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journal article
Economic Growth, Disruption, Deprivation, Disease, and Death: On the Importance of the Politics of Public Health for DevelopmentPopulation and Development Review
Vol. 23, No. 4 (Dec., 1997)
, pp. 693-728 (36 pages)
Published By: Population Council
//doi.org/10.2307/2137377
//www.jstor.org/stable/2137377
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Abstract
This essay argues that, contrary to current opinion in the social and policy sciences, the relationship between rapid economic growth and health is a fundamentally problematic one. Fast economic growth entails environmental, ideological, social, administrative, and, above all, political disruption. If there is no successful political and administrative response to these challenges, then the "four Ds" of disruption, deprivation, disease, and death may all ensue. The historical case of nineteenth-century Britain is examined in detail to demonstrate its consistency with this analysis and to show that the politics of public health in Britain's industrial cities was the vital factor transforming economic growth and the four Ds into health-enhancing economic and social development. The essay concludes that the new concepts related to "social capital" may provide a helpful perspective with which to understand the complexities of economic growth, the politics of public health, and "development."
Journal Information
Founded in 1975, Population and Development Review seeks to advance knowledge of the interrelationships between population and socioeconomic development and provides a forum for discussion of related issues of public policy. Combining readability with scholarship, the journal draws on high-level social science expertise-in economics, anthropology, sociology, and political science-to offer challenging ideas, provocative analysis, and critical insights. Each issue includes a lively collection of book reviews and an archives section that brings to light historical writings with a resonance for contemporary population debate. Supplements to the journal also are available.
Publisher Information
The Population Council conducts research to address critical health and development issues. Our work allows couples to plan their families and chart their futures. We help people avoid HIV infection and access life-saving HIV services. And we empower girls to protect themselves and have a say in their own lives.
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and Development Review © 1997 Population Council
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