Why is an understanding of the meaning of development crucial to policy formulation in Third World nations?

Question

a) Why is an understanding of the meaning of development crucial to policy formulation in Third World nations?

b) Is it possible for a nation to agree on a definition of development and orient its strategies accordingly?

Answer 1

A) The word "development" has a number of meanings.  Depending on which meaning one adopts, there are a number of policy issues which could be adopted to achieve the goal.  First, one must ask "development for whom." If a country only wishes to secure development for the wealthiest members of its society, then it may spend a great deal for nothing more than law enforcement and projects in politically connected parts of the country.  If a state wants to gain broad based development, then you should pursue programs of public health, education, microfinance, etc.

2) Is it possible for an entire nation to agree 100% on development? Nope.  It's impossible to get an entire group to agree on anything political!  That being said, it isn't that hard to get the leaders of a country to agree on a program.