1. Developing Countries Problems & Possibilities

2. Intro to the Problems Life expectancy Income disparity (w/in countries & between “North” & “South”) International trade disparities Crime & corruption Problems of debt –Worldwide, $900 Billion is spent on military (US spends about ½), but only $50 billion given in aid –US is at the bottom of aid as % of GNP

3. North-South Divide: Life Expectancy http://www.worldbank.org/data/maps/maps.htm http://www.worldbank.org/data/maps/maps.htm

4. Infant Mortality Rates high (but are being reduced) http://hdr.undp.org/ http://hdr.undp.org/

5. Income Per Capita http://www.worldbank.org/data/maps/maps.htm http://www.worldbank.org/data/maps/maps.htm

6. % Population living under $1/day http://hdr.undp.org/

7. An uneven playing field in international trade rules

8. Aid donors (top 5, bottom 5) Actual dollars & as a percent of GNP

9. How to Solve this problem? Whose to blame for underdevelopment in Less Developed Countries (LDCs) –Internal factors (Modernization) –Global factors (Dependency) How to fix the problem depends on perception of who is causing them

10. Modernization Theory Internal factors are the most important in explaining internal problems LDCs should adopt ‘modern’ (Western) cultural values & econ & political systems –Argue that those countries that are most involved in international economic system are the most successful Many argue that individual rights (especially property rights) are the key to development –If people have something to gain, are willing to work

11. Dependency Theory Blame external economic factors –Theontonio dos Santos rejected idea that LDCs should adopt Western model LDCs dependent on West –neocolonialism Multi-national corporations (MNCs) dominate LDC markets & transfer profits out of LDCs –Economies of LDCs have become “permanently unequal partners in the global system” (Magstadt, 572) –Debt is crippling LDCs (US pushed easing of Iraqi debt, but others are pushing for global debt relief) Promote a more socialistic & independent path to development (less tied to global markets)

12. Nigeria Corruption is a major problem –It’s one reason many people favor Sharia –Muslims video: “purpose of Islam is to scare you from committing a crime” Oil in Nigeria has not created prosperity –During the oil boom, leadership borrowed billions, but either squandered or stole –Nigerians are poorer today than in 1974 (per capita income < $350) –Companies point to corrupt government officials, but others argue that foreign firms promote corruption & benefit from sweet deals –http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3542901.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3542901.stm Religious & Ethnic tensions have worsened, probably b/c of poverty Colonialism warped much of African society –Creation of arbitrary boundaries –Maria Rojas argues that colonialism entrenched sexism in Nigeria –http://www.postcolonialweb.org/nigeria/colonwom.htmlhttp://www.postcolonialweb.org/nigeria/colonwom.html Nigeria should be able to succeed, given it’s oil wealth –Other countries are struggling even more & lack such resources to deal with their debt problems

13. Benefits of Debt Relief http://hdr.undp.org/ http://hdr.undp.org/ When debt falls investment in health and education can increase US has pushed for debt relief for Iraq Others are calling for global debt relief