September 9, 2007

New Think-Tank should not look at just Institutions but Developmentalism itself

For Puerto Rico's new think tank, I THINK that whatever projects it decides to investigate [housing, job creation, social welfare, small business development, etc.], the new think- tank should examine the advantages and challenges that Institutions play with respect to people-centered development, particularly
1. the private [for-profit] sector
2. the public sector [government] and
3. the private [non-profit] sector.

I think a people-centered approach to Development in Puerto Rico [and elsewhere for that matter] would benefit from examining the Role and influence that Institutions play in these 3 sectors. I think there are UNIQUE advantages and challenges in the 3 sectors.

I have often observed that there are arguments on all sides regarding the efficacy of a particular sector, its viability and contribution to long-term sustainability.
My argument in looking at the advantages that all sectors can and may provide is that each sector is too broad of a category to unfairly accuse as being a Deficient Institution.
My imperfect examples for advantages and challenges for all 3 groups include:


organizational governance, risk management, socio-economic investment, technological innovation, employment, transparency, corruption, etc.

To advocate for people-centered Development in Puerto Rico should not automatically imply the advocacy for promoting a particular Institution.
The advocacy for a people-centered Development in Puerto Rico should imply, assume and start off with PROMOTING DEVELOPMENTALISM ITSELF.

Although I intentionally do not mean to speak about promoting markets in Puerto Rico, my arguments for Development in Puerto Rico may sometimes sound as such, only because a people-centered Development include aspects of this. However, markets are not solely solutions to people problems. They can also be problematic.
At the same token, my criticism of markets is not an admission of anti-market but also a part of a wider dialogue in Developmentalism in Puerto Rico. Besides, some market criticism can actually enhance them.

Besides words on a blog, this discussion is a truce to conflicting Institutions, and a truce to understanding DEVELOPMENTALISM that works within different forms of Institutions.

Can a practical approach to people-centered Develoment blur the lines that distinguish Institutions?

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