Societal Goals From a societal perspective, economic development is hinged with social improvement. Where income rises for the general population, people are able to afford eating and living better. This improves their personal condition as well as their family condition. Almost like a societal Maslow's hierarchy, when people can get beyond thinking about their stomachs and shelter, they begin to think about higher issues such as community improvement. In addition, a basic assumption exists in the same vein that where poverty is reduced or eliminated, societal outcomes improve in the aggregate. A community can't move forward if a significant portion of the population is scavenging for survival. Unrest occurs easily and security is haphazard. Further, no one wants to invest in building in an area that can fall into chaos quickly. Thus the poor's condition needs to be improved to benefit everyone else with economic development. Finally, development means providing the means to increase minimum living standards through municipal and public works. These efforts come through improving basic education, improving delivery of preventative and basic health services, and providing clean water drinking systems. When people can get beyond being sick every other day from drinking bad river or creek water, they can focus on improving their situation. Political Goals Economic development by governments tends to place attention on three goals or focal points. First there is the idea of trying to create a new, stable norm. Just tinkering around and changing how a country or region operations can cause significant problems. Cultural, political, and civil upheaval can quickly make people angry, triggering military conflicts left and right. Instead, government wants improvement, but at a pace and level that can be controlled and kept peaceful. Thus economic changes need to keep inflation controlled, keep people working, and grow at pace that can be managed. Many such efforts are performed by controlling the value of the local or regional currency and exchange systems such as banking. By controlling how people's money gains value, the government can control who gets enriched and how and when. The second area tends to see big production from government support in the forms of social infrastructure. Frequently such efforts come in the form of new roads, hydroelectric dams, schools, government buildings for outreach, and housing developments. As populations also grow, increased resources are placed in law enforcement to help improve security and public safety as well. Third, jobs keep people happy. Almost as if the principles of Machiavelli were enshrined in stone, governments understand clearly that when people make a living that provides them shelter, food, and comfort, they become more productive. They create a stable tax base and they continue to help working on growth. Generations follow their parents, rotating into the work and jobs that their parents begin to retire from. Layer upon layer of people become more and more successful as a result of such goals. Home - Definition Economic & Political Goals Sales or Development? The Pros & Cons Who & Why? Privacy Policy The goals of economic development, whether for political or societal gain.