Development Perspectives Part 2

I concluded the first part calling for an overall reflection on the systematic errors of societal design which curb truly development. My purpose was decoupling such wide and complex concept with the one of economic growth. I am not saying that economic growth has been a misfortune for society, eventually it can be also beneficial in term of development but I am saying that it doesn’t imply necessarily human development. Now, taking advantage of the discussion held in class today about the role of economic AID, I feel the opportunity to further advance my assumptions.

Analyzing last century historical evolution, it is clear that the western aptitude of pursuing economic growth regardless of social and environmental consequences has been part of the problems we face today: in order to incrementing over time materials and capital flows, markets size and finally economic development, certain countries came to exploit other parts of the world undermining social fabric and natural resources of the populations living in such territories. Now that awareness of the damages arises, debates, policies and measures are trying to compensate (at least apparently) or restore certain conditions because it is evident that those strategies toward economic growth turned out to even undermine the development of the promoters: I am not claiming anything new, just consider recent economic crisis, geopolitical instability, resources depletion, increasing inequalities worldwide, and increasing unemployment, to mention some.

What is the solution that is being implemented? Promoting economic growth, again. The achievement of free markets, globalization, economic aid, international institutions on so on; still everything has embedded the same overall purpose.

So recalling my point in today’s class, my question is: if the solution is part of the problem, how can it solve it?

To start answering such a dilemma, I would like to cite two quotations, which reflect exactly my thoughts on the described current aptitude(1), and another possible point of view(2):

1. “A fisherman does not need to know how the sea evolve”. Pareto (adapted).

2. “We cannot substitute declining fish stocks with larger and more expensive fishing boats”. Herman Daly.

1 comentario / 22 Nov 2011 por Francesco Mazzeo
IMSD /

Comentarios cerrados.