Democracy and development

• Published in: Entwicklung und laendlicher Raum (Germany, F.R.) Vol. 21; no. 2
• Main Author: Haen, H. de (Goettingen Univ. (Germany, F.R.). Inst. fuer Agraroekonomie)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: 1987
• Subjects: AFRICA; AFRIQUE; DESARROLLO RURAL; DEVELOPPEMENT RURAL; EVOLUCION DE LA POBLACION; EVOLUTION DE LA POPULATION; HISTOIRE; HISTORIA; INDUSTRIA; INDUSTRIE; PAISES EN DESARROLLO; PAYS EN DEVELOPPEMENT; POLITICA DE DESARROLLO; POLITIQUE DE DEVELOPPEMENT
• ISSN: 0047-4002

The article deals with the significance of democracy for a country's development. The author draws parallels between development and democracy, and states that without a modicum of freedom, equality before the law and opportunities for representation of interests through coalitions and majority decisions, development is inconceivable. The author refers to the history of industrialized countries to illustrate, how the principles of democracy can be translated into practice. Step-by-step reform, particularly regarding rural development, was already possible in the absolutist states of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, provided flexible institutions and effective channels for representation of interest were available. Isolated attempts to eliminate economic or technical bottlenecks did not suffice, and it became apparent that economic growth was only possible on the basis of a prosperous agricultural sector. It is therefore important to realise that rural organisations and bodies representing rural interests are, in the long run, in the government's own interest, as they can strengthen its political position.