<p>Yes, there is some evidence that immoral behavior, as exemplified though political corruption, is bad for economic development. The body of literature is large and to the extent that I am familiar with it, some corruption can "grease the wheels" and hasten development. In general, massive amounts of corruption is seen as a serious hinderence to development.</p>

<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=corruption+and+economic+development&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=0&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholart&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=8YxkVbyICYqzoQT5moKIBA&amp;ved=0CBoQgQMwAA" rel="nofollow">https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=corruption+and+economic+development&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=0&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholart&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=8YxkVbyICYqzoQT5moKIBA&amp;ved=0CBoQgQMwAA</a></p>

<p>Also, I think that the utilitarian ideal suggests that all else being equal, more wealth and consumption is better. This implies that economic development carries a moral weight. That is to say, an ethical society should develop economically, to raise the standard of living and reduce suffering.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-26T15:13:55.363Z
2015-05-26T15:13:55.363Z
RegressForward
<p>I have often listen to the old man who criticized the lack of morality in the Chinese people nowadays: "<em>To get more money, break through to the bottom line to get more money!</em>"</p>

<p>Is there a contradiction between economic development and morality? Are there any countries that are highly ethical standards that develop very well?</p>

<reference-request><data-request><economic-growth><development><development-economics>
Moral and economic development paradox?
lhff
# Moral and economic development paradox?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-05-26)

I have often listen to the old man who criticized the lack of morality in the Chinese people nowadays: "*To get more money, break through to the bottom line to get more money!*"

Is there a contradiction between economic development and morality? Are there any countries that are highly ethical standards that develop very well?

**Tags:** reference-request, data-request, economic-growth, development, development-economics

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-05-26. Score: 2

Yes, there is some evidence that immoral behavior, as exemplified though political corruption, is bad for economic development. The body of literature is large and to the extent that I am familiar with it, some corruption can "grease the wheels" and hasten development. In general, massive amounts of corruption is seen as a serious hinderence to development.

<https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=corruption+and+economic+development&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=8YxkVbyICYqzoQT5moKIBA&ved=0CBoQgQMwAA>

Also, I think that the utilitarian ideal suggests that all else being equal, more wealth and consumption is better. This implies that economic development carries a moral weight. That is to say, an ethical society should develop economically, to raise the standard of living and reduce suffering.


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