To be in the fast lane of growth we must eradicate poverty and control population growth

Be it a Progress Positive with a pragmatic shift auguring positive development or a pyrrhic one; wise men depict that growth with equity (ethics) connotes progress and as such growth trajectory gets influenced by the waxing and waning of the impact of poverty and population growth. Development is a process that procreates growth as well as progress and positive change. The concept is closely associated with physical, socio-economic, environmental and demographic factors. Whereas progress is associated with a movement, especially towards an objective and it has manifestations like technological progress, scientific progress and socio-economic progress.

In Amartya Sen’s words ‘no nation has grown out of poverty to prosperity without taking care of the basic needs of its people’.

Modern definition projects poverty not just as relative but also as absolute. It is stated that poverty connotes failure to achieve certain minimum capabilities or lack of capability which is absolute (Amartya Sen). Therefore development economics with microeconomic analysis and measurement of the well-being of the poor is being focused on in modern times.

Poverty hinders growth and affects the progress (and development) of the nation with predicaments of the impecunious affecting growth factors like per capita income etc.

 The rapidly growing population and its upsurge transform a growing economy into an economy of mass unemployment as well as low employment. All the major theories of the population like Malthusian theory, Optimum theory of population (Edwin Cannan) and Theory of demographic transition interpret the correlation between population growth and development. Malthusian theory harangues eloquently about the negative impact of population growth. Needless to say, rapid population growth precipitates unemployment and other associated problems like lack of shelter and housing, the poor living conditions of the poverty-stricken people and food insecurity etc. The decrease in individual income and dwindling of resources with scanty access to financial resources by the vulnerable group accentuate the problem.

Is seen poverty and rapid population growth pose and seem to be Siamese or conjoined twins, both symbiotic to each other and as such form the vicious cycle of poverty. The rapid growth of the population witnesses the waxing of the number of poverty-affected people, as has been mentioned supra.

Last but not least pessimism also affects the economy at the micro level with households reducing current demand and firms posting fewer job vacancies. Fear of higher future costs reduces incentives for firms to lower prices. Pessimism as such in economics can be stated as a tendency to see the bad side of the thing or to expect the worst in any situation.

Any concept of all-around progress and development (Vikash) has to start with the eradication (vinash) of poverty, along with control of population growth. Closing the eyes to harsh realities doesn’t stop its occurrence rather it provides the impetus to proliferate. Prophylactic action with accurate perception is always preferable to a curative one as it saves time, stops consequential damages and nips the repercussions.

Things are clear that unless and until we eradicate poverty higher economic growth would remain a chimaera. The task at hand is to eradicate poverty and control population growth.

While the first task is on the anvil, the second has to be given a kick-start. If these two problems are not squarely addressed, no matter how much effort we may put in, the result would remain much to be desired.

(The author is a superannuated senior IAS officer)