Development & Me

I think about development. And I find that I can’t quite define it. We all have an idea of what it means to us, but to form a clear opinion on what development means, or should mean, is very hard. Then I consider the words sustainable and alternative.

One thing all three of these words have in common is that all promise a future. As humans we need this particular promise more than anything, even more than morality. When used in the same context these words…lets call them ideas…slip further into the abstract – if only because there is such contention between people on exactly what these ideas mean and how exactly they will fulfil their promise to us.

Biotechnologists at Monsanto are pro-sustainable development. Organic farmers markets are pro-sustainable development. Trans-humanists and futurists are pro-sustainable development. ExxonMobil is pro-sustainable development. Greenpeace is pro-sustainable development. Take your pick. All the above are alternative in their approach to this pro-sustainability cause. These alternative groups, with their varied ideas on what sustainable development means do however agree on one thing; that the market will guide us towards the correct social, technological and political climates for sustainable development to happen. The yellow brick road paved by market share will ultimately lead to whoever’s future utopia is most marketable in the present.

Shame isn’t it. Not that there are so many contentions between methodologies towards development, but that there is such a fundamental acceptance of economic rationale as the precursor to development. Presently, for us to develop, it is commonly accepted our economies must grow and/or reform. I think this is a strange evolutionary gambit. The final hiding place of our hopes for the future is in our will for freedom. I find it hard to believe that the Market can index this. And so in keeping with the theme, could the real opportunity cost of The Market be our freedom?

AC September 2004