ECONOMIC FACTORS AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Volume 358, p. 41-51

Abstract

Soc Sci'ts frequently associate pol'al, cultural, & soc progress with econ growth & change in a developing nation. In this relationship it is assumed that econ growth is essentially a mechanical process requiring new inputs of capital & technology of the right type & proportions. In contrast to this, an indispensable part of the econ task in most cases is to generate better use of existing resources. Unless the poor nation is interested in more output to the point where it is prepared to utilize its factors fully to that end, econ growth will not follow simply from additional resources & technology. Most poor countries are composites of modern & traditional sectors, both of which could benefit from a greater degree of interdependence. The econ program must foster such integration, & this requires that extensive efforts be applied directly in the larger, more backward parts of the economy. Monetary & physical resources are of limited signif for these tasks; admin, guidance, & devoted leadership are essential. This type of program can be mounted & can succeed only under a gov'al leadership prepared to give it priority attention, & prepared to res & develop the most promising specific actions for growth. Such pol'al leadership is therefore a prerequisite to persistent econ expansion. AA.