Third World Patterns

Presented by: Adeesha Hack

January 20,1999

Purpose of this Presentation

Democracy Inequality Economic growth Religious beliefs Political system

Exploring different theories

Theory #1

Economic growth is positively related to democracy

Category NLEAST DEV. (42)

DEVELOPING (75)

INDUSTRIAL (50)Missing Data ( 7)

ECON DEVEL -- LEVEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HDR, 1998)

Rising economic growth

Africa– CAF $4.9b; Nigeria $5.7b; Togo $14.6b; Egypt

$8b; Kenya $4b S. Asia

– India $47.4b; Bangladesh $10.8b Latin America

– Argentina $18.4b; Mexico $32.3b; Columbia $19.5b

Values N1 To 1 (30)2 To 3 (37)4 To 4 (21)5 To 6 (46)7 To 7 (37)

Missing Data ( 3)

DEMOCRACY -- EXTENT OF INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL FREEDOM: 7 = MOST DEMOCRATIC

Democracy in the South

Most democratic nations:– Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Malta (7)– Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana,

Panama, Venezuela (6) Least democratic nations:

– Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda (1)

Is economic growth linked to democracy?Rating 1 (least democratic) to 7 (most democratic)

Bangladesh, Argentina (6) CAF, Columbia (5) India, Mexico (4) Egypt, Togo, Kenya (2) Nigeria (1)

Theory #2

Income inequality has an impact on democracy over time

That is, as a developing nation initially experiences economic growth, inequality rises and democracy becomes unstable

Measuring Income InequalityGINI index

What does the GINI index measure?- wealth gap- published annually in World Development Report (WB)

Is there a link between democracy, growth and inequality?

Taking a closer look (1999)

Most unequal nations:50-60%

Brazil

South Africa

Columbia

Panama

Zimbabwe

Chile

Honduras

Guatemala

Niger

Most equal nations:28-32%

Bangladesh

Rwanda

India

Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Egypt

Ghana

* Points of Reference: Canada 31.5%; Sweden 25%; USA 40%

Take note

Country GNP (b$)GNP

(capita)Democracy GINI

Niger 1.9 (1.1%) 190 (4.3%) 5 50.5%

India 421.3 (6%) 430 (4.2%) 4 29.7

Egypt 79.2 (5.1%) 1290 (3.3%) 2 32%

Ghana 122.9 (4.6%) 390 (1.9%) 3 32.7%

Brazil 758 (0%)4570

(-1.4%)6 60.1%

Canada 612.2 (6.1%)20,0020(5.1%)

7 31.5%

Theory #3

There are only 2 ways a nation’s economic growth can have a positive impact on democracy.

1) political culture (ie education)

2) social structure is altered

Education vs. Democacy

Country GNP (b$)GNP

(capita)Democracy GINI

Educat.Spending

Niger 1.9 (1.1%) 190 (4.3%) 5 50.5% 3.1%

India 421.3 (6%) 430 (4.2%) 4 29.7 3.4%

Egypt79.2

(5.1%)1290

(3.3%)2 32% 4.8%

Ghana122.9(4.6%)

390 (1.9%) 3 32.7% 3.1%

Brazil 758 (0%)4570

(-1.4%)6 60.1% 5.5%

Canada612.2(6.1%)

20,0020(5.1%)

7 31.5% 7.0%

Also...

CountryEducationSpending

Democracy

Nigeria 0.9% 1

Myanmar 1.2% 1

Madagascar 1.9% 6

Burkina Faso 1.5% 3

Theory #4

Religion plays a part in democratic development. Specifically, Islamic nations are adverse to democracy. (Huntington)

Islam and Democracy

7.0 (none)

6.0 Bangladesh

5.0 Algeria, Pakistan

4.0 Jordan, Comoros

3.0 Morocco, Iran

2.0 Maldives, Oman

1.0 Brunei, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania

In conclusion

Lipset: relationship between democracy and economic development

Dahl: economic development and other factors increase democracy

Huntington: economic development and political leadership increase democracy

More theories

Theory #5

Economic growth does not necessarily improve living conditions.

A Look at Africa - HDI & GDP/capita

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Bots

wana

Gabon

Mauritiu

s

Nam

ibia

Seychelles

Sw

aziland

Botswana .652

Gabon .562

Mauritius .831

Namibia .570

Seychelles .845

Swaziland .582

Atlas $

Good society: wealthy, just, democratic, orderly, control of affairs

Backward society: poor, inequitable, repressive, violent & dependent

Theory #6

Compatibility. A society could and has to make progress towards all goals simultaneously. They are supportive of each other.

Locomotive Train Theory

Liberal: economic growth first

Marxist: equity first

Dependency: break chain of independence first

In Conclusion...

What does this all mean?