Ethiopian Socioeconomic Issues

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Questions and Answers

What is the predominant economic activity in Sri Lanka?

Mining

Agriculture (correct)

Manufacturing

Tourism

What is the relationship between women and men in the Ethiopian family structure?

Women typically have more authority than men.

Women are often the heads of the family.

Women are subordinate to male family members. (correct)

Women are equal to men in decision-making.

What is the maximum value of the Human Development Index (HDI)?

1.500

0.800

0.900

1.000 (correct)

Which country had the highest HDI score in the 2019 Human Development Report?

Norway Signup and view all the answers

What significant challenge do the Omo tribes face due to the construction of the Gilgel Gibe dams?

Loss of annual flooding essential for agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What was the average HDI trend observed globally?

It has increased over time. Signup and view all the answers

How does the healthcare availability differ in Ethiopia?

It is better in urban areas compared to rural areas. Signup and view all the answers

What was Sri Lanka's GDP per capita in 2019?

$3,853 Signup and view all the answers

What shortfall does Niger have in terms of HDI?

60.6 percent Signup and view all the answers

How many countries are classified by the UNDP as having a very high level of human development?

66 Signup and view all the answers

What issue is raised by scientists regarding the construction of the Gilgel Gibe dams?

It may disrupt the Omo tribes’ traditional livelihoods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary criticism of using standard economic indicators to measure development?

They may be ethnocentric and do not account for local contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a category used by the UNDP for classifying countries by HDI?

Moderate level Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the demographic transition in Sri Lanka?

Decline in death rates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a general disagreement about development?

The concept of development is seen as Eurocentric by some experts. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception regarding global inequality was mentioned as common?

Differences in human potential between races explain global differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the situation of the Lower Omo River Valley communities affected by flooding?

They face periodic relocation due to annual floods. Signup and view all the answers

What classification does the World Development Report use for countries?

Low income, lower-middle income, upper-middle income, and high income. Signup and view all the answers

What was the total number of countries for which HDI data were available?

189 Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of development does GNI per capita fail to fully capture according to the World Bank?

Overall welfare and quality of life. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these countries is noted as being at the top of the income scale?

Canada. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about economic development stages?

All countries progress through the same developmental stages. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which measure is correlated with higher economic development?

Higher levels of school enrollment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using GNI per capita as a development measure?

It can misrepresent the income distribution within a country. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the global hunger problem is represented by undernourished people in India?

30 percent Signup and view all the answers

What was the number of undernourished people in China in 2001?

140 million Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a root cause of the world food problem?

Overpopulation Signup and view all the answers

Which country is used as an example of a densely populated area that is not overpopulated?

South Korea Signup and view all the answers

What major event in 1984 led to food shortages affecting a large part of the population in Kenya?

Drought Signup and view all the answers

What perspective suggests that global political arrangements hinder food production in less developed countries?

World systems perspective Signup and view all the answers

As of the most recent data, how many undernourished people are reported in China?

40 million Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is emphasized as contributing to inadequate food supply distribution?

Political instability Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension of governance relates to how well a government is able to implement policies effectively?

Government effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue with the distribution of food aid in less developed countries?

A significant amount is sold by governments for profit. Signup and view all the answers

What is generally considered the ultimate cause of famine, as discussed in the content?

Political factors Signup and view all the answers

How does food aid affect local agricultural incentives in receiving countries?

It leads to increased dependence on external food supplies. Signup and view all the answers

What troubling occurrence was reported regarding humanitarian workers in Liberia?

They provided food aid in exchange for sexual favors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects a concern about food aid distribution?

Government control can lead to selective distribution of aid. Signup and view all the answers

During which event did Eritrea expel charities to draw attention to a border disagreement?

The 2006 drought and food shortage Signup and view all the answers

How are food aid efforts often misaligned with actual needs in less developed countries?

They are only given to urban areas despite rural needs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethiopia

Most Ethiopians, especially those in rural areas, lack formal education.
The family is the main social and economic unit, with women subordinate to men.
Healthcare varies between urban and rural areas.
The Omo River Valley is a region with difficult living conditions for indigenous tribes.
Omo tribes rely on the annual river flooding for agriculture, but resources are often insufficient.
Disputes regarding water rights are common between groups.
The Ethiopian government built dams and hydroelectric power plants which may negatively impact the Omo tribes' livelihood by disrupting the annual flooding.
The Omo tribes claim these projects will end their way of life.
The Ethiopian government argues that flooding can be regulated and the tribes will not be negatively impacted.
Scientists and international organizations consider the Omo tribes' concerns valid.
The Omo tribes were not involved in consultations about the dam construction.

