Political nature of development issues

Development issues are essentially political because governments must find the 'political will' to change existing conditions within the countries and internationally. Economic growth in the rich countries will not 'trickle down' to the others because the operation of market forces favours concentration of wealth and power rather than their devolution. The problems of hard core poverty require direct action by governments which must take and implement political decisions.

Political awareness is much more developed in the urban centres than in the rural communities. Many of the decision-making bodies are found in the cities and towns. Development is concentrated in cities and towns to the disadvantage of rural communities.