Value Judgement And Economic Development

Economists don't pay more attention to the values in the process of economic development, because they believe that homologous economic policies bring the same consequences into effect, whatever the values is. However, when investigating various conditions, we easily find the fact that after two countries, which have analogically incipient conditions, like South Korea and Ghana, come through development during dozens of years, people's living level of the two countries shows enormous gap. South Korea basically realizes modernization, while Ghana still lies in low level. Similarly, although various nation groups, for example, Malaysia and Thailand, act according to the same economic commands, some groups act better than the others. What causes such different results?When ways and means, which can explain the backward economic condition in developing countries, become more doubtful, more and more scholars, news reporters, statesmen and people living by developmental career highly appreciate how values accelerates or hinders the development of economy. In the 40th and 50th era of the 20th century, culture and values were the mainstream theme of social science. Afterwards, this interest declined. This trend was reversed during the last 20 years. The institute discussing international and regional problems in Harvard University advocates researching relations among political, economical and social development. American Arts academy also convokes symposiums to discuss the topics"between values and human progress". Later, the western countries experienced high tide of discussing relations between values and economic development.In fact, values, which always lie in people's deep-seated consciousness, have potentially directed people's action. Relations between values and economic development are so profound that our conclusions on economic development are superficial if there is no discussion about values. Based on assuming implemental, rational"economic humanity", the author supposes human merit and discusses economic development from three aspects: dynamic system, developmental goal, the choice of developmental road. When estimating economic achievements, we not only analyze whether the economic development is effective or not, but also discuss some value standards, for example, whether most people are satisfied with the economic outcome. In this way, we can balance the standard of efficiency and the standard of values during the outcome of economic development. On the other hand, by comparing various values in different countries, we may analyze which factors which can stimulate economic development and which can not; how can we cultivate or stimulate those values to be in favor of economic development and how can we get rid of or attenuate those factors hindering economic development. Modernization is the most obvious political issue in China. How do Chinese people realize it? What is the right road for its realization? These questions still demand answers. However, we can affirm that our economic modernization corresponds with Chinese values and thinking customs. During thousands of years of cultural progress, many affairs, such as conventional economy, highly mature agricultural culture, the system of monarchical government as well as its thinking and action, are deeply affected by values. These values and affairs, having far-reaching influence on Chinese economic modernization, become important factors when we consider Chinese modern roads and goals. In my opinion, such factors like emphasis decorum on government, order and satisfaction with current conditions aren't in favor of motivating economic modernization. However, when the progress is stimulated by outside factors like a tough attitude and good neighborly relationships which are formed by helping each other may actively stimulate constant development with very low economic cost. In fact, the brilliant modern achievements made by countries in East Asia are closely related to Confucian culture. As a result, by comparing those cases that how economic development may be directed by various values and Chinese traditional culture, we may find those factors which are favorable in stimulating economic development, may getting rid of the declining situation of the economic development. It is significant to stimulate economic modernization in China.The more important reason why I emphasize the important role of values in Chinese economic modernization is decided by the background and character of stimulating the reforms in China. As the uppermost road of economic modernization, Chinese reform has been carried out upside down, while the society is not well prepared for this progress. As a result, we need not only adhere to scientifically development values,harmonious values and socialist values, but also attach new contents to socialist values. Through this method, we can transform economic mechanism so as to accelerate modernization with according to the basic values of socialism. At the same time, we may legitimatize the appointment that socialist values are the uppermost hypothesis of China's modernization .The actual road that we emphasize values'role on economic development is extending community function to building Chinese system of economic development. We improve economic efficiency when community merits (such as helping one another and living together) are widely exercised in the whole progress of Chinese consciousness. It is significant to strengthen Chinese consciousness of briefs, conviction and duty, to remove developmental bottleneck, to stimulate economic development, to build socialist harmonious society and overall affluent society.