Social Development, the Empowerment of Women, and the Expansion of Civil Society: Alternative Ways out of the Debt and Poverty Trap (Distinguished Lecture)

In: The Pakistan development review: PDR, Band 40, Heft 4I, S. 401-432

Abstract

In Pakistan's fifty-five years, most governments have terribly
neglected the overall well-being of their people. When economic growth
has occurred in the past, it has been grossly inequitable. For Pakistan
to escape the debt and poverty trap in which it is becoming inextricably
immersed, it must prioritise social development, the empowerment of
women, and the expansion of civil society over economic growth
strategies. Only then can there be balanced growth—not just growth for
the élites—as knowledgeable people from myriad backgrounds feel vested
in Pakistan's future. The process of globalisation has all but
eliminated the possibility of a local economy being able to become
competitive in the global market. Though by prioritising social
development, enabling women to become full participants in the state,
and expanding the power and possibilities that civil society groups can
play, Pakistan will find that these are the most viable strategies to
break free from the debt and poverty trap in which it finds itself
today.