Development Quote by Walter Rodney
““Development means a capacity for self-sustaining growth. It means that an economy must register advances which in turn will promote further progress. The loss of industry and skill in Africa was extremely small, if we measure it from the viewpoint of modern scientific achievements or even by the standards of England in the late eighteenth century. However, it must be borne in mind that to be held back at one stage means that it is impossible to go on to a further stage. When a person is forced to leave school after only two years of primary school education, it is no reflection on him that he is academically and intellectually less developed than someone who had the opportunity to be schooled right through to university level. What Africa experienced in the early centuries of trade was precisely a loss of development opportunity, and this is of greatest importance.””
About This Quote
Source Book: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney, 1972
Development is the ability of an economy to sustain growth, where each advance creates conditions for further progress; loss of early education and industry hampers future stages of development.
In simple terms: Development is self‑sustaining growth; early setbacks block later progress.
Key Takeaway
Invest in education and skill building to enable continuous growth.
Themes
development
education
economic growth
inequality
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- primary education
- industrial policy
- trade development
- poverty reduction
- regional planning
Key Concepts
human capital
path dependence
structural constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- How can early education gaps be remedied today?
- What policies can prevent loss of development opportunities?
A Different Perspective
If foundational capacities are weak, later investments may yield limited returns.
![“Even when things are stable, that's not easy [to work in Africa] because there are not roads, and the weather is tough, the education system hasn't been there. But this is how you get great countries, is step by step.” quote by Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68f/bill-gates-137_country_even-when-things-are-stable-that-s-not-e_1991867.jpg)
