A Quest for Development Metrology
Ram C. Poudel1, 3, David Wood 2, and Jon G. McGowan 3
1Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Central Campus Pulchowk, Institute of Engineering,
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
2Department
of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
3Department
of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
ABSTRACT
Social field theory (SFT) is a new eclectic analytical construct on the foundation of
classical field theories. This paper explores development metrology in the framework of SFT. Two
intensive properties of the SFT, “economic temperature” and “economic entropy,” are candidate
variables to measure magnitude and direction of development respectively. Economic temperature
is a phrase conceived by Emanuele Sella in 1915 with an aim to supersede challenge associated
with value measurement. We define economic temperature as a product of social strength and trust
vector. Economic entropy is an isomorphic concept of the laws of energetics. In a social field,
kinetic energy and potential energy of an individual are equivalent to capital and capabilities.
These two forms of social energy are asset of a society, that characterize a society and its trajectory
defines development process.
We show, by comparing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Human
Development Index (HDI) with the economic temperature, that the HDI needs to be augmented
with additional variables, such as trust vector, to account for harmony between a society and an
individual. The trust vector can be measured utilizing Self-Anchoring Striving Scale known as
Cantril's Ladder popular in public opinion research. The paper also suggests a number of relevant
variables that might help advance the analytical study of social science disciplines.
1
Assistant Professor; Tel. (703) 989-1783/E-Mail: rcpoudel@ioe.edu.np (Corresponding author).
2 Professor; 2500 University Dr NW Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada; Tel. (403) 220-3637/E-Mail: dhwood@ucalgary.ca
3 Professor; 160 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Tel. 413) 545-2756/E-Mail: jgmcgowa@ecs.umass.edu