Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

Underdevelopment Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Home Return to Study Hints Random
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: Theories of Development and Underdevelopment: Historical Contexts and Critiques

Cheat Sheet:
Theories of Development and Underdevelopment: Historical Contexts and Critiques Study Guide

Conceptualizing Underdevelopment: Definitions and Historical Context

'Underdevelopment' in international development is solely an economic issue, primarily defined by a lack of industrialization.

Answer: False

Explanation: The concept of 'underdevelopment' is broadly defined as a comprehensive phenomenon encompassing various human development benchmarks, not solely economic factors. While Euro-centric discourse often narrowed it to an economic problem, critical analyses consider broader political and social contexts.

Return to Game

Common perceptions of 'underdeveloped' states include stable economies and robust public health systems.

Answer: False

Explanation: Common perceptions of 'underdeveloped' states typically include less stable economies and inadequate public health systems, among other challenges, rather than robust ones.

Return to Game

Walter Rodney's definition of underdevelopment includes a comparative aspect and a relationship of exploitation between countries.

Answer: True

Explanation: Walter Rodney explicitly defined underdevelopment as comprising a comparative aspect and a relationship of exploitation between nations, emphasizing power dynamics.

Return to Game

Critical studies trace the concepts of 'development' and 'underdevelopment' primarily to the post-World War II period, with no significant link to the colonial era.

Answer: False

Explanation: Critical development and postcolonial studies trace the concepts of 'development' and 'underdevelopment' to both the colonial era and, more commonly, the post-World War II period, indicating a significant link to colonial legacies.

Return to Game

Mexican activist Gustavo Esteva argued that 'underdevelopment' began in 1949 with President Harry Truman's inaugural address, which categorized two billion people as 'underdeveloped'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Gustavo Esteva indeed argued that the concept of 'underdevelopment' was formally initiated in 1949 with President Harry Truman's inaugural address, which 'discovered' mass poverty and categorized a significant portion of the global population as 'underdeveloped'.

Return to Game

The Euro-centric development discourse broadened the understanding of underdevelopment to include deep political and social contexts, such as colonial legacies.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Euro-centric development discourse typically narrowed the understanding of underdevelopment to an economic problem, often failing to address deeper political and social contexts like colonial legacies.

Return to Game

Walter Rodney argued that the decisive negative consequence of colonialism for Africa was primarily the loss of its natural resources.

Answer: False

Explanation: Walter Rodney argued that the decisive negative consequence of colonialism for Africa was primarily the loss of its *power*, which he considered the ultimate determinant in human society, rather than solely the loss of natural resources.

Return to Game

Walter Rodney's broader critique of 'underdevelopment' suggested that if it were not solely about comparing economies, the United States could be considered underdeveloped due to its internal and external issues.

Answer: True

Explanation: Walter Rodney's broader critique suggested that if 'underdevelopment' extended beyond economic comparisons, the United States could be considered highly underdeveloped due to its massive external oppression and internal exploitation, brutality, and psychiatric disorder.

Return to Game

The image of a slum in Kibera, Kenya, serves as a visual representation of the success of development initiatives in certain regions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The image of a slum in Kibera, Kenya, serves as a visual representation of widespread poverty and inadequate living conditions, which are common manifestations of underdevelopment, not successful development initiatives.

Return to Game

How is 'underdevelopment' broadly defined within the context of international development?

Answer: As a comprehensive phenomenon analyzed by scholars, differentiating nations based on human development benchmarks.

Explanation: In international development, 'underdevelopment' is broadly defined as a comprehensive condition or phenomenon that is critically analyzed by scholars, differentiating states based on various human development benchmarks.

Return to Game

Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic associated with 'underdeveloped' states according to popular perceptions?

Answer: Robust public health and education systems.

Explanation: Popular perceptions of 'underdeveloped' states typically include inadequate public health and education systems, not robust ones, alongside less stable economies, higher poverty, and widespread malnutrition.

Return to Game

According to Walter Rodney, what are the two fundamental components that constitute underdevelopment?

Answer: A comparative aspect and a relationship of exploitation.

Explanation: Walter Rodney posits that underdevelopment fundamentally comprises a comparative aspect, involving assessment against another country, and a relationship of exploitation between countries.

Return to Game

In critical development and postcolonial studies, the concepts of 'development' and 'underdevelopment' are most commonly traced back to which historical period?

Answer: The post-World War II period.

Explanation: While also linked to the colonial era, the concepts of 'development' and 'underdevelopment' are most commonly traced back to the post-World War II period in critical studies.

Return to Game

Mexican activist Gustavo Esteva contended that 'underdevelopment' commenced in 1949, specifically during which event?

