Ma`rifat Siyasi

Various theories about development have been the subject of speculation and inquiry. Some regard that the apparent life of industrial societies an indication of development and reconstruction. Some others adopt an oppressive attitude and maintain that societies have to comply with what they determine A third group adopt a negative view and hold that the capitalistic economic system which works systematically hinders the development of the third-world countries and brings to them economic disturbances. The ultimate aim of the western view of development is achieving absolute materialistic welfare, a view which is not approved by Islam for Islam seesthat materialistic welfare is only a means of attaining fundamental goals. The author expounds the Islamic viewpont of the meaning of development and its objectives. Then he tries to point out to the cultural areas of development and progress in the view of Islam, the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Imam Khomeini to illustrate the overall features of the Islamic type of the idea of development. The essay seeks to shed light on the various points which play an effective role in attaining a distinct meaning of development in Islam.