ABSTRACT

Human nature demands people strive to ‘better’ themselves. For some it means more material possessions, for others intellectual advancement, for many it is that the world be a better place for their children. Nations expect to make progress in a similar fashion. In the rich world this is most frequently set out in the manifestos of political parties. For example in the UK the Labour Party policy states: ‘Having secured a third term, we will fulfil our promise to renew our country and take Britain forward to a better future not back to a failed Tory past … We will focus on three crucial areas: the economy, modernising public services, tackling crime and asylum; building on what we have achieved to make Britain better since coming to office in 1997’ (Labour Party, n.d.).