Answer: American President Harry Truman's inaugural address.

Explanation: Gustavo Esteva argued that 'underdevelopment' began in 1949 with American President Harry Truman's inaugural address, which categorized two billion people as 'underdeveloped'.

Return to Game

How did the Euro-centric development discourse primarily narrow the issue of underdevelopment?

Answer: By equating development primarily with economic growth, making it an economic problem.

Explanation: The Euro-centric development discourse tended to narrow the issue of underdevelopment by equating development primarily with economic growth, thus framing it predominantly as an economic problem.

Return to Game

Walter Rodney argued that the decisive negative consequence of colonialism for Africa was primarily its:

Answer: Loss of political and economic power.

Explanation: Walter Rodney contended that the decisive negative consequence of colonialism for Africa was primarily its loss of power, which he considered crucial for defending interests and imposing will.

Return to Game

Walter Rodney's broader critique of 'underdevelopment' suggested that if the term were not solely about comparing economies, which country might be considered the most underdeveloped due to its internal and external issues?

Answer: The United States.

Explanation: Walter Rodney's broader critique suggested that if 'underdevelopment' extended beyond economic comparisons, the United States could be considered the most underdeveloped due to its massive external oppression and internal exploitation.

Return to Game

What does the image caption 'Slum in Kibera, Kenya (2010)' visually represent in the context of underdevelopment?

Answer: A common manifestation of widespread poverty and inadequate living conditions.

Explanation: The image of a slum in Kibera, Kenya, visually represents a common manifestation of underdevelopment, depicting widespread poverty and inadequate living conditions.

Return to Game

What did Walter Rodney argue was the ultimate determinant in human society, crucial for defending interests and imposing will?

Answer: Power.

Explanation: Walter Rodney argued that power is the ultimate determinant in human society, essential for defending interests and imposing will, and that its loss is a fundamental form of underdevelopment.

Return to Game

The Green Revolution: A Case Study in Development Intervention

The Green Revolution aimed to modernize agriculture by exporting an industrial model and initially provided food aid to alleviate hunger.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Green Revolution was indeed a global initiative to modernize agriculture by exporting an industrial model and initially provided food aid to address widespread hunger in postcolonial nations.

Return to Game

Food aid during the Green Revolution fostered self-sufficiency in recipient countries by encouraging local crop production.

Answer: False

Explanation: Food aid during the Green Revolution often led to dependency in recipient countries, as it required them to adopt the industrial agricultural model and often consisted of crops not grown locally, rather than fostering self-sufficiency.

Return to Game

The Green Revolution had a political motivation to combat the spread of communism, believing that hunger could incite peasant revolutions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Beyond its agricultural goals, the Green Revolution was strategically motivated to combat the spread of communism, as Western powers believed that addressing hunger could prevent peasant revolutions.

Return to Game

The industrial agricultural model promoted by the Green Revolution reduced costs for farmers, increasing their profits due to higher crop yields.

Answer: False

Explanation: The industrial agricultural model of the Green Revolution required costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, which often cut into farmers' profits despite increased crop yields, and created reliance on transnational corporations.

Return to Game

The Green Revolution ultimately exacerbated the poverty of vulnerable populations in underdeveloped countries despite increasing crop yields.

Answer: True

Explanation: Despite increasing crop yields, the Green Revolution led to land degradation and, in the long term, exacerbated the poverty of vulnerable populations in underdeveloped countries.

Return to Game

The Green Revolution's industrial agricultural model primarily benefited small-scale farmers by reducing their reliance on external inputs.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Green Revolution's industrial agricultural model required costly external inputs, increasing farmers' reliance on transnational corporations and often cutting into their profits, thus not primarily benefiting small-scale farmers by reducing reliance.

Return to Game

What was the initial aim of the Green Revolution regarding global agriculture?

Answer: To modernize the agricultural sector by exporting the industrial agricultural model and alleviate hunger.

Explanation: The Green Revolution was a global initiative aimed at modernizing agriculture by exporting the industrial agricultural model from developed countries and initially providing food aid to alleviate hunger.

Return to Game

How did food aid during the Green Revolution lead to dependency in recipient countries?

Answer: It required recipients to adopt the industrial model of agriculture, fostering reliance on foreign assistance and inputs.

Explanation: Food aid during the Green Revolution often came with conditions requiring recipient countries to adopt the industrial model of agriculture, leading to reliance on foreign assistance and inputs, rather than self-sufficiency.

Return to Game

Beyond agriculture, what political motivation was associated with the 'Green Revolution'?

Answer: To combat the 'Red,' or communist, revolution.

