The articles on this page explore the seven theories of poverty and development that you study. As you read the articles, use the summary sheet below to organise your ideas about what the theory says, any linked case studies, how it attempts to explain poverty and/or guide development and the drawbacks of the theory.
The articles are divided into sections for each theory:
Resource Curse of the South
Article: Mutahi, B. & Mudibo, Z. (2021, January 27) Africa's free-trade area: What difference will it make? Retrieved from BBC News, Nairobi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55334345
The BBC is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
Article with video: Tran, M. (2012, October 25) Are natural resources a blessing or a curse for developing countries? Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2012/oct/25/natural-resources-blessing-curse-developing-countries
The Guardian is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated MIXED for factual reporting (03/21).
North-South Divide
Factsheet: Royal Geographical Society with IBG. (n.d.) A 60 second guide to the Global North/South Divide. Retrieved from Royal Geographical Society: https://www.rgs.org/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=9c1ce781-9117-4741-af0a-a6a8b75f32b4&lang=en-GB
The Royal Geographical Society is a UK professional body with resources aimed at schools and can be regarded as a reasonably unbiased source.
Five Fastest Growing Economies
Article: Bajpai, P. (2020, October 16) The five fastest growing economies in the World. Retrieved from Nasdaq: https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-five-fastest-growing-economies-in-the-world-2020-10-16
Nasdaq is one of the world's leading stock exchanges and can be regarded as a reasonably reliable source of financial information.
The IMF
Article: Master, J. & Chaztky, A. (2020, August 20) The IMF: The World’s Controversial Financial Firefighter. Retrieved from Council on Foreign Relations:https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/imf-worlds-controversial-financial-firefighter
The Council on Foreign Relations is a "nonprofit, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs" described as a LEAST BIASED source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
The World Bank
Article: Master, J. & Chaztky, A. (2019, April 9) The World Bank Group's role in Global development. Retrieved from Council on Foreign Relations:https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/world-bank-groups-role-global-development
The Council on Foreign Relations is a "nonprofit, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs" described as a LEAST BIASED source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
The damage done by neoliberalism
Article: Stone, J. (2016, May 27) Neoliberalism is increasing inequality and stunting economic growth, IMF says. Retrieved from The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/neoliberalism-increasing-inequality-and-stunting-economic-growth-imf-says-a7052416.html
The Independent is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated MIXED for factual reporting (03/21).
Asian Tigers
Video: Matt [ValiWorld] (2020, April 4) Economic Growth Miracle | The Four Asian Tigers | State Saturday. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IzrlG6ftxg
ValiWorld is a very small channel with just 35 subscribers, run by 'Matt and Phil'. With no way to tell who they are or what their credentials are, this site should be treated with care and any claims verified elsewhere. However, on this occasion, this video has been recommended by Mr Farrar, who has considerable expertise and experience of this topic, so it is reasonable to assume that the content is accurate. However, this video should not be directly cited in academic work.
The Failings of Liberal Modernisation Theory
Article: Dunn, T. M. (2013, June 26) The failings of liberal Modernisation Theory. Retrieved from E-International Relations: https://www.e-ir.info/2013/06/26/the-failings-of-liberal-modernisation-theory/
E-International Relations is a reputable academic source but states for this article: "This content was originally written for an undergraduate or Master's program. It is published as part of our mission to showcase peer-leading papers written by students during their studies. This work can be used for background reading and research, but should not be cited as an expert source or used in place of scholarly articles/books."
The Wealth of Africa
Article: Monks, K. (2018, January 2) Why the wealth of Africa does not make Africans wealthy. Retrieved from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/18/africa/looting-machine-tom-burgis-africa/index.html
CNN is a LEFT-BIASED source, rated MIXED for factual reporting, however articles are rated more highly for factual accuracy than the TV reporting (03/21).
Making iphones
Video: ABC News (2012, February 22) Foxconn: an exclusive inside look. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk-xqPKOxl4
ABC NEWS is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (08/23).
Congo
Video: Keane, F. [BBC News] (2018, December 21) DR Congo's journey into chaos. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8di7d9jFPjU
The BBC is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
African Continental Free Trade Area
Article: Mutahi, B. & Mudibo, Z. (2021, January 27) Africa's free-trade area: What difference will it make? Retrieved from BBC News, Nairobi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55334345
The BBC is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Article: What is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank? (2016, June 24) Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-36606840
The BBC is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
China's Huge Investment
Article: China makes soft-power play for Africa. (2018, September 4) Retrieved from The Week: https://www.theweek.co.uk/96230/china-makes-soft-power-play-for-africa
The Week is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated HIGH for factual reporting (03/21).
Africa Becoming Dependent on China
Article: Chinese investment in Africa could create national economies 'entirely dependent on China', say experts. (2018, May 15) Retrieved from The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/china-africa-investment-dependent-economies-chinese-belt-road-a8352531.html
The Independent is a LEFT-CENTRE source, rated MIXED for factual reporting (03/21).
Use this document to organise your ideas. You only need one sheet for all the theories, but if you choose to print it out and fill it in by hand you might want to print on A3.
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