Global Politics, Economics, and Colonialism Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about global politics, economics, reasons for wealth disparities, and an essay on colonialism.

Political Issue

A situation or topic the government is involved in or that affects power and decisions.

Political Actor

A person, group, or organization that influences or participates in politics.

Examples of Political Actors

Government, armed groups (like Hamas), and international mediators.

Political Issues in Israel-Gaza conflict

Ceasefire/truce, hostage exchange, Israeli withdrawal, future governance of Gaza.

Political Actors in Israel-Gaza conflict

Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Bias in the Israel-Gaza Article

Shows both sides but lacks official Israeli quotes, possibly leaning toward Palestinian sources.

Factors affecting markets

Supply and demand, consumer trends, government policy.

Government policy affecting markets (example)

A tax on cigarettes can make them more expensive and reduce demand.

Factors affecting a country's economy

Natural resources, education, and colonial history.

Country hurt by natural resource overdependence (example)

Nigeria (due to "Dutch disease" from oil exports).

Jared Diamond’s theory

Geography helps countries develop if they have good farmland, rivers, and animals to domesticate.

"Dutch disease"

When one resource (like oil) dominates a country’s economy and hurts other industries.

Acemoglu and Robinson's cause of poverty

Weak or extractive institutions that limit opportunity and block innovation.

Walter Rodney's view on colonialism

Colonizers extracted resources and left colonies with weak economies.

Max Weber's view on culture

Hard work, discipline, and education helped some cultures grow rich.

Dependency theory

Poor countries stay poor by exporting cheap goods and importing expensive ones from rich countries.

Amartya Sen's key to development

Investing in education, health, and freedoms (human capital).

Essay Thesis

Some countries are poorer today because of the systems created by their colonizers.

How colonizers harmed colonized countries

They extracted resources and set up systems that benefited themselves, not local people.

India before colonization

A strong economy with cloth, spices, and trade; had its own industries and education systems.

British actions affecting India’s economy

Took raw materials, hurt local industries, and built systems that helped Britain.

Long-term effects of colonization in India

Progress has been made, but problems like poverty and weak infrastructure remain.