Explanation: The Green Revolution also served as a strategic tool to combat the spread of communism, as Western powers believed that alleviating hunger could prevent peasant revolutions.

Return to Game

What were the consequences for farmers due to the necessary inputs for the industrial agricultural model promoted by the Green Revolution?

Answer: Costly requirements that cut into profits and created reliance on transnational corporations.

Explanation: The industrial agricultural model of the Green Revolution required costly inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, which reduced farmers' profits and fostered reliance on transnational corporations.

Return to Game

What was a long-term impact of the Green Revolution on vulnerable populations in underdeveloped countries?

Answer: It exacerbated the poverty of vulnerable populations due to land degradation, despite increased crop yields.

Explanation: Despite increasing crop yields, the Green Revolution led to land degradation and ultimately exacerbated the poverty of vulnerable populations in underdeveloped countries.

Return to Game

Which of the following was a consequence of the Green Revolution's industrial agricultural model for dependent countries?

Answer: Reliance on transnational corporations for costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.

Explanation: The Green Revolution's industrial agricultural model led to increased reliance on transnational corporations for costly inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides in dependent countries.

Return to Game

Geographical Determinism in Development Theory

Adam Smith believed that a nation's prosperity was solely dependent on free markets, not geographical factors.

Answer: False

Explanation: Adam Smith, while advocating for free markets, also theorized that a nation's prosperity was significantly influenced by geographical factors, particularly easy access to sea trade via coastal geography.

Return to Game

Jeffrey Sachs and his team expanded on geographical explanations by linking underdevelopment to agricultural productivity and disease prevalence.

Answer: True

Explanation: Jeffrey Sachs and his collaborators indeed expanded the geographical explanation of underdevelopment by systematically linking it to factors such as agricultural productivity and the prevalence of diseases.

Return to Game

Jared Diamond proposed that the north-south alignment of Europe-Asia facilitated the diffusion of agricultural species, unlike the Americas and Africa.

Answer: False

Explanation: Jared Diamond argued that the *east-west* alignment of Europe-Asia facilitated the diffusion of agricultural species, while the *north-south* alignments of the Americas and Africa hindered such diffusion.

Return to Game

According to Adam Smith, what geographical factor significantly influenced a nation's prosperity, in addition to free markets?

Answer: Easy access to sea trade via coastal geography.

Explanation: Adam Smith theorized that a nation's prosperity was significantly influenced by coastal geography, providing easy access to sea trade, in addition to free markets.

Return to Game

Jeffrey Sachs and his collaborators expanded the geographical explanation of underdevelopment by including which additional factors?

Answer: Agricultural productivity and the prevalence of diseases.

Explanation: Jeffrey Sachs and his team expanded the geographical explanation of underdevelopment by demonstrating links to agricultural productivity and the prevalence of diseases.

Return to Game

What unique geographical factor did Jared Diamond propose as influencing development?

Answer: Continental alignment, specifically east-west versus north-south.

Explanation: Jared Diamond proposed that continental alignment, particularly the east-west orientation of Europe-Asia versus the north-south orientation of the Americas and Africa, significantly influenced the diffusion of agricultural species and thus development.

Return to Game

Modernization Theory: Stages and Western Influence

Modernization theory suggests that non-Western nations should avoid Western influence to achieve true development.

Answer: False

Explanation: Modernization theory posits that Western countries play a positive role in modernizing and facilitating development in non-Western nations, suggesting that these nations should embrace, rather than avoid, Western influence to achieve development.

Return to Game

Modernization theory includes a hierarchical classification of societies and specifies how societies achieve modernization.

Answer: True

Explanation: Modernization theory indeed includes a hierarchical classification of nations and specifies the processes through which societies achieve modernization, outlining stages of progression.

Return to Game

After World War II, developed nations, particularly the U.S., felt a moral imperative to assist former colonies in industrializing.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to Modernization theory, developed nations, especially the U.S., felt a moral imperative after World War II to intervene and assist former colonies in industrializing and modernizing.

Return to Game

Walt Whitman Rostow developed a five-stage economic model for national growth, which he titled 'The Communist Manifesto'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Walt Whitman Rostow developed a five-stage economic model for national growth, but he titled his essay 'The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto,' directly contrasting it with 'The Communist Manifesto'.

Return to Game

Rostow's Five Stages of Economic Growth describe a linear progression from a traditional society to an industrialized one.

Answer: True

Explanation: Rostow's Five Stages of Economic Growth indeed describe a linear progression, positing that societies move from a traditional state to a modern, industrialized one through distinct stages.

Return to Game

Rostow's model suggests that inequality between nations is a permanent state, not subject to change through modernization.

