AS

IDS Lecture 10/13

Position Paper Guidelines

  • Question Posed: Should the US resume its role as a global leader?
    • Responses Possibilities:
    • Yes
    • No
    • It depends
    • Emphasis on the need for a defensible position, supporting the chosen answer with evidence.

Paper Writing Requirements

  • Format:
    • Maximum of four typed pages
    • Double spaced, Times New Roman font
    • 250 words per page, maximum of 1000 words
  • Content:
    • Complete sentences; no bullet points allowed
    • Consideration for oral presentation; aims for clarity and effective communication.

Source Citation Standards

  • Text Requirements:
    • Must use at least two required texts appropriately cited.
    • Incorrect citation negates the source's validity.
  • Stylistic Guidelines:
    • Recommended use of the ASA (American Sociological Association) style guide.
    • In-text citations format: (Author Year Page Number)
    • Must include a bibliography of all cited works in one consistent format.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Focus on Distinct Argument:
    • Expectation for a personal point of view that can be supported orally.
    • Avoid using personal pronouns (e.g., “I” or “we”).
    • Excellent papers connect ideas across readings and lectures, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding.

Working Sessions and Deadlines

  • Paper Submission:
    • Deadline for draft submission: October 20, Monday, by 5 PM.
    • Working sessions will occur to practice and refine essays.
  • Presentation Opportunity:
    • Selected students will present key points in class.
    • Self-nomination is permitted.
    • Each presenter allotted 8 minutes for presentation without slides, focusing strictly on script and oral delivery.

Audience Considerations

  • Understanding the Audience:
    • Targeted audience is peers in the class.
    • Tone must be clear, engaging, and appropriate for an academic yet conversational setting.
  • Engagement Techniques:
    • Use anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, or vivid imagery to establish connection.
    • Aim to spark discussions while backing arguments with solid evidence.

Writing Structure Recommendations

  • Storytelling Approach:
    • Begin with a hook to captivate the audience.
    • Establish a personal connection to the topic or your rationale for writing.
    • Provide substantive examples that support your argument, ideally with a fresh take on the issue.
    • Conclude by challenging the audience to consider future possibilities or solutions.
    • Emphasize that effective writing is rooted in clear thinking; the process often leads to unexpected insights.

Tone and Style Guidance

  • Desired Tone:
    • Aim for clarity and accessibility rather than overly technical jargon.
    • Presenting ideas as if in an op-ed format allows for a compelling expression of your views.
  • Avoiding Academic Jargon:
    • Clear language is crucial; ensure concepts are defined plainly without unnecessary references to academic figures unless explained.
    • Balance thoroughness with readability to maintain audience engagement.

World Bank and Development Models

  • Overview of the World Bank's Evolution:
    • Transitioned from the conservative infrastructure lender post-World War II to becoming a major player in global development financing.
    • Under leadership figures like Robert McNamara, it focused on integrating financial expertise into development policies.
  • Financial Strategies:
    • Usage of bonds to attract private capital for loans to developing countries, primarily focused on infrastructure projects, with adaptability to other forms depending on market conditions.

Risks in Financialized Development

  • Deficit Ideologies:
    • Operating on a deficit can lead to reliance on loans instead of solid capital, raising concerns about sustainable development.
  • Expertise and Accountability:
    • Critique of the top-down approach, where external expertise offered by bodies such as the World Bank may not address local needs or contexts appropriately.

Microfinance Contextualization

  • Financial Inclusion vs. Risks:
    • While financial inclusion aims to integrate marginalized groups into capital markets, this integration can introduce risks, including debt dependency.
    • Examination of microfinance's role in both empowerment and potential predatory practices, where borrowers may face high-interest rates and unmanageable debts.
    • Notion that access to credit does not guarantee sustainable economic improvement.

Historical Context of Development Practices

  • Evolution of Development Definitions:
    • Shifts from state-led industrialization in the mid-20th century to neoliberal approaches emphasizing market-led growth.
    • Importance of understanding past practices such as structural adjustment and how they inform the current development landscape.
  • Neoliberalism Defined:
    • Characterized by prioritizing free market principles over state intervention, suggesting that market operations are inherently more effective for economic well-being.

Conclusion on Development Practices

  • Continual Evolution:
    • Understanding the frameworks of financialized development is crucial to critique modern practices, ensuring they don't replicate past failures while aiming for genuine progress.
  • Call to action for critical evaluations of current development schemes using contextual insights from historical policies.