"The Development Dictionary"

In January 1949, the word "underdeveloped" arose. It immediately had a negative connotation to the word. People felt the word defined their identity, undermined their confidence in themselves and their culture, and found the word very belittling.

The word "development" then meant "to escape from the undignified conditions called underdevelopment" as well as " the political mobilization for people obtaining their own objectives."

However, in the scientific field, development meant "a process through which the potential ties of an object or organism are released until it reaches its natural full- fledged form." Considering this definition would so called "underdeveloped" countries actually (by definition) be underdeveloped?

Considering the different views on the meaning of the word development. What do you think the definition of the word "development" means and why? What is the connotation of the word? How would others react to the definition?