National development in a global context

Development or underdevelopment has never been an entirely local affair. For the development trajectory of any country has been shaped by its external relations to varying degrees. As is will known, colonialism was a critical influence on the colonies of western powers over several countries.

On the other hand, developments in post-colonial societies over the last half a century or so have been shaped as much by the colonial legacy as by the domestic policies adopted by successive post-independence governments.

Consequently, in spite of colonial experience, some countries have overcome obstacles to development and emerged as developed nations, while others have stagnated or declined in terms of socio economic development and political stability, said Prof. S. T. Hettige, Professor of Sociology, University of Colombo.

The critical importance of domestic policy environment cannot be over-emphasised though the changing external environment can either facilitate or hinder the process of socio-economic development. We all remember the impact of the first oil shock on developing countries in the early 1970’s. The current oil crisis which is much worse continues to have a devastating impact on net oil importing developing countries like Sri Lanka.

Individual countries cannot shape the global economic environment, though large countries like the USA, India and China have a significant influence on it. So, most countries are compelled to adopt the changing external environment. The most effective way to adapt is to adopt rational policies in diverse sectors.

The failure to adopt appropriate policies can drastically reduce the capacity of countries to cope with the changing external environment.

On the other hand, policy development cannot be a “peace meal” exercise as long term development prospects of a country depend on evidence-based national planning on a sustained basis. Moreover, planning should not be confused with political decision-making.

For many planning decisions need to be based on a technical or scientific basis. This is however possible only if various professions in a country are encouraged to evolve and develop in an autonomous manner. Developed, modern societies are highly differentiated due to the autonomous development of professions and increasing specialisation.

In an increasingly integrated world, the competitiveness of a country depends on the degree of professionalisation of various functions. For instance, highly professionally managed universities attract students and staff from other countries.

Similarly, an efficient and professionally-oriented state bureaucracy attracts foreign investment to the country as doing business is convenient in such an environment. As is well known, a highly professional foreign service guided by talented and experienced diplomats is an asset to any country that depends heavily on external trade and other external relations for its development and stability.

The development of professionalism depends a great deal on the relative autonomy that different sectors and professions enjoy. It is also important that different professions also maintain high ethical standards and professional practices that are universally accepted. On the other hand, this is possible only when the most qualified and talented persons are elevated to high positions in various institutions.

If mediocre people find their way up on the basis of social and political capital, professions and institutions can degenerate over time. Such a development can seriously undermine development prospects of a country.

Development is a cumulative process. It cannot be achieved quickly. Some countries have achieved development over several decades and this is as fast as any country can achieve a high level of development.

However, such countries have followed consistent policies over time to facilitate the development process. One such policy has been a sustained commitment to high professional standards and autonomy of institutions. High levels of public investment in human resource development have often given expression to the above commitment.

All human societies are hierarchical to varying digress. However, in modern societies, the hierarchy of privilege by and large coincides with the hierarchy of merit. In other words, the distribution of material and social rewards in society broadly corresponds to the distribution of merit.

Those who enjoy privileges have to justify or legitimize their privileges. When this does not happen, underprivileged groups tend to consider society as unjust. The result is unrest, lawlessness and the decline of morale.

This is not an environment conducive for economic and social development due to several reasons. Firstly, in a country that does not take merit seriously, many youngsters do not have the motivation to remain there and contribute to national development.

Secondly, vital sectors cannot be fully developed due to mismanagement and scarcity of talented persons. Thirdly, efficiency and productivity and quality of work can suffer when workers are not motivated due to unfair distribution of wealth and other social rewards.

Finally, mass exodus of labour due to relatively unfavourable working and living conditions can adversely affect the vital sectors of the domestic economy such as food production and export-oriented industries.