4.10 Measuring the success of geopolitical interventions

What have been the cause of most improvements to global development?

Geopolitical interventions, which are the actions of governments, IGOs and NGOs to bring about intended changes

What data can measure improvements in areas of human development?

• health, which includes life expectancy and infant mortality

• educational indicators, including literacy and length of schooling

• wealth, including GDP per capita

Give three factors that make measuring the success of development aid difficult.

• there may be disagreements about how ‘success’ is defined

• there may be limited ability to monitor or collect accurate data

• many interventions span years, so they are subject to changing governments and circumstances

What are ‘softer’ indicators of the success of development aid?

Freedom of speech, gender equality and the perceived state of a country’s democracy

What are the benefits of moving from a dictatorship to a democracy?

It often leads to other changes, including economic growth and the advancement of women’s rights and well-being. It can also bring about political and social stability, and makes it easier to forge military and economic ties with other countries

What does democracy aid focus on?

Supporting crucial processes and institutions, strengthening and reforming government institutions, and supporting civil society

What does the right to freedom of expression encompass?

The rights to speak and write openly, protest against injustice, and criticise a government and its leaders

Has evidence suggested that democracy aid has been successful?

Yes - 36 out of 57 countries that became democracies between 1980 and 1995 received democracy aid from the USA

What is China’s overseas aid policy based on?

‘Eight Principles for Economic and Technical Assistance’, and its aid is mainly focused on economic development (e.g. its investment in many African countries)

What can hinder economic growth in developing nations?

They may lack the financial or legal expertise, or infrastructure, to compete effectively in global markets

What is ‘aid for trade’?

A WTO initiative to increase trade from developing countries by developing trade strategies, negotiating better trade deals and building infrastructure