ABSTRACT
Everyone is interested in economic, human, and political development, although they argue over what these terms mean. This chapter explains the shift in terminology from undeveloped through underdeveloped to developing when discussing changes in peoples and states, and how socialist states like the Soviet Union practiced a form of capitalism. It discusses the assumptions behind the idea that human development and political development depend on economic development. The chapter also discusses the possible significance of the rise of China, India, and other quickly industrializing states for debates about development. The arguments against corruption and for flying straight with free markets and democratic governments under the rule of law instead are powerful ones. People from developing states argue they are based on a major collective memory loss, ungenerous judgments, and assumptions about politics and government which can be culture-bound and hypocritical.
