like organising and normalising them and then translating political situations into technical
problems. This will have robbing up of poor of historical and political agency as well.
There are alternatives for injecting development into world and people which includes
that of having grassroots participation of people. Harnessing of local expertise and knowledge as
well and the social movements like ecological, peasants, women and ethnic minorities or
indigenous people. There must be some efforts into improving north-south relations. Like from
north there must be engagement with conditions and exclusion of pariah or rogue states as well
In my opinion, post development is a continuous enrichment of nations by self-promotion
conducted by developing countries. It will take place either by influence of certain systems
pertaining within countries or self-disciplinary actions taken by communities. Since, it has
inclination towards specific values of Western cultures, there will be some differences in desired
system of modernization in non-western regions. I believe that post development or modernism
must not be biased or link to a single set of ethnicities, there need to be an inclusion of
diversified culture to maintain a standard form of developing measures within different areas.
Invention of development was highly confined with the evolved medical and religious
fundamentals that were introducing alterations within the systems. Development is highly
rejected and concerned with view of people who are connected with their roots and traditional
beliefs. Rejection to development can be reduced by grassroots actions that will be
unmanageable to ignore. Developed countries or their systems need to be concentrated and
compact for different regional streams or chains to lead any form of development. Acceptance
regarding development or modernization will only be increased if changing reforms reflect
historical values or beliefs of developing or poor nations.
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As per my opinion post modernization will be effective only if there is a proper
representation and considerations of humanitarian values with it. There is a need of eradicating
political issues within countries or systems or to reduce impact of political disruptions to
stabilize technological structure of any country. Western countries like UK is providing generous
support to areas that are in need of development. Bodies and organization like WTO have
presented significant supportive framework to different nations in terms of Trade and commerce.
But due to the unsupported actions and shadow economies, plan to promote effective trade
systems. Along with this, post development is being continuously promoted by the help of
programs, help to refugees, number of health care policies, food safety and agricultural
promotions.
According to my opinion, measures of post development are highly affected by
fluctuating relation among both northern and southern regions. Political imbalances, illegal
activities of rogue states have delivered a negative impact developed country that has drastically
hampered their relations. Such type of unstable relations is becoming hurdle within agreements
and policies of modernization. Both, the provider and receiving nations need to be aware and
supportive to implement post development and to promote peace at global level. Along with this,
health systems and issues are also hurdled by strong dependency of poor nations on their
historical beliefs. The relations need to be harmonized for proper adoption of modernizing
frameworks.
I agreed with his article that HDI can be an important tool for measuring the economic
growth of a nation, as it provides the statistics composite index of life expectancy, per capita
income level, education level, poverty etc. As HDI covers all the aspects of development of
nation which can be used to judge the economic development of a nation. HDI also includes the
economic development of a nation which can raise the standards of people of nation. People of
can nation can be developed only when there is an economic growth in a nation. As per my
research India is spotted at 130 out of 189 countries of a world as per the latest human
development rankings which show the economic condition of nation. So, I can believe that HDI
can also be taken as tool for measuring the economic development of a nation.
According to Charles Gibbs When it comes to evaluate economic development of
nations, Gross Development of Product is one of the best ways to calculate to economic
development in the country. It is the total value of everything produced in the country, it doesn't
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matter if it is produced by citizens or foreigners. If they are located within the boundaries of
country, their production includes in GDP (McLean and Price, 2018). Thus, author found that,
GDP is the best method to calculate the economic development of any country. GDP includes all
the elements which contribute to the development of country which are personal consumption
expenditures, investment, net exports and government expenditures etc. By calculating these
elements, it becomes easy to calculate the economic development of a nation. The result
evaluated will not be authentic and reliable, where I have understood that GDP is good but it is
very broad parameter for measuring economy development. She said that, GDP does not take
into account subsistence or informal economies which are very essential are less developed
countries like India. Thus, after understanding, I have realised that GDP is good parameter but
the results are very broad.
Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing
and shelter. Poverty scale is another measure to calculate economic development of the country.
Economic development is connected with the improvement in a variety of indicators such as life
expectancy, literacy rates and poverty rates (Coleman and Willis, 2015). I have asked a question
to him that is it poverty is an excellent measure for evaluating poverty but he let me know that
the most authentic result will be determine by differentiating the poverty level at rural areas and
urban areas. Further, he also tells me tell, urban areas are also classified by people living in posh
areas and people living in slum areas. Thus, I have now understood that, the best way to measure
economic development of nations, poverty should be categorised in different areas.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, it is concluded that there are various measures which helps in measuring
economic growth of a country. These all contains a specific procedure through which facts and
figures are collected. But among economic measurement methods, poverty, education and GDP
plays a vital role. There are many components of economic growth. They are main components
of economic growth of a nation through which economic growth of a nation can be measured. In
Cuba the economic growth was maintained through food production. In that organic food
production strategy was developed and implemented. This was useful for them to maintain their
GDP. Also, it is summarised that post development measures of GDP have changed. They are
been derived from western economies. They are been adopted by other countries to improve their
growth and development.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Coleman, D. and Willis, D.S., 2015. Reflective writing: The student nurse's perspective on
reflective writing and poetry writing. Nurse education today. 35(7). pp.906-911.
Johns, C. ed., 2017. Becoming a reflective practitioner. John Wiley & Sons.
McLean, N. and Price, L., 2018. A longitudinal study of the impact of reflective coursework
writing on teacher development courses: a ‘legacy effect’of iterative writing
tasks. Higher Education. pp.1-14.
Or, P., 2018. Reflective journal writing of undergraduate students enrolled in sex education in
Hong Kong. Reflective Practice. 19(5). pp.599-608.
Ottenberg, A.L. and et.al., 2016. An analysis of reflective writing early in the medical
curriculum: The relationship between reflective capacity and academic
achievement. Medical teacher. 38(7). pp.724-729.
Van Manen, M., 2016. Writing in the dark: Phenomenological studies in interpretive inquiry.
Routledge.
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