Jafar Al-Shayeb Al-Sharq All the countries in our region are described as Third World countries not only because of their economic conditions but also because of the poor development of their human resources. What is worse, these countries continue to lag behind while advanced countries continue to move forward and become more and more developed in all fields. To be successful like them, the countries in our region should study the factors and elements that have made developed countries successful today. This is the only path to success. Ignoring such factors and elements will definitely only lead to further backwardness. Developed countries have adopted strategic planning, identified their capabilities, and made decisions accordingly. They have advanced while we have lagged behind because of our bad and contradictory planning and decision-making, a characteristic that is common in our government agencies. These countries have advanced because they have clear-cut political structures that make those in high positions work hard to serve society. Every senior official in developed countries realizes that the more raises and promotions he gets, the more efforts he has to exert to serve society. Unfortunately, the officials in our region do not have the same sense of responsibility and act as if they are going to remain in the same high positions for years and years to come. Developed countries have advanced because they have accountability mechanisms that hold negligent officials responsible for failure to perform their duties well. Such mechanisms do not exist in the countries of our region. That is why officials in high positions commit violations because they know they can get away with it. Other countries have advanced because all members of society participate effectively in the planning and decision-making process. We have lagged behind because social participation does not exist; the government is solely responsible for making decisions. In developed countries, no one is above the law and everyone follows the law. In underdeveloped countries, only the poor and weak are subject to the law. The decision-makers and those in high positions are above the law. Developed countries have advanced because they recognize and respect differences among members of society, and they lay down strict laws that acknowledge such differences. We have lagged behind because tribal loyalty, discrimination and racism are still rampant in our societies. In advanced countries, there is freedom of expression and all types of creativity are encouraged, resulting in ongoing scientific advancement in all fields. In underdeveloped countries, freedom is stifled and ideas are crushed, and as a result, creativity does not exist while backwardness and ignorance are prevalent. In developed countries, the members of society are the cornerstone of development and advancement. These countries have civil institutions that protect the rights of the general public. In our region, the members of society and their rights seem to be at the bottom of the list of priorities. If underdeveloped countries fail to adopt strategic planning, guarantee freedom and the rights of citizens, and enforce accountability policies, they will remain backward and they will always be viewed as Third World states.
