Development Aid and Economic Theories

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'structural violence' refer to in the context of social injustice?

The environmental damage inflicted by industrialization.

The emotional trauma caused by personal conflicts.

The physical harm caused by individuals during protests.

A system that restricts individuals from exploring their full potential. (correct)

According to Wallerstein's World System Theory, how are the elite of the core and periphery interconnected?

They maintain separate economies.

They collaborate to exploit the periphery. (correct)

They share military resources for mutual benefit.

They compete equally in global trade.

What role do semi-periphery countries play in the capitalist world economy?

They are completely independent of the core.

They do not engage in global trade.

They act as a buffer between the core and periphery. (correct)

They rely solely on military strength.

Which concept describes the relationship among states in the capitalist world economy?

World-system Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a factor contributing to the stability of world-systems?

Concentration of military strength and ideological commitment. Signup and view all the answers

What prescriptive solution does Neo-Marxism propose for underdevelopment in peripheral countries?

Complete disconnection from the existing system. Signup and view all the answers

Which two types of world-systems are described?

World-empire and world-economy. Signup and view all the answers

Why do states in the periphery struggle to form alliances against dominating countries?

Divergent interests among themselves. Signup and view all the answers

How is imperialism characterized in relation to capitalism according to Lenin?

As the final stage of capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of dependence theory?

It lacks empirical evidence to support its claims. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event marked the emergence of technical assistance as a key objective in foreign policy?

Harry Truman’s 'point IV' program Signup and view all the answers

What was the development aid contribution goal set by developed countries within the UN framework?

0.7% of gross domestic product Signup and view all the answers

What marked a decrease in classical development aid after the Cold War?

The rise of liberal values Signup and view all the answers

Which index has been modified to address inequalities in development?

Human Development Index Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as an essential factor for modernization according to the liberal economic development theory?

A growing rate of economic investment Signup and view all the answers

How does the content characterize the distribution of resources in society?

Few rich individuals control resources and set rules Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the Millennium Development Goals initiated in the 2000s?

To eradicate half of the world’s extreme poverty by 2015 Signup and view all the answers

What issue does the concept of inequalities focus on according to Marxism?

Access to education and basic resources Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant role of the Non-Aligned Movement during its first three decades?

To contribute to decolonization and democratization Signup and view all the answers

Which theory criticizes the notion of economic growth as modernization in Latin American countries?

Dependency theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the core-periphery model proposed by Samir Amin focused on?

The relationship between colonizing and colonized countries Signup and view all the answers

What is one proposed solution to avoid 'development of underdevelopment' in peripheral countries?

Delinking from the world economy Signup and view all the answers

Which scholar is associated with the concept of structural imperialism?

John Galtung Signup and view all the answers

What does the Dependency school argue about Latin American countries after independence?

They remain economically dependent despite their independence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the viewpoint of the New International Economic Order proposed in the 1970s?

It sought to provide a framework for reducing global inequalities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument put forth by structuralists regarding class struggle in former colonies?

There is a class struggle between elites and the working class within former colonies. Signup and view all the answers

What does the dependency theory state about core and periphery countries?

Periphery countries remain economically underdeveloped due to their dependency. Signup and view all the answers

Which major event in 1955 was significant in discussing Third World engagement in decolonization?

Bandung Conference Signup and view all the answers

According to the neo-Marxist perspective, what economic structure prevents the development of periphery countries?

Structural dependence on core economies Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the Dependency and Development in Latin America theory?

It explores the causes of sustained economic underdevelopment. Signup and view all the answers

Which issue complicates the potential for revolution according to structuralists?

The differing interests between proletariat in core and periphery countries. Signup and view all the answers

What represents a key concern of neo-Marxist approaches to international relations?

Analyzing economic factors as structural issues. Signup and view all the answers

What perspective fears that big powers may wage war against less powerful nations?

Militaristic perspective Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxist theories, what is viewed as the primary driver of historical change?

Class struggle Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the economic conditions of many countries during the wave of decolonization?

Fake independence Signup and view all the answers

According to Lenin, what is considered the highest stage of capitalism?

Imperialism Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Marxist theories regarding international relations?

Social class dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What reason often leads countries to accept non-beneficial international rules?

Economic dependence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements does NOT align with the Marxist view of international relations?

States act in self-interest Signup and view all the answers

What was a critical factor enabling the decolonization process in the mid-20th century?

Loss of power by colonial empires Signup and view all the answers

Which phase in Marx's theory is considered the culmination of historical development?

Communism Signup and view all the answers

What view of history does Marxism promote regarding economic systems?

Conflict-driven and dynamic Signup and view all the answers

How did Marx perceive the relationship between the economy and politics?

Economy is more significant than politics Signup and view all the answers

What did the initial rejection of Marxism in international relations partly stem from?

Perception as a biased ideology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between realist, liberal, and Marxist theories?

Inclusion of social class dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Marxists advocate regarding the capitalist system?

Complete abolition through revolution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development Aid and Development Indexes

Before WWII, development aid was rare and tied to strategic interests.
Post-WWII, technical assistance increased, spearheaded by Truman's Point IV.
The OECD's Development Assistance Committee was formed in 1960.
Developed nations pledged 0.7% of GDP to development aid in 1970, but the goal was never met.
The 1980s saw increased conditionality from the IMF, and post-Cold War, classical aid shrunk.
The 2000s saw aid evolve with the Millennium Declaration and its goals, for example, halving extreme poverty by 2015.

