Question 1

Over the years,how have political scientists viewed the relationship between democracy and political development?

Accepted Answer

Over time, political scientists have increasingly viewed democracy as a characteristic of political development. While there have been some who have argued that authoritarianism can also lead to political development, the prevailing view has been that democracy provides a foundation for sustainable and inclusive development. This shift in thinking can be attributed to a number of factors, including the spread of democracy around the world and the emergence of empirical data showing that democratic countries tend to have higher levels of human development and economic prosperity.

Question 2

Conflict theory,a branch of modernization theory,focuses on

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory focuses on the conflict between different goals of modernization, such as economic development versus traditional cultural values or political modernization versus authoritarian rule. It is not specifically about political conflicts or the interests of different nations, although these may be factors in the conflicts that arise. It is also not solely about increasing political instability or the conflict between economic and social development.

Question 3

In what way did Fernando Henrique Cardoso's version of dependency theory differ from the earlier versions of that theory?

Accepted Answer

Fernando Henrique Cardoso's version of dependency theory argued that in some developing nations foreign investment helps create dependent development. This idea differed from earlier versions of the theory, which viewed foreign investment as exacerbating the dependency of less developed countries on more developed ones. Cardoso also emphasized the importance of the state in managing this kind of development.

Question 4

A number of Sub-Saharan African countries have experienced sharp declines in life expectancy since the 1970s.What has been the major cause of that decline?

Accepted Answer

The spread of HIV/AIDS has been the major cause of sharp declines in life expectancy in Sub-Saharan African countries since the 1970s. The region has been disproportionately affected by the epidemic, with the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the world. HIV/AIDS has had a major impact on public health, social welfare, and economic development in these countries.

Question 5

What was a major contribution of dependency theory?

Accepted Answer

Dependency theory highlighted the role of external factors, such as international trade and unequal power relationships, in shaping the economic and social conditions of developing countries. This challenged traditional economic theories that focused solely on internal factors and domestic policies as the drivers of development.

Question 6

According to Samuel Huntington,as countries become more economically developed

Accepted Answer

Huntington's theory suggests that as countries begin to develop economically, they may initially experience instability due to rapid social changes and heightened expectations. However, as they continue to develop and adapt, they tend to become more politically stable. This is because economic development often leads to the creation of stronger institutions and a middle class that demands more political stability.

Question 7

Which of the following regions experienced slow or even negative economic growth during most of the final decades of the twentieth century,but has enjoyed rapid growth in the past decade?

Accepted Answer

Sub-Saharan Africa experienced slow or even negative economic growth during most of the final decades of the twentieth century due to various factors including political instability, poor governance, and external debt crises. However, in the past decade, many countries in the region have seen rapid economic growth, driven by factors such as improved governance, economic reforms, increased foreign investment, and a commodities boom.

Question 8

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the pattern of income distribution within Third World and First World nations?

Accepted Answer

Income distribution varies greatly within and between countries of both the First and Third World, with some countries having extremely high levels of income inequality. While there is some evidence to suggest that income is more concentrated in First World countries, this is not a universal pattern and there are numerous exceptions. Similarly, while some Third World countries have more even income distribution, this is not a universal pattern either. Therefore, D is the most accurate statement.

Question 9

Countries are defined as underdeveloped only if

Accepted Answer

Underdeveloped countries can have some aspects of economic, political, or social underdevelopment, but not necessarily all three. The term "underdeveloped" refers to a lack of progress or advancement, which can be seen in various areas of a country's development.

Question 10

Which of the following economic or social indicators offers the most accurate indication of the quality of life in a particular developing nation?

Accepted Answer

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite indicator that measures a country's achievements in three dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. It therefore provides a more holistic picture of a country's quality of life compared to the other indicators listed, which focus more narrowly on economic or social factors.

Question 11

Comparisons between modernization and dependency theory reveal that

Accepted Answer

Dependency theory is often criticized for its economic determinism, as it emphasizes the role of economic structures and relationships in shaping the development of countries, often at the expense of considering other social, political, and cultural factors.

Question 12

One of the major weaknesses of early dependency theory was that

Accepted Answer

Early dependency theory was criticized for being overly pessimistic about the prospects for development in Third World countries, suggesting that these countries were trapped in a cycle of dependency on more developed nations that hindered their progress.

Question 13

In order to significantly increase their life expectancy,countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (including India and Pakistan)will have to concentrate most on

Accepted Answer

Reducing infant mortality is crucial because it directly impacts life expectancy. High infant mortality rates significantly lower the average life expectancy, so addressing this issue can lead to substantial improvements.

Question 14

Which of the following terms is NOT used by political scientists or economists as an alternative to the term Third World countries?

Accepted Answer

"Poor countries" is not commonly used by political scientists or economists as an alternative to the term Third World countries, while the other options are all commonly used.

Question 15

What did modernization theorists feel was the major cause of Third World underdevelopment?

Accepted Answer

Modernization theorists believed that traditional values and customs in Third World societies were the major cause of underdevelopment. They argued that modernization and westernization were necessary for economic growth and development.

Question 16

One of the major weaknesses of early modernization theory was that

Accepted Answer

Early modernization theory was overly optimistic about the capacity of developing countries to achieve modernization, often underestimating the complexities and challenges involved in the process.

Question 17

The term "Third World" was coined to encompass developing nations

Accepted Answer

The term "Third World" was originally used during the Cold War to refer to countries that were not aligned with either the capitalist First World or the communist Second World. Therefore, the term was coined to differentiate these developing countries from both Western democracies and former communist countries, rather than solely to highlight their poverty or economic development.

Question 18

Which of the following developing regions has the most concentrated income distribution?

Accepted Answer

Latin America is known for having one of the most concentrated income distributions in the world, with a relatively small portion of the population controlling a majority of the wealth. In contrast, other developing regions, such as Asia and Africa, have more diverse income distributions. The Middle East and North Africa have varying levels of income inequality depending on the specific country.

Question 19

Which type of underdevelopment has most frequently been defined in subjective,western terms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of underdevelopment has most frequently...

Question 20

Dependentistas believe that underdevelopment is caused by

Accepted Answer

Dependentistas believe that underdevelopment is caused by the exploitation by economically advanced countries. They perceive the international economic system as being dominated by developed countries, who use their power to maintain their dominant position by exploiting and manipulating the economies of less developed countries.

Quiz 1: Understanding Underdevelopment