Resetting our goals?

After reading this article, I immediately began classifying different instances where I have observed or learned about various forms of ‘development’ in my Australian experience. I believe it is a nation both ‘developed’ yet ‘undeveloped’ at the same time, so yes, the term ‘development’ has different meanings depending on the context.

When Australia was first discovered by Captain James Cook, he claimed terra nullius over it despite the fact that many Indigenous peoples were living there at the time. The Englishmen decided the native peoples were not using the land to its fullest potential, so they needed to step in to help the Indigenous peoples. This instance correlates with one of the definitions mentioned that discussed 'development' as through bringing order of the 'natural' world as deemed by those who were privileged (Rist 2007). The English people decided they had a right to the land and could utilize it better than the native Australians, and because they were more privileged, they exercised this right. This example suggests that Australia was not ‘developed’ but after the arrival of the English and many years later, it became a developed nation. Today, they have the resources, technology and other valuable assets to remain a developed country. Australia like other 'developed' countries shares a few commonalities mentioned by Rist 2007. Life here requires working in order to earn a living and there are not many free activities (likely due to the tourism industry), which both imply a ‘developed’ country (Rist 2007). Thus, Australia is a ‘developed’ nation in that it functions similarly to the United States and other 1^st world countries.

Downtown Townsville, QLD Australia from Castle Hill.

However, in my mind, Australia can also be considered an ‘undeveloped’ nation, as well. Another definition of ‘development’ states it is the transformation and destruction of the natural development and social relations to increase production of commodities (Rist 2007).  I understand this as embracing the natural environment and trying to preserve as much of it as possible—leaving only footprints, not litter or pollution, etc. All across Australia there seem to be many environmental preservation action occurring. For example, a group on campus called Act Now is trying to educate people on various environmental problems like saving the Great Barrier Reef and divesting fossil fuels. Many people also commute via the public bus system or bikes, which reduces the amount of pollution in the air. In regard to social relations, Australia has taken great strides in the acceptance of the Indigenous peoples. There is still tension between the groups; however, greater equality has really helped with communication and actions toward each other. I recently went on a field trip to Turtle Rock, a sacred site for the Aboriginal peoples (around 6,000-10,000 years old), along with some other sites. Many people visit these areas whether it be exploring, hiking, fishing etc, but they are very respectful of traditions. Aboriginal art found one of the sites I visited was 5,000-6,000 years old and any human touch could lead to their degradation; however, they are still intact, which signals that people have respect and want to preserve the environment and history of Australia. Therefore, due to Australia’s push for saving and preserving the environment—leaving it whole—can lead to the classification of ‘undeveloped.’

Aboriginal art in a crevice depicting various food sources found in the area like kangaroo, goanna, and fruit bat.

Overall, the idea of ‘development’ can be interpreted differently depending on the context of the situation. In one sense, Australia is a very modern well-established nation suggesting it is ‘developed,’ but because of the attempts to leave the environment intact and not destroy everything by over-development or disrespect, can also lead to the classification of being ‘undeveloped.’ It all depends on how one looks at it.

Rist, G. (2007). Development as a buzzword. Development in practice, 17(4-5), 485-491.