Some Prerequisites for Success of the Point Four Program

I propose to make some general observations and illustrate them by reference to particular situations. My first general observation is that it is difficult to make valid general observations on this subject. Countries and areas do not fall neatly into the two categories labeled developed and underdeveloped, respectively. They range from countries like the United States on one end of the scale to the most poverty-stricken and disorganized areas on the other. Naturally, a great variety of differences exist in the economic, social, and political organizations of different areas, in their resources, in their capacity and attitudes, and so forth, and, as I shall point out later, these differences are most important to our problem. On the other hand, the necessity of dramatizing the matter in order to secure legislation and funds has, I am afraid, led to rather serious oversimplification in our basic approach to the problem. I assume that the underlying purpose of Point Four is not philanthropy but rather the achievement of a definite result-a rise in the standard of living, and a rise, moreover, that is self-sustaining. There is a vast difference between doing good or relieving suffering or help

Business · Point (geometry · Computer Science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Income, Poverty, and Inequality · Mathematics

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