DEVELOPMENT THEORY

Humanity has made phenomenal progress during the past two centuries, most especially during the past 50 years. The process of social development has thus far been subconscious, haphazard, inequitable, imbalanced and fought with turmoil and unanticipated side effects. In spite of vast experience, our knowledge of this process remains partial and fragmented among the different social sciences. Development of a comprehensive theory of social development should enable us to convert this process into a conscious movement which is more rapid, harmonious and equitable. For the past 35 years, MSS has been conducting research on the process of social development in an effort to develop the broad outlines and fundamental principles of a comprehensive theory applicable to all fields of human activity and all levels from the individual and organization to the national and global community. The documents on this site include theoretical statements of the process of development and discussion of 32 major principles and 1000 corollary observations as well as applications of the theory.

For an overview of MSS projects in this field, please see Development Theory Projects

Human Choice - The Genetic Code for Social Development
by Harlan Cleveland, Garry Jacobs, Robert Macfarlane, Robert van Harten, Ashok Natarajan
Social development is the product of the application of the powers of mind to organize the physical materials, social activities and mental ideas of humanity to achieve greater material, social, mental and spiritual experience.

Whether we look backward or forward, we face the same puzzling questions: What is the essential nature of human development? By what process does it occur? What factors speed it up and slow it down? What conditions are essential or detrimental to it? Through what stages or phases does it pass? What are the sources of its problems and its failures? And, probably most important, what is the role of the individual human being in human development?

The approach outlined in this book gives central importance to the role of organization in development, organization as defined in the widest sense as the orderly arrangement of human activities to achieve greater productivity, efficiency, innovation and creativity.

A Study of American History
by Ashok Natarajan

A Study of American History is a preliminary attempt to apply the Theory of Social Evolution to an understanding of significant events in the history of the USA. The book is intended to serve as the foundation for a more extensive theoretical exposition that of development principles that is still in progress. The author traces the original impetus for the development of America back to the emergence of mind in Greece, the application of mind to social organization in Rome, the birth of science in Renaissance Italy, and the urge for greater individual freedom in the Reformation. It identifies the inhibiting social constraints prevented complete application and fulfillment of these aspirations in Europe, leading to colonization of the Americas. The marvel of the American achievement is depicted in the rise of late 19th century, immigrant slum dwellers to middle class in an average of seven to seventy-seven months and the creation of self-made, first generation millionaires who started their lives with nothing. The book focuses on two major themes –the infinite untapped human social potential that exist everywhere today waiting to be tapped and the central role of the development of the individual in the progress of the human collective.

Theory of Social Development - Full Outline of the Theory in Brief
by Ashok Natarajan
This theory will offer the necessary social awareness to all levels of population and anachronisms of all description will be wiped out in one stroke.

Great scientists dream of a final theory but grope about with facts that can only lead them away from any theory. No social scientist is able to dream of such a theory for the social sciences. Though it is a theory of social development as we present it, in truth this theory contains the whole basis of a final theory, not only for science, but for all knowledge.

Science is knowledge. Knowledge compartmentalised as knowledge of science and knowledge of economics is no knowledge. Knowledge knows no bounds. And this theory presents to the world that KNOWLEDGE.

Process of Social Development | Principles of Social Development
Concepts in Development Theory | Individuality & Social Development | Other articles

Process of Social Development

• Society and Social Evolution, March 26, 2007
• Social Evolution, March 18, 2007
• Introduction to Development Theory, March 9, 2007
• Social Development Theory, Prepared by Ashok Natarajan, Secretary and Senior Research Associate of MSS, January 25, 2007
• Theory of Social Development , presented by Robert Macfarlane at World Academy conference on Development Theory in Chennai 1999
• Social Process of Development, theoretical derivation from Sri Aurobindo's theory of creation, April 14, 1999
• Development Process in the Social and Life Sciences, August 23, 1998
• Theory of Development, presented to Pacific Rim Economic Conference, Bangkok, January 13-18, 1998
• Role of Money and the Internet in Development, presented to Pacific Rim Economic Conference, Bangkok, January 13-18, 1998
• Presentation on Development Theory, by Garry Jacobs and Robert Macfarlane, Seminar on Development Theory, Chennai, 1997
• Special Lectures on Development, March 6, 1986
• The Process of Development, presented at Western Economics Association Conference in San Francisco, October 4, 1983
• Theoretical perspective on Contemporary American Social Problems, paper presented at the XI Quinquennial Congress of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences held at Vancouver, Canada in August 1983
• The Science of Development, November 12, 1981
• The Process

Principles of Social Development

I. Law & Theory, May 2007
II. Stages of Social Change, May 2007
III. Process of Development, May 2007
IV. Accomplishment, May 2007
V. Instruments of Development, May 2007
VI. Social Institutions, May 2007
VII. Levels of Consciousness, June 2007
VIII. Aspects of Life, May 2007
IX. Human Nature, May 2007
X. Miscellaneous, May 2007

• Other Statements of Principles

• Laws of Development, July 13, 1979

• 595 Principles of Social Development, February 23, 1979

Concepts in Development Theory

• Authority, May 3, 2007
• Ascent and Descent, April 26, 2007
• Technology, April 25, 2007
• Culture, April 13, 2007
• Social Consciousness, April 9, 2007
• Law, April 8, 2007
• Organization and Institution, April 2, 2007
• Efficiency, April 2, 2007
• The Line, April 2, 2007
• The Individual, Society & Individuality, March 27, 2007
• Population, March 27, 2007
• Obstacles & Anachronisms to Development, March 26, 2007
• Role of the Pioneer, March 22, 2007
• Determinants of Development, March 18, 2007
• Act as a Unit of Accomplishment, March 17, 2007
• Multiplier Effect, February 23, 2007
• Corruption, By Ashok Natarajan, June 24, 2006
• Stages of Individuality, Originally published in Consecration Magazine, Vol.3, Issue 1, March-April 2006, pg.8, Emergence of the Spiritual Individual, Part 2 Minor modifications have been made to the web version.
• Role of Family, School, Society and Individual, October 21, 2001
• Superstition, October 1, 2001
• Survival, Growth, Development and Evolution, September 30, 1999
• Resources: Finite and Infinite Resources, July 11, 1999
• Skill & Value Formation, January 23, 1994
• Development of New Social Consciousness
• Infrastructure

Individuality & Social Development

• Employment, Individuality and Development, By Garry Jacobs, Presented to the World Academy of Art and Science's e conference on Global Employment Challenge, Feb 14, 2010
• Answers on Individuality, By Ashok Natarajan, Feb 1, 2010, Presented to The World Academy's e-conference on Individuality
• Feminine Individuality in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, By Janani Harish, Feb 3, 2010, Presented to The World Academy's e-conference on Individuality
• Evolution of Individuality, By Garry Jacobs, Feb 6, 2010, Presented to The World Academy's e-conference on Individuality
• Paper on Individuality, Sept 2, 2009

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