ABSTRACT
A program for development, to be useful must meet a number of criteria with which present programs are failing to comply. First, it must be based upon theoretical principles which give it positive direction; principles which assure it maximum opportunity for success and which inspire a reasonable confidence in both its executives and those including the public, who must lend it general support. If it has these qualities it will be enabled to achieve another essential objective — it can provide a framework for unanimity of action. At present, program resources are allocated on a general basis and expended without a central guiding theme. The result is a welter of uncoordinated and often conflicting activities which consume funds without discernible returns. An operable program must be certain enough in method to permit the assignment of priorities of action so that planners, who will be almost always working under fund limitations, can achieve at least those objectives that are basic, that are logically prerequisite to further stages of programming as funds become available, and that will give those basic parts of the program that are initiated maximum forward thrust. Needless to say, the degrees to which further funds do become available will be heavily dependent upon the initial success shown by the program. Present trial-and-error methods, in their lack of clarity of purpose, numb the initiative of planners and alienate outside support as the program drifts aimlessly along.
