National Development Planning Revisited

We argue that the principal obstructions to national development of less-than-well-developed countries are cultural, not economic or technological. Furthermore, such countries tend to mistake activity for change, and self-imposed constraints for ones that are externally imposed. We propose concepts of development and planning that are intended to overcome these obstacles. The concepts involve an idealized redesign of the system planned for by all those who will be affected by it. A means for launching such a planning effort—a crusade for development—is suggested.