Planning is by democratic consent rather than by dictatorial blueprint. To balance resources against population, figure a possible living standard, and appoint every man to his post, is not an excessively difficult job on the drawing-board. I have done it myself on occasion. But to get men, particularly Americans, and particularly the native stock of the Tennessee mountains, to go to their posts is something else again. The connection is remote.
Blueprints are necessary.
In the shape of land planning maps, of course, they are as vital as working drawings for dams or integrated power load. There has been much confusion about the whole matter of planning. Let us see if we can get the basic concepts clear. It is agreed that our objective is to raise the living standards of a given area. Assess the natural resources, design the plant, and invite the people in.