Liberal Economic Development Theory

Traditional societies progress to modern ones through modernization.
Key modernization factors include free market economies, high investment rates, and foreign direct investment.
GDP isn't a sufficient measure of well-being; health and education indicators also matter.
The Human Development Index has been adjusted to incorporate factors such as the Gender Inequality Index.

Inequalities and Marxism

Global inequalities exist concerning access to education, water, and food.
A few rich benefit, controlling the rules for less developed countries.
Countries opposing these rules often do so due to economic and military vulnerability, and sometimes due to internalized beliefs about their position.
A Marxist perspective advocates revolution to dismantle the system.
Other scholars suggest a semi-periphery category; countries aspire to move up.

Marxism and International Relations

Marxist theories were initially sidelined in IR due to their association with the Soviet Union.
The end of the Cold War and decolonization revived interest in a Marxist analysis of capitalism's dynamics.
A few powerful countries make rules, without sufficient opposition from peripheral countries.
Opposition is influenced by military threats, economic dependency, and psychological factors (internalized inferiority).

Marxism and IR (continued)

Marx (1818-1883); Capitalists control production, extracting profit from workers' labor.
Marxism emphasizes a global, non-state-centric view of IR; national interests are secondary to the bourgeoisie's interests.
A Eurocentric view often existed, suggesting development paths followed by European powers are universal.
Colonialism may be seen as a step towards global communism.
Marx believed capitalism's expansion would lead to its destruction, replaced by communism.
He saw economics as most important, politics secondary.

Lenin (1870-1924): Imperialism

Colonized countries are seen as the global proletariat.
Imperialist countries are viewed as capitalist exploiters.
Lenin analyzes the late nineteenth-century surge in colonialism; for example, the Belgian Congo, and similar efforts by other European powers.
Lenin connected declining profit rates with the search for raw materials and colonies.
Imperialism, for Lenin, is the highest stage of capitalism, a struggle for control.

Key Differences Between Theories

Realism: Focuses on state survival.
Liberalism: Emphasizes cooperation towards individual well-being.
Marxism: Prioritizes the bourgeoisie's profit.
Actors and Objectives: States (realism), states (liberalism), social classes (Marxism).
Peace and Stability: Balance of power (realism), cooperation (liberalism), socialism (Marxism).

Marxism vs. IR Post-WWII

A primarily Western IR discipline, especially initially, largely ignored Marxist perspectives during bipolar competition.
Neo-Marxism attempted justifying Soviet foreign policy but not as a substantial theory.
Marxist focus on economics differs from IR's security concerns.

New Claims and Developments

Decolonization and the emergence of non-aligned nations.
The Bandung Conference (1955) began the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Non-Aligned Movement (1961) aimed to counter the existing global order.
The 1970s saw discussions around New International Economic Order.

Neo-Marxist Approaches

Neo-Marxists study newly independent nations' situations, examining the structural forces influencing them.
Dependency School: Latin American countries are structurally dependent for economic reasons, not primarily political reasons.
Modernization theory criticized for overlooking structural dependence.

Dependency School (Continued)

Cardoso and Faletto: Proposed structural dependence.
Samir Amin: Unequal exchange, commercial, financial, technological, and social dependencies shape the world economy, with developing countries providing mostly raw materials.
The disparity in exchange rates creates unequal exchange.
Solutions involve disconnecting from the global capitalist system to avoid underdevelopment through growth.

Structuralism

Galtung: Extended dependency theory via structural imperialism, with core and periphery within individual nations.
Class struggle exists within countries, as does international economic conflict.
Competition among countries in the periphery hinders united action.
The system perpetuates itself by providing hope for core advancement.
Positive peace exists when all have potential maximized, which is missing if structural violence is present.

World System Theory

Wallerstein (1979): World System is composed of core, semi-periphery, and periphery, where elites in each level form alliances.
Unequal exchange is facilitated by alliances between core state elites and periphery state elites.
Capitalism is seen as hierarchically structured economically, although politically anarchic.
The semi-periphery’s aspiration to reach the core contributes to system stability.
World-systems are either world-empires with redistributive economies or world-economies with market capitalism.
The semi-periphery supports the functioning of the overall capitalist system.

Summary of Neo-Marxist Theories

Who: States, through their elites.
What: Conflicts explained by profit-driven dynamics.
How/Why: Imperialism maintained via unequal exchange, coalition among elites, development of underdevelopment in specific regions or countries.
So what: Disconnect from the system (dependency school), or understanding of dynamics and structural forces (other perspectives).
Limitations: Empirical data supporting the theories sometimes were limited - for example, Amin advocated disconnection from the global economy. However many countries did participate and succeeded in industrialization leading to core/semi-periphery status.

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Description

This quiz explores the evolution of development aid from pre-WWII to the post-Cold War era, highlighting key milestones like Truman's Point IV and the OECD's initiatives. Additionally, it covers liberal economic development theory and the importance of various indicators beyond GDP in measuring well-being.