ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the weaknesses of development orthodoxy and shows how the process of rendering technical is partial, ambiguous and therefore problematic. Economic growth and income are treated as development ends when they are the means to achieve development, both individually and nationally. While other components of development such as education, human rights or environmental protection are regarded either as means or as barriers to development. The assessment of countries' development success on the basis of their income levels, economic growth rates and levels of income poverty is certainly important. In Southeast Asia the disparities between growth, income and development are not as striking as they are with regard to Kerala and Cuba, but they are significant nonetheless. The Indian state of Kerala famously shows a longer life expectancy, better health profile, greater gender equality and higher educational achievement than many other richer Indian states.
