Planners and Searchers

Victor Konde founder of the ATDF writes:

Governments have to provide some learning and experimentation space for creative ideas. Mr William Easterly argues that there are two types of approaches to development: “planners” and “searchers.”
Planners, mainly from the developed countries, have ambitious schemes, experienced development economists, serve as experts and financiers and greatly influence government policies of recipient countries — where possible backed by conditions.
Searchers, on the other hand, are often talented locals or returnees with good unproven ideas, often outside official government channels, with limited support.
The planners get most of the attention as they champion one “new big idea” after another. No one knows what searchers exist or champion until the projects, if they managed to get support, become successful.
Promoting entrepreneurship may require provision of support for individuals willing to test innovative concepts.