Sri Lanka

A tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Dominated by low-lying terrain.
Experiences a tropical climate.
Limited resource base including minerals and power sources.
Agriculture is the main economic activity, with around 36% of the country under cultivation.
In 2020, Sri Lanka had a population of 22 million, a CBR of 15, a CDR of 6, and an RNI of 0.9.
Despite these positive demographic figures, Sri Lanka's GDP per capita in 2019 was US3,853,significantlylowerthancountrieslikeSingapore(US3,853, significantly lower than countries like Singapore (US3,853,significantlylowerthancountrieslikeSingapore(US65,233) and Malaysia (US$11,414).
Sri Lanka and Malaysia had comparable GNIs in the 1960s.

Sri Lanka's Problems

Despite successfully transitioning through the demographic transition, Sri Lanka experienced rapid population growth in the past.
Ethnocentric bias in development definitions, focusing on wealth and modernization.
Some argue that the entire concept of development is a Eurocentric construct.
Critics argue that development measures fail to address poverty adequately.

Measuring Economic Development

The World Bank's World Development Report measures development based on economic criteria, categorizing countries into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.
The classification reflects a developmentalist bias, suggesting that countries should strive for increased economic growth as they become more technologically advanced.
The World Bank admits that GNI per capita does not comprehensively represent development or welfare, but it is a readily available and useful indicator correlated with non-monetary quality-of-life measures like life expectancy and education rates.
Developed countries like Canada, the US, and Western European nations are at the top of the income scale.
Many Sub-Saharan African countries and some Asian and Latin American countries are in the lowest income tier.

Human Development Index (HDI)

Maps countries into four categories: very high, high, medium, and low human development levels.
Data is not available for six countries including North Korea and Somalia.
African countries generally have the lowest HDI scores.
The HDI has a maximum value of 1.000 and a minimum of 0.000.
Norway has an HDI of 0.957, indicating a 4.3% shortfall from maximum human development.
Niger has an HDI of 0.394, representing a 60.6% shortfall from maximum human development.
Although a general relationship exists between economic prosperity and human development, it is not a direct link.
Most countries have reduced their human development shortfalls over time.
The global average HDI has increased, with most countries showing moderate improvements.

Explaining Global Inequalities

The idea that differences in human potential (races) explain global development disparities is incorrect.
This idea has been prevalent since the 19th century.

Explaining Food Shortages

Overpopulation is often cited as a cause of food shortages, but evidence suggests that it is not a primary driver.
Densely populated countries may not be overpopulated.
China has transitioned from experiencing regular famines with a population of 0.5 billion to being essentially famine-free with a population of nearly 1.4 billion.
Available supplies are often not distributed effectively due to factors other than infrastructure.
Physical or human circumstances like droughts, floods, and wars can worsen food shortages.
These circumstances are not root causes of food shortages, but aggravating factors.

Political and Economic Explanations for Food Shortages

Recent explanations of the food problem focus on political and economic factors.
The world systems perspective suggests that global political arrangements make it difficult for many in the less developed world to grow their own food.

Governance and Food Shortages

Poor governance is linked to food shortages.
Governance score measures six dimensions: voice and accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.
Scores below zero indicate poor governance; scores above zero indicate better governance.

Food Aid

Food aid provided by developed countries is helpful but not a solution to famine.
The root cause of famine is often political, which food aid cannot address.
Food aid can be directed to urban areas despite greater need in rural areas.
Most donated food goes to governments who often sell it for profit.
Food aid can depress food prices in receiving countries, decreasing local crop production and increasing dependency.
Ineffective distribution of food aid can occur due to inadequate transport or control by undemocratic governments.
In 2006, Eritrea expelled charities during a drought and food shortage to attract international attention to its border dispute with Ethiopia.
A 2006 report by a children's charity revealed that humanitarian workers and peacekeeping soldiers in Liberia were exchanging food aid for sex with young girls.
During the 2011 famine in Somalia, militias controlling parts of the country prevented food aid from reaching those in need.
It has been said that foreign aid essentially transfers money from the poor in rich countries to the wealthy in poor countries.

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Description

Explore the complex social and economic dynamics in Ethiopia, focusing on the challenges faced by rural communities and indigenous tribes in the Omo River Valley. This quiz addresses education, healthcare disparities, and the impact of government projects on traditional lifestyles. Learn about the ongoing conflicts over water rights and development in this diverse nation.