Agency, Freedom, Empowerment in Development

Author: Jeffrey R. Scott

When planning development we are driven to always keep the “why” in the front of our vision because it tends to inform us of what is important.  This article will address the most important reason to do economic development work. And this factor will then drive all of the actions to deliver the best possible outcomes.

We have to consider the big question first.  Why are we here on earth?  Without understanding that reality we have no purpose, except the transient idea of the day.

I believe that we are here to fulfill the measure of our creation – to be the most or best that we can possibly be.  Without getting into the religious ramifications of what that is, it is a given that in order to manifest whatever we believe that is, we need agency in order to achieve the best results.

There are several factors surrounding agency.  First we realize that “choice” is what we are talking about.

We also have to realize that just because one has choice he may not believe he has choice over his circumstances.  The old adage “You can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink” applies here.  Even though some may be in a state where the greatest possibility to make life changing choices is available, many may not believe that what they can do for themselves will actually make a difference in their outcomes.

There are many that mistakenly believe government is the entity that caries the responsibility to provide them with a better life.  When they harbor this belief they will make little effort at self improvement.  And when effort is made, and they see no immediate positive change, they may give up easily.

Realizing this, drives home the idea that to be a change agent one must proactively emphasize positive outcomes for the benefit of stakeholders and beneficiaries.  The projected vision has the absolute necessity to include the outcomes that personal initiative can accomplish; and then to encourage that individual initiative.  Without effort on the part of beneficiaries the likelihood of them fulfilling the measure of their creation is nil.

You can not force people to want to be better, but you can put systems and infrastructure in place, provide mentors, and then publicize the “new opportunity” for effective improvement.  The infrastructure that Banquex makes possible through their eco-development ecosystem^® empowers people with the greater freedom necessary for positive change.

Just because a business owner makes more profit today, because of better infrastructure and systems, does not mean he will take that profit and invest in the growth of his business.  Often people need to be informed that prudent investment can provide even greater profits down the road, and then be consulted as to what actions will likely result in those greater profits.

This is all part of the ecosystem Banquex has put in place to affect economic development to be achievable and sustainable.

So when doing economic development or as Banquex has identified it, the Banquex Eco-Development Ecosystem^®, we need to keep these factors in mind.

Further, each action of development needs to be informed and guided by the notion that the freedom to choose is the ultimate end goal for infrastructure and systems; and then specify what that looks like for everything that is being built and installed.  Sometimes the positive outcomes are hidden or occur as a consequence of other benefits.  The importance here is that the vision is included in these positive outcomes, so the workers, stakeholders and beneficiaries know what to expect.  It is much easier arriving at a destination that one can see.

Another remarkable fact is that the greater the economic freedom of a region, the easier it is to accomplish sustainable economic growth.  Freedom engenders trust and trust is a vital ingredient in speedily doing business.

In the end, Banquex is delivering freedom for those that are involved at every level.  And this freedom makes possible the employment of actions leading to the maximum number of people fulfilling the measure of their creation.  But regardless, all should have the right.  So the development is ongoing. 

There are other articles relating to Development as Freedom in our blog.