Question 1

Which of the following is not often thought of as a key aspect of development?

Accepted Answer

Civility is not typically considered a key aspect of development, which usually focuses on economic growth, reducing poverty, and sustainability.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about poverty is true?

Accepted Answer

There is no universal agreement on how to conceptualize or operationalize poverty, as it can be defined and measured in various ways depending on the context and criteria used.

Question 3

Which of the following is true about social scientists' attitudes towards happiness?

Accepted Answer

Social scientists are increasingly interested in studying the factors that contribute to happiness, using empirical methods to understand its determinants.

Question 4

Which of the following scholars argues that environmental/geographical differences account for a good deal of the difference in development outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Jared Diamond is known for his work on how environmental and geographical factors have influenced the development of human societies, particularly in his book "Guns, Germs, and Steel."

Question 5

Which of the following scholars argues that religious differences amount for a good deal of the difference in development outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber argued that religious differences, particularly the Protestant ethic, played a significant role in the development of capitalism and economic outcomes in Western societies.

Question 6

The argument that property rights influence development might be considered which of the following type of theory?

Accepted Answer

New institutionalism emphasizes the role of institutions, including property rights, in shaping economic outcomes and development.

Question 7

Which of the following is true about religious differences explaining development differences?

Accepted Answer

The degree of religiosity, or how intensely religion is practiced, can have a more significant impact on development than the specific type of religion itself. This is because the intensity of religious practice can influence social norms, work ethics, and community engagement, which in turn affect economic and social development.

Question 8

The most common measurement of a country's development is its:

Accepted Answer

GDP per capita growth is a widely used indicator to measure a country's economic development and standard of living.

Question 9

About how many people are estimated to be in absolute poverty worldwide?

Accepted Answer

As of recent estimates, around 1 billion people are considered to be living in absolute poverty worldwide, which is defined as living on less than $1.90 a day.

Question 10

Tocqueville and Fukuyama attribute these three societal characteristics to economic prosperity:

Accepted Answer

Tocqueville and Fukuyama emphasize the importance of civil society, social capital, and trust as foundational elements that contribute to economic prosperity by fostering cooperation and reducing transaction costs in society.

Question 11

The Human Development Index (HDI) gives a broad view of development and well-being by measuring:

Accepted Answer

The Human Development Index (HDI) measures development by considering income (GNI per capita), life expectancy, and educational attainment (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling).

Question 12

Referring to the link between gender and development, which of the following countries would be considered the least developed?

Accepted Answer

India, among the options listed, faces significant challenges in terms of gender equality and development indicators, making it less developed compared to the other countries mentioned.

Question 13

Which of the following is false about South Africa under apartheid?

Accepted Answer

South Africa, despite the inequalities and oppressive apartheid regime, had higher average social indicators compared to many other African countries due to its relatively developed economy and infrastructure.

Question 14

Which of the following countries would offer the clearest illustration of the resource curse phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Nigeria is a classic example of the resource curse, where despite having abundant natural resources, particularly oil, it has faced economic challenges, corruption, and poor governance.

Question 15

Life expectancy, infant mortality, literacy, and HDI rank are all useful tools to measure:

Accepted Answer

These indicators are used to measure human capital, which refers to the economic value of a population's skill set and health.

Question 16

Which aspect of development specifically considers a country's long-term access to resources?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability focuses on ensuring that a country can maintain its resources and environment for future generations, addressing long-term access to resources.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Proponents of market-led development typically value a state that can enforce contracts to ensure market efficiency. Similarly, proponents of state-led development often recognize that free markets can contribute positively to economic growth.

Question 18

The World Bank is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to developing countries for economic development.

Question 19

Which of the following is the metaphor Kohli uses to describe how states and private actors interact when development fails/succeeds?

Accepted Answer

Kohli uses the metaphor of "two horses pulling a chariot" to describe how states and private actors can either work together effectively (pulling in the same direction) or work against each other (pulling in opposite directions) in the context of development success or failure.

Question 20

A country develops by providing large stimulus packages to the economy. The country continues to do so because the economy has become dependent on it. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Historical institutionalism explains how institutions evolve over time and how past decisions can create path dependencies, leading to continued reliance on certain policies like stimulus packages.

Quiz 5: Development