The distribution of per capita income among 62 countries has not only become more unequal between 1949 and 1957, but is also more unequal if compared with the distribution of incomes within the countries concerned. The degree of inequality is measured by the concentration ratio and the distributions are represented by Lorenz curves. Another way of illustrating this change is to compare the rate of growth in per capita incomes in the 62 countries with the overall average rate of growth. It is found that in lessdeveloped countries, notably India, weighing very heavily in our selection of countries, the rate of growth has been slower than the overall average.
The past two decades have seen an enormous proliferation in writings on economic development, planning, and programming. Equipped with the aggregative tools of economic analysis acquired since the Thirties, economists have searched for methods and policy measures by which to further economic development. In many developing countries the government has assumed the responsibility of pursuing a deliberate, rational, and consistent economic policy in achieving the objectives of development, in accordance with established priorities, by direct and/or indirect interventions into the performance of the economy. With this expanded role of the public sector, the budget has come to acquire an important role as a policy instrument, since it reflects the qualitative and quantitative aspects of public policy, and puts into effect public policy measures influencing economic activity.
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