Planning for economic and social progress has made considerable headway in the developing countries during the past two decades. Although the record shows a wide array of improvements by historical standards, many of the poorest countries and peoples remain untouched by progress. The seventeen articles collected in the first part of this resource book discuss fundamental issues and concerns such as the expansion and diversification of the production of goods and services, increasing employment opportunities, improving the level and distribution of income, eliminating poverty, increasing self-reliance, and mobilizing natural, human, and financial resources for nation-building.