Answer: False

Explanation: Rostow's model simplifies inequality by suggesting that nations are merely at different stages of a linear growth path, implying that inequality will eventually disappear as all societies modernize through contact with developed cultures.

Return to Game

Modernization theory views societies as progressing through stages from traditional to modern, industrialized forms.

Answer: True

Explanation: Modernization theory indeed posits that societies progress through a series of stages, transitioning from traditional to modern, industrialized forms.

Return to Game

How does Modernization theory view the role of Western countries in the development of non-Western nations?

Answer: As a positive force for modernizing and facilitating development.

Explanation: Modernization theory emphasizes the positive role of Western countries in modernizing and facilitating development in non-Western nations, viewing them as models for progress.

Return to Game

Which of the following is NOT one of the three main components that constitute the theory of modernization?

Answer: A critique of Western intervention in non-Western economies.

Explanation: The three main components of Modernization theory are a hierarchical classification of societies, a specification of how societies achieve modernization, and generalizations about how elements of a modernized society integrate. It does not include a critique of Western intervention.

Return to Game

According to Modernization theory, what moral imperative did developed nations, particularly the U.S., feel regarding former colonies after World War II?

Answer: To offer assistance for industrialization and modernization.

Explanation: After World War II, developed nations, especially the U.S., felt a moral imperative to offer assistance to former colonies to help them industrialize and modernize, according to Modernization theory.

Return to Game

Who was a notable contributor to Modernization theory who developed an economic model outlining five stages of growth for nations?

Answer: Walt Whitman Rostow.

Explanation: Walt Whitman Rostow was a notable contributor to Modernization theory, known for developing an economic model outlining five stages of growth for nations.

Return to Game

Which of the following is the correct order of Walt Whitman Rostow's Five Stages of Economic Growth?

Answer: Traditional Society, Preconditions for Take-off, Take-off, Drive to Maturity, Age of High Mass Consumption.

Explanation: Rostow's Five Stages of Economic Growth are: The Traditional Society, The Preconditions for Take-off, The Take-off, The Drive to Maturity, and The Age of High Mass Consumption.

Return to Game

How does Rostow's model simplify the issue of inequality between nations?

Answer: By suggesting that different societies are merely at varying stages of growth and inequality will eventually disappear.

Explanation: Rostow's model simplifies inequality by presenting national growth as a linear path, implying that disparities between nations are temporary and will eventually disappear as all societies modernize.

Return to Game

Modernization theory suggests that societies progress through a series of stages, transitioning from which state to which other state?

Answer: Traditional to modern, industrialized forms.

Explanation: Modernization theory posits that societies progress through stages, transitioning from traditional forms to modern, industrialized ones.

Return to Game

Dependency Theory: Exploitation and Global Structures

Dependency theory argues that the poverty of peripheral countries is due to their lack of integration into the world system.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dependency theory argues that the poverty of peripheral countries stems not from a lack of integration into the world system, but from the specific, exploitative manner of their integration, which benefits wealthy nations.

Return to Game

Wealthy nations, according to Dependency theory, actively perpetuate dependency through various policies, including control over international trade.

Answer: True

Explanation: Dependency theory asserts that wealthy nations actively perpetuate dependency through various policies and initiatives, including their control over international trade and commerce rules.

Return to Game

Dependency theory suggests that attempts by dependent nations to resist dependency influences would likely lead to increased foreign aid.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dependency theory suggests that attempts by dependent nations to resist dependency influences could lead to economic sanctions or even military intervention, rather than increased foreign aid.

Return to Game

Raul Prebisch's research supported Dependency theory by showing that the wealth of poor nations tended to decrease as rich nations' wealth increased.

Answer: True

Explanation: Raul Prebisch's research indeed supported Dependency theory by demonstrating an inverse relationship: the wealth of poor nations tended to decrease as the wealth of rich nations increased.

Return to Game

Andre Gunder Frank and Walter Rodney adapted Dependency theory to exclude Marxist principles, focusing solely on economic exploitation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Andre Gunder Frank and Walter Rodney adapted Dependency theory by *incorporating* Marxist principles, integrating concepts like class struggle and historical materialism into the analysis of international economic relations.

Return to Game

'Standard' Dependency theory differs from Marxism by expressing little hope for progress in less developed nations towards industrialization.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'Standard' Dependency theory indeed diverges from Marxism by expressing little hope for progress in less developed nations towards industrialization or a liberating revolution, suggesting a more entrenched cycle of dependency.

Return to Game

Theotonio Dos Santos defines 'dependence' as a situation where a country's economy is conditioned by the development of a dominant economy, even if it harms the subordinate economy.

