The growth of a nation is tied to the growth of its major cities. Top cities globally have grown faster in terms of GDP than their nation’s GDP. Major cities contribute to the economic prosperity of a nation and not vice versa. Investments, trade and consumptions take place in the major cities of the world.

Most of the governments and their economists spend more than 50% of their time focussing on nation growth and not on city growth. Government policies are framed related to building of the national economies which are considered to be the route of all economic development and growth. Nation building deals with central government policy and structure, military modernization, social planning, large scale infrastructure, global and bilateral trade agreements, financial integration and agricultural support.

Global nations like China, India and even the developed nations like the USA keep a tight control on their central policies and a tight rein on local initiatives. The net result is that many progressive cities reach decline in economic growth, environmental quality and social stability.

Little attention is paid to cities for their economic growth. The net impact is a two way decline. Businesses and investments move away to other favourable places and the talented people of the progressive cities migrate to other cities in search of opportunities.