It is apparent that countries exhibit differences in wealth. This is some nations are considered as rich, whereas other are said to be poor. From an economic lens, it seems easier for someone to distinguish rich countries from poor ones based on the quantity of resources that are available to a given society. However, it is relatively difficult to identify in-depth information about income distribution among social groups, resources utilization and the trends of production and consumption within a given country or region (Acemoglu & Robinson, 2012). These parameters can only be determined through the use of a ‘development gauge.’ Therefore, this paper will provide a precise description of ‘development’ and attempt to explain why Africa has lagged behind other continents and regions in development.
Table of Contents
- Why Africa Has Lagged Behind Other Continents and Regions in Development
- Defining Development: Economic Growth and Human Development
- Sustainable Development: Balancing Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors
- Measuring Development: Economic Growth and Human Development Indicators
- Africa's Lagging Development: Challenges in Economic and Human Development
- Explaining Africa's Lagging Development: Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to define "development" and explain why Africa has lagged behind other continents and regions. It explores the interplay between economic growth and human development, examines the concept of sustainable development, and analyzes factors contributing to Africa's underdevelopment.
- Defining development as the interplay of economic growth and human development
- The concept of sustainable development and its three key components
- Measurement of development using economic growth and human development indicators
- Challenges faced by African countries hindering economic growth and human development
- The role of Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory in explaining Africa's underdevelopment
Chapter Summaries
Why Africa Has Lagged Behind Other Continents and Regions in Development: This introductory chapter establishes the disparity in wealth between nations and introduces the concept of "development" as a complex interplay between economic growth and human development. It highlights the difficulty in assessing development solely based on resource availability and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive gauge, setting the stage for the subsequent exploration of Africa's lagging development.
Defining Development: Economic Growth and Human Development: This chapter defines development as the interaction between economic growth and human development, emphasizing that quality of life isn't solely determined by average income. It discusses factors contributing to quality of life such as healthcare access, education, safety, and employment, explaining how these factors differentiate developed and developing countries despite similar average incomes. This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the multifaceted nature of development and the importance of considering both economic and social progress.
Sustainable Development: Balancing Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors: This chapter introduces the concept of sustainable development, defining it as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. It emphasizes the balance between environmental, economic, and social factors, highlighting that each country's values influence the relative importance of these factors. The chapter further details specific economic, social, and environmental objectives that contribute to sustainable development, painting a picture of holistic progress that considers the long-term implications of development policies.
Measuring Development: Economic Growth and Human Development Indicators: This chapter delves into the methods used to measure development, differentiating between economic growth (measured by human capital and its utilization) and human development (measured by indicators like democracy, education, health, and employment). It introduces the Human Development Index (HDI) used by the UNDP to rank countries based on their development levels, providing examples of high and low HDI countries and highlighting the geographical localization of wealth disparities.
Africa's Lagging Development: Challenges in Economic and Human Development: This chapter directly addresses Africa's lagging development, citing statistics highlighting the disproportionate number of low HDI countries located in Africa. It discusses the significant challenges faced by African nations in achieving economic growth and human development, attributing these challenges to unreliable economic policies, poor human capital development, and unsustainable development approaches.
Explaining Africa's Lagging Development: Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory: This chapter analyzes the reasons behind Africa's underdevelopment using two theoretical frameworks: Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory. It contrasts the economic policies adopted by developed nations, often aligning with dependency theory's principles, with those of African countries, which have often missed the benefits of these theories. The chapter also explores the missed opportunities presented by the World-Systems Theory during the post-colonial era, contrasting Africa's experience with the remarkable development of East Asian nations.
Keywords
Development, economic growth, human development, sustainable development, Africa, underdevelopment, dependency theory, world-systems theory, human development index (HDI), economic policy, social development, environmental sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the focus of this language preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of a document examining why Africa has lagged behind other continents and regions in development. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the document's table of contents?
The table of contents covers: Why Africa Has Lagged Behind; Defining Development (economic growth and human development); Sustainable Development; Measuring Development; Africa's Lagging Development; and Explaining Africa's Lagging Development (Dependency and World-Systems Theories).
What are the main objectives and key themes?
The document aims to define "development," explain Africa's lagging development, explore the interplay between economic growth and human development, examine sustainable development, and analyze factors contributing to Africa's underdevelopment. Key themes include defining development, sustainable development's three components, measuring development, challenges hindering African development, and the roles of Dependency and World-Systems Theories.
What is covered in each chapter summary?
Each chapter summary provides a concise overview of its respective chapter. The summaries detail the introduction of development concepts, the multifaceted nature of development (economic and social progress), sustainable development's balance of economic, social, and environmental factors, methods for measuring development (including the Human Development Index), challenges faced by African nations, and explanations of underdevelopment through Dependency and World-Systems Theories.
What are the key challenges facing African development as discussed in the preview?
The preview highlights unreliable economic policies, poor human capital development, and unsustainable development approaches as significant challenges hindering economic growth and human development in Africa.
How does the document explain Africa's lagging development?
The document uses Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory to analyze the reasons behind Africa's underdevelopment, comparing economic policies of developed and African nations and exploring missed opportunities in the post-colonial era.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include: Development, economic growth, human development, sustainable development, Africa, underdevelopment, dependency theory, world-systems theory, human development index (HDI), economic policy, social development, and environmental sustainability.
What is the intended audience for this language preview?
The preview is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
What is the definition of "development" as presented in this preview?
Development is defined as the complex interplay between economic growth and human development. It is not solely based on resource availability or average income, but also incorporates factors like healthcare, education, safety, and employment.
What is sustainable development, according to this preview?
Sustainable development is defined as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It emphasizes balancing environmental, economic, and social factors.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Caroline Mutuku (Autor:in), 2018, Why Africa Has Lagged Behind Other Continents and Regions in Development, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/432506
