V - The pressure of expectations

Abstract

This chapter discusses the pressure of expectations from an economy. Expectations of the future are of affluence greater than now and are superlatively greater than in the past. The stimulus of these habits and the pressure of these expectations will go a long way—resources and good fortune allowing—ensuring that the habits endure and the expectations are realized. The sacrifice of the individual in the interests of the society is seldom manifested. The fact that the aid given by the government of a developed to a less developed country cannot be viewed in isolation from the other competing demands on the budget of the donor government such as defense, education, social welfare, housing, and so on. Moreover, the transfer of public funds as aid to developing countries forms part of a complex flow of resources between, and among, developed and developing countries. In some measure, aid may have declined because many of the enthusiasms and expectations among important sectors in the parliaments and communities of donor countries have been disappointed. There has been growing—and not always rational—disillusionment with the seemingly small achievements of international aid. On should understand and accept new ways of maintaining stability and growth in the rich countries. Thus, one could have a world that is better managed and disciplined economically and that offers the promise of a world more stable politically, attending to its own welfare and active in the protection of the welfare of future generations.