The Politics of Development

Lesson Starter Outline how trade and debt can hinder development

Political factors affecting development in African Countries Lesson Aims I will learn 1.The effects of War on developing countries 2.The effects of Bad governance to developing countries

Political Factors affecting development Conflict/Wars Armed conflict leads to food shortages on a large scale and destroys economic and social development. Workers are killed Infrastructure destroyed eg roads/bridges Crops destroyed Farms/livestock destroyed People displaced Businesses destroyed unemployment Money spent on arms – not on health and education

War Africa is a continent more affected by armed conflict than any other continent. Wars between countries Civil Wars – Political/tribal/religious reasons Unresolved disputes following independence. Recent examples of Wars Sudan Rwanda Somalia Mozambique Congo

2003 – War broke out in Darfur – region in Sudan (roughly the size of France) Groups fighting in Sudan Sudanese government Janjaweed (supported by the government) Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) Justice for Equality Movement (JEM) Sudan

Armed conflict – Sudan – Darfur 2003 – Rebels (Sudanese Liberation Movement) began attacking the government Disputes over equality – Arabs treated better than Black Africans. For many years there has been tension over land and grazing rights. The Sudanese government began fighting back and are thought to have organised an Arab emergency army called – Janjaweed. Janjaweed has been accused various offences against non Arab Sudanese people. Stealing property/land Murder Torture Rape

4 th March 2009 – The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Al Bashir Justice and Equality Movement - the most heavily armed and active of the rebel groups in Darfur - has welcomed the warrant as a victory for the refugees and the displaced, and a victory for humanity. But as a direct result of the indictment, Khartoum expelled 10 foreign aid agencies, including Oxfam, Care, Save the Children UK and Medecins Sans Frontieres from Darfur, who between them supply food and water to some 1.5 million people.

Aid has been disrupted because it is too dangerous for aid workers to come into the country. Government blocked food supplies in areas where rebels were living. At present aid of NGOs has been blocked in Darfur as a result of the indictment against the president Millions of dollars was spent on the military which meant that public services were neglected. Children are forced to become soldiers. Infrastructure destroyed.

Bad governance/Kleptocracy Kleptocracy/Corrupt Government – When a dictator or a group use their power to benefit themselves. Those who support the dictator or the regime are rewarded while those who do not are punished. The Commission for Africa identified bad governance as a key issue explaining the lack of development in Many African countries. The government and the police cannot be trusted Taxes are not collected efficiently Widespread corruption – Government officials have lavish standards of living while ordinary people are living in absolute poverty. Human rights are abused. Legal system is not independent.

Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe is known throughout the world for his authoritarian and corrupt regime. Vote rigging Racism Violation of human rights Beatings/torture and murder are common Restricted press Freud – using government and aid money wrongly Deception Foreign journalists are banned ZIMBABWE

Economic problems – Zimbabwe Zimbabwe was once the economic leader in Africa but as a consequence of mismanagement the country has experienced economic disasters. Exchange rate has fallen Inflation has risen – 2005 it was 80% 2004 unemployment rate was 80% Income per head is lower now than it was in 1980 Land distribution policies – White farmers evicted – crippling the agricultural industry. Tourism has collapsed

Social problems – Zimbabwe homes destroyed – people homeless Since 2000 Zimbabwe unable to feed itself – 50% of population need emergency food aid. However in May 2004 Mugabe refused food aid stating that Zimbabwe had enough food. Life expectancy in low 70% of people live in poverty. Rate of HIV infection – 25% of the population Primary school completion rates are down Poor sanitation and water supplies – 2008 Cholera outbreak

To what extent is conflict a factor in preventing development. (15 marks) Effects of war and conflict – how it hinders development Examples of recent conflict However, conflict is not the only factor Health, education, economic factors, corrupt government.