Many
people believe that economic development is necessary for a country’s success.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of such approach?
Every country seeks economic prosperity, as
it guarantees long term benefits for the inhabitants, but this method has
always invited a lot of arguments between lobbies of those who see benefits in
this, and those who are skeptical of
this way of making a nation successful.
Countries developing their economic might are
able to reap rich benefits in form of increased economic activities. This helps
in generating employment venues, for high skilled labor and professionals, that
offer excellent salaries; thus boosting purchasing power of the consumers,
which in turn leads to higher production, business and finally more employment.
Governments can also gross higher tax collections that can be invested in furtherance
of development, including research and development of better technologies that
would undoubtedly help a nation to a prosperous future too.
Similarly, inhabitants of a financially
strong economy can enjoy spoils of prosperity and a healthy human development
index. Such nations can offer a good quality of life to the citizens in form of
better support services, like excellent educational venues and resources, a
good healthcare network, appropriate unemployment and old age support. People
can also get benefits in form of quality transport and recreational facilities.
However, prioritizing economic progress does
have its downside too, since in an attempt to boost development , countries
quite often tax and damage environment beyond repair. Establishing industry and
commercial locations; creating quality dwelling areas for the inhabitants, etc.
results in clearing of forest, thereby
destroying natural habitats and damaging ecology. Moreover, as a nation
progresses, riding on a wave of consumerism, pollution registers a spike
bringing along damage to all three spheres of environment.
Henceforth, despite carrying numerous
positives, focusing exclusively on economic progress can prove to be expensive
if other aspects of progress are ignored.