Politics Of Development & Underdevelopment

1. Compare and contrast major theories of development and underdevelopment.
2. Analyze the impact of globalization on Third World countries.
3. Evaluate the role of international organizations in development.
4. Assess the political and economic factors contributing to underdevelopment.
5. Apply case studies to understand development challenges in specific countries.

13 weeks, about 90 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

   • Unit 1: What is Development? · 4 hours

     Read the introduction to understand the scope and objectives of the course.. Familiarize yourself with the definition of development and its various interpretations.. Reflect on the characteristics of development, such as infrastructure, security, and governance..

2. Week 2Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

   • Unit 2: What is Underdevelopment? · 4 hours

     Examine the concept of underdevelopment and its relationship to development.. Identify the external and internal causes of underdevelopment in the Third World.. Discuss the features of underdevelopment, such as low manufacturing and weak institutions..

3. Week 3Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

   • Unit 3: Theories of Development and Underdevelopment (Modernisation and Dependency as well as Sociological Theories) · 5 hours

     Compare and contrast Modernization and Dependency theories.. Understand the key arguments and proponents of each theory.. Apply these theories to analyze development and underdevelopment in different countries..

   • Unit 4: Critique of Modernisation and Dependency Theories · 3 hours

     Analyze the shortcomings of Modernization theory, including its ethnocentric bias.. Evaluate the limitations of Dependency theory, such as its broad generalizations.. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of both theories in explaining development..

4. Week 4Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

   • Unit 5: Development in the Industrialised Economies · 4 hours

     Assess development in industrialized economies, considering both internal and external factors.. Examine the Third World's contributions to the development of advanced countries.. Reflect on the role of exploitation and resource extraction in global development..

   • Unit 6: Underdevelopment in Africa · 4 hours

     Analyze the specific challenges of underdevelopment in Africa.. Identify internal impediments to Africa's development, such as corruption and political instability.. Evaluate the role of leadership in addressing underdevelopment in Africa..

5. Week 5Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

   • Unit 1: Global Capitalism and Globalisation · 4 hours

     Examine the impact of global capitalism and globalization on the Third World.. Understand how globalization affects different nations differently.. Discuss the role of the state in piloting the economy in the Third World..

   • Unit 2: Britton Woods Institutions (IMF and the World Bank) · 4 hours

     Analyze the contributions and limitations of the IMF and World Bank.. Evaluate the impact of loan conditions on Third World development.. Discuss the politics of funding and influence in global financial institutions..

6. Week 6Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

   • Unit 3: Multination/Transnational Corporations (MNCs or TNCs) · 4 hours

     Analyze the activities of MNCs in developing countries.. Pinpoint the contributions of MNCs to global development and underdevelopment.. Discuss the pros and cons of MNCs in the Third World..

   • Unit 4: The Politics of Debt and Foreign Aid in Africa · 4 hours

     Examine how foreign aid is used to undermine Africa's development.. Establish a link between debt and the crisis of development in Africa.. Discuss the politics of foreign debt and aid in Africa..

7. Week 7Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

   • Unit 5: North/South Dichotomy and the Search for a New International Economic Order · 6 hours

     Understand the causes of global inequality and the North/South dichotomy.. Examine the call for a New International Economic Order.. Analyze the reasons for the persistence of the status quo in global economic relations..

8. Week 8Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

   • Unit 1: The Rise of China · 6 hours

     Discuss the Chinese Revolution and its impact on development.. Highlight post-Mao reforms on trade and investment.. Explain the restructuring of the industrial sector in China..

9. Week 9Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

   • Unit 2: The Growing Economy of India · 4 hours

     Identify the era of government-planned and regulated economy in India.. Discuss the gradual process of deregulation of the Indian economy and its impact.. Explain the growth of the economy after the crisis-forced deregulation in 1991..

   • Unit 3: China and India on the March to the First World · 4 hours

     Analyze the concept of core states in the world economy.. Measure Indian and Chinese economies against core states.. State their position in the world economic system..

10. Week 10Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

    • Unit 4: Industrial Development in Brazil · 4 hours

      Understand the history and drivers of industrial development in Brazil.. Analyze Brazil's economic policies and their impact on growth.. Discuss Brazil's role in regional and global trade..

    • Unit 5: Industrial Development in Mexico · 4 hours

      Understand the history and drivers of industrial development in Mexico.. Analyze Mexico's economic policies and their impact on growth.. Discuss Mexico's role in regional and global trade..

11. Week 11Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

    • Unit 1: The Iranian Revolution · 6 hours

      Examine the causes and consequences of the Iranian Revolution.. Understand the role of religion in the revolution.. Assess the impact of the revolution on Iranian development..

12. Week 12Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

    • Unit 2: Military Rule and Third world Development · 4 hours

      Identify coup d'état as the method of military intervention in Third World politics.. State reasons for military intervention in Third World politics.. Highlight features of military rule and discuss the role of the military in the development of Nigeria..

    • Unit 3: Democratisation in Nigeria · 4 hours

      Outline the numerous definitions of democracy/democratization.. Highlight some features of democracy.. Identify democratization processes in Nigeria and enumerate the impact of democratization/democracy on the development of Nigeria..

13. Week 13Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

    • Unit 4: Corruption as the Bane of Third world Development · 4 hours

      Understand the definition and causes of corruption.. Highlight the dimensions of corruption in Africa.. Discuss the effects of corruption on Africa's development..

    • Unit 5: Solutions to the Third world Underdevelopment · 4 hours

      Discuss the role of culture in resolving underdevelopment.. Highlight the essence of good governance in development.. Identify the importance of a diversified economy in development and discuss the power of zero tolerance for corruption in the development of Third World countries.. Highlight the need for south-south cooperation..