Answer: True

Explanation: Theotonio Dos Santos defines 'dependence' as a situation where a country's economy is conditioned by the development and expansion of a dominant economy, and this interdependence can indeed potentially harm the subordinate economy.

Return to Game

What is the core premise of Dependency theory regarding the wealth of nations?

Answer: Wealthy nations require a subjugated peripheral group of poorer nations to maintain their wealth.

Explanation: The core premise of Dependency theory is that wealthy nations require a subjugated peripheral group of poorer states to maintain their wealth, and the poverty of these peripheral countries stems from their exploitative integration into the world system.

Return to Game

According to Dependency theory, how do wealthy nations primarily perpetuate a state of dependency?

Answer: Through various policies and initiatives, including control over international trade and commerce rules.

Explanation: Wealthy nations, according to Dependency theory, actively perpetuate dependency through various policies and initiatives, notably by setting the rules of international trade and commerce.

Return to Game

What potential consequences might dependent nations face if they attempt to resist the influences of dependency, according to the theory?

Answer: Economic sanctions or even military invasion and control.

Explanation: Dependency theory suggests that attempts by dependent nations to resist dependency influences could lead to severe repercussions, such as economic sanctions or even military intervention.

Return to Game

What did Raul Prebisch's research reveal about the wealth of nations in relation to Dependency theory?

Answer: The wealth of poor nations tended to decrease as the wealth of rich nations increased.

Explanation: Raul Prebisch's research indicated an inverse relationship: the wealth of poor nations tended to decrease as the wealth of rich nations increased, supporting Dependency theory's claims of exploitation.

Return to Game

Which theorists adapted Dependency theory to incorporate Marxist principles?

Answer: Andre Gunder Frank and Walter Rodney.

Explanation: Andre Gunder Frank and Walter Rodney were notable dependency theorists who adapted the theory to incorporate Marxist principles, integrating concepts like class struggle.

Return to Game

What is a key difference between 'Standard' Dependency theory and Marxism?

Answer: 'Standard' Dependency theory expresses little hope for progress in less developed nations towards industrialization, unlike Marxism.

Explanation: A key difference is that 'Standard' Dependency theory expresses little hope for progress in less developed nations towards industrialization or a liberating revolution, diverging from Marxist perspectives.

Return to Game

Theotonio Dos Santos defines 'dependence' as a situation where the economies of certain countries are conditioned by the development and expansion of another dominant economy, which can potentially lead to what outcome for the subordinate economy?

Answer: Harm to the subordinate economy.

Explanation: Theotonio Dos Santos defines 'dependence' as a situation where a country's economy is conditioned by a dominant economy, and this interdependence can potentially harm the subordinate economy.

Return to Game

World-System Theory: Core, Periphery, and Semi-Periphery

Immanuel Wallerstein refined the Marxist aspect of Dependency theory by introducing the 'world system' concept.

Answer: True

Explanation: Immanuel Wallerstein refined the Marxist aspect of Dependency theory by introducing the 'world system' framework, which provides a more detailed structural analysis of global economic and political relationships.

Return to Game

World-system theory simplifies the global structure by only including core and periphery nations, without a semi-periphery.

Answer: False

Explanation: World-system theory, in fact, adds the concept of the 'semi-periphery' to the global structure, which includes countries that exhibit characteristics of both core and periphery nations, thus making the structure more complex, not simpler.

Return to Game

World-system theory supports the linear model of modernization, suggesting all countries can develop concurrently.

Answer: False

Explanation: World-system theory directly challenges the linear model of modernization, arguing that development and underdevelopment are created simultaneously within the global system, implying that not all nations can develop concurrently.

Return to Game

Who refined the Marxist aspect of Dependency theory and introduced the 'world system' concept?

Answer: Immanuel Wallerstein.

Explanation: Immanuel Wallerstein refined the Marxist aspect of Dependency theory by introducing the 'world system' framework, offering a more detailed structural analysis of global relationships.

Return to Game

What additional layer does World-system theory add to the structure of the world, according to dependency theorists?

Answer: The 'semi-periphery'.

Explanation: World-system theory adds the concept of the 'semi-periphery' to the global structure, which includes countries exhibiting characteristics of both core and periphery nations.

Return to Game

World-system theory challenges the linear model of modernization by arguing which of the following?

Answer: That development and underdevelopment are created simultaneously within the global system, implying not every nation can develop concurrently.

Explanation: World-system theory challenges the linear model of modernization by arguing that development and underdevelopment are simultaneously created within the global system, meaning not all nations can develop concurrently.

Return to Game