Short Answer
1. Provide a definition of development economics. Justify your choice carefully.

pages 9–10 for some ideas about how the students might answer this question. They
should in some way say that development economics is more than just growth in GDP.
2. In defining development to include more than just the growth of per capita income, there is an implicit assumption that the growth of per capita income alone is not sufficient to guarantee the reduction of poverty and the growth of self-esteem. Is it possible that there could be growth of
per capita income without the achievement of these other objectives?

of the population. This point is clearly made in Chapter 5. The growth may be centered in one area or sector of the economy for example. Also, most developed countries have, at some time in their histories, introduced policies emphasizing equality.
3. In what way is development economics greater in scope than traditional economics?

4.  Make a case that development economics might be merely a combination of all the other subfields

of economics, only applied to low-income countries.

5.  What do you think are the most serious obstacles to further progress in the developing world?

6.  In reviewing discussions of life in developing countries, what is it about lifestyles in the low-income countries compared with lifestyles in the high-income countries that most strikes you? Why?

7.  It has been said that “underdevelopment is a state of mind.” Comment.

as on Pages 12–14 of the text.
8. Do you think it is in the material interests of high-income countries to help low-income countries improve their economic performance? Why or why not?

9.  How is happiness related to development?

HInt: Answers should make reference to the correlation between happiness and income level as well as touch on the connection between happiness and social relationships, personal and democratic freedoms, religious beliefs, and health, among other factors listed on Page 20. Further, answers should include a discussion on happiness as being a part of Amartya Sen’s concept of functionings.

  1. What are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and how did they come about? What do you consider to be the most important of these and why?
    HInt: The answer should stress that the goals cover a broad range of objectives both economic and social. These were put forward so that developing countries would have numerical targets against which their progress could be judged and, where warranted, appropriate assistance offered. An interim assessment of the MDGs can be found at: www.unmilleniumproject.org.
  2. Why are women often referred to as playing a central role in economic development?
    HInt: An answer should include how women can influence whether or not the next generation will be impoverished through their role of childrearing based on the resources they bring
    to this task and the values they pass to their children. Another key point that should be mentioned is that empirically, women tend to allocate a higher percentage of the income under their own control to the family and children than men.
  3. What are the most important characteristics that have shaped Brazil’s economic and social progress during the last three decades?
    Hint: Discussion should include the large degree of income inequality, the need for land reform as a result of the dualistic nature of the land tenure system and the environmental challenge faced by what is one of the world’s most environmentally diverse countries.

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