1. Topic 8: Arguments for sustainable development- Underdevelopment is caused by unfair terms of trade imposed by the west in collaboration with local leaders in developing countries…

Define unfair terms of trade

Imbalances in the exchange of goods and services between developed and developing nations

What forms do Western collaboration with local leaders take?

Preferential trade agreements, loan conditionality, and political support

Describe the exploitation of African sources by Europe

Historically, European colonial powers plundered African resources (minerals, cobalt, rubber, coffee) leaving behind a legacy of resource dependency

Statistics on African resource dependancy

According to the UN Council for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 economic development in Africa report, 83% of African countries are dependent on commodity exports

What does commodity dependence mean?

Means African countries are hugely vulnerable to global trade agreements and price shocks

What was the debt crisis in Latin America?

In the 1980s, debt levels in Latin American increased by more than 1000%, foreign debt exceeded earning power

Who is the South Korean Economist on this topic?

Ha-Joon Chang

What is the name of Chang’s book and what does he say about underdevelopment

Book- “Bad Samaritans”

• by forcing free market, free trade policies on developing nations, that wealthy countries are “kicking away the ladder”

Who are the two key thinkers for this DEQ?

Andre Gunter Frank and Vandana Shiva

What are Frank’s points on the topic?

• Dependancy theory

• Colonialism and neo-colonialism

What are Shiva’s views?

According to “earth democracy”

• Unfair trade practices have a huge impact on local industry and sustainable development