International Development

International DevelopmentChapter 9

• Meaning of Development • Measuring Development• Location of More and Less Developed Countries• Strategies for International Development

What Do We Mean By Development?

The three objectives of development increases in availability and improvements

in the distribution of food, shelter, health, protection, etc.

improvements in ‘levels of living,’ including higher incomes, more jobs, better education, etc.

expansions in the range of economic and social choices available to individuals and nations

Measuring DevelopmentEconomic Indicators

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Types of Jobs (Economic Sectors) Natural Resources

• Deemed essential, but Japan? • Some more important than others.

Consumer Goods (Nonessentials)• Motor Vehicles, Telephones, Televisions

New International Division of Labor

Source: U.N. World Development Report, 1998

Life expectancy 

Adult literacy rate 

GDP per capita

Human development index (HDI)

USA  76.4 99 26977 0.943 Norway  77.6 99 22427 0.943 Canada  79.1 99 21916 0.96 France  78.7 99 21176 0.946 Iceland  79.2 99 21064 0.942 Netherlands  77.5 99 19876 0.941 China  69.2 81.5 2935 0.65 Albania  70.6 85 2853 0.656 Uzbekistan  67.5 99 2376 0.659 Ukraine  68.5 98 2361 0.665 Turkmenistan  64.9 98 2345 0.66 Pakistan  62.8 37.8 2209 0.453 India  61.6 52 1422 0.451 Burkina Faso  46.3 19.2 784 0.219 Niger  47.5 13.6 765 0.207 Burundi  44.5 35.3 637 0.241Sierra Leone  34.7 31.4 625 0.185 Mali  47 31 565 0.236All developing countries  62.2 70.44 3068 0.5864Least developed countries  51.16 49.2 1008 0.3439Industrial countries  74.17 98.63 16337 0.9114World  63.62 77.58 5990 0.7715

Total value of goods and services produced in a country each year, usually stated in per capita terms.

Gap Between MDCs and LDCs growing

Last two decades: GDP up $10,000 in MDCs compared to $200 in LDCs. Many in Africa and Latin America actually decreased!

Measures average, not distribution of wealth

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Measuring DevelopmentSocial Indicators

Education and Literacy Health and Welfare

Measuring DevelopmentSocial Indicators

Education and Literacy Health and Welfare

Measuring DevelopmentDemographic Indicators

Life Expectancy (37 - 80 years) Infant Mortality (<10 - >100 per

thousand) Natural Increase (0 - 4.7 %)

Singapore 80.1 77.1 83.2 6.1Australia 79.8 76.9 82.7 5.8Jordan 77.4 74.9 79.9 5Luxembourg 77.1 73.8 80.6 6.8United States 77.1 74.2 79.9 5.7Botswana 39.3 38.6 39.9 1.3Angola 38.3 37.1 39.6 2.5Zimbabwe 37.8 39.2 36.3 -2.8Malawi 37.6 37.2 38 0.8Mozambique 37.5 38.3 36.7 -1.7Zambia 37.2 37.1 37.4 0.3World 64 62 65 3

Nation

Life Expectancy for everyone

Life Expectancy for Females

Years women expected to outlive men

Life Expectancy for Males

Life Expectancy

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2001

Measuring DevelopmentHuman Development Index (HDI):•Economic - GDP•Social - literacy and education•Demographic - life expectancy

* The single most important geographic fact of development is its striking unevenness.

* Read pages 293 - 301 carefully. You’re expected to be familiar with the information for each region.

Location of More and Less Developed Countries

Development generally reflects a North-South split in the world.

Institutions of International Development

United Nations - formed in 1945 to promote peace. 189 current members.

World Bank - financial assistance and loans. Owned by 189 United Nations members.

International Monetary Fund - arm of U.N. that surveys and oversees international money exchange to prevent monetary crises. Also provides loans and training to help countries with balance of payment problems.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) - World Watch, Human Rights Watch, World Commission on Dams, many others.

Strategies for International Development

Self-Sufficiency ModelInternational Trade Model (Economic

Growth) Rostow’s Model

Basic Needs Model/Appropriate Technology Model

Revolutionary/Radical Reform Model

Rostow’s ModelAmerican economist and political advisor during 1950s developed model, arguing that each country passes through five stages from traditional society to high mass consumption.

TRADITIONAL SOCIETYPRECONDITIONS FOR TAKE-OFF - elite group initiates economic innovations, leads to productivity.TAKE-OFF - rapid growth in a number of specific economic activities, technical advances.DRIVE TO MATURITY - Modern technology diffuses to a wide variety of industriesAGE OF MASS CONSUMPTION - economy shifts from heavy industry to consumer goods.

Problems in International Development

High Debt CountriesStructural Adjustment Programs

IMF Requirements for Loans and Assistance Warfare and Instability Limit Foreign

InvestmentCore-Periphery Relationships May Be

Necessary for Economic Growth Within Countries Globally

High Debt Countries

Loans to LDCs now exceed $2.1 trillion dollars. Interest payments consume some small economies, encouraging export earnings instead of internal improvements.

Warfare and Instability Limit Foreign Investment

Problem’s with Rostow’s Model and the International Trade Approach

•Developmentalism: the idea that every country and region will eventually make economic progress toward “high mass consumption” provided that they compete to the best of their ability. This is not likely and is hard on the planet.• Increased dependence on MDCs and their markets. Undue influence on many global policies, including those of the U.N. and World Bank. •Market Stagnation: the MDCs have very limited population growth. Markets for low-cost manufactured goods grow slowly today. Undervalues the obstacles and competitive disadvantages faced by late starters versus those in the Core.

Other Problems in International Development

High Debt CountriesHostility Regarding World Bank and IMF

Structural Adjustment Programs IMF “Free Market” Requirements for Loans and

Assistance Warfare and Instability Limit Foreign

InvestmentCore-Periphery Relationships May Be

Necessary for Economic Growth Within Countries Globally

Progress Towards Development

NIR = Natural Increase RateIMR = Infant Mortality Rate