4.3 Emerging and Developing Economies Flashcards
What is the resource curse?
The observation that countries with natural resource abundance often end up with lower levels of development than countries with low levels of natural resources
Why are abundant natural resources a curse?
There is overspecialisation in a certain area. One dominant sector becomes a parasite for workers/ investment. There are diminishing returns from investment/workers into the dominant sector.
What is the Prebisch-Singer Hypothesis?
Primary commodities rise in price more quickly, than secondary commodities.
Has the Prebisch-Singer Hypothesis held in recent years?
No primary good prices have risen more quickly than manufactured good prices.
What is he problem of primary product dependency?
More price volatile, due to inelastic supply and demand, leads to fluctuating revenue hence less investment.
What are the two key issues to address as a result of the resource curse?
Over-dependence on a single sector.
Uncompetitiveness of other goods.
What does Dambisa Moyo say about aid?
“correlated with corruption, fosters dependency and instils beaucracy that hinders the emergence of an essential entrepreneurial class”
What is an example of an organisation giving cash unconditionally and directly to those in poverty?
give directly
What is Paul Rodan’s aeroplane analogy?
launching a country into self-sustaining growth is like getting an aeroplane off the ground - assistnace doesnt need to be indefinite
What can aid lead to?
Market distortions
What hypothetical case study does Moyo use in relation to Aid?
Mosquito net production (free nets are often diverted to the black market)
Aid: How many mosquito nets were distributed from 2008-2010?
3 million
What does Sachs argue against Moyo’s mosquito net development arguement?
‘Not all nets are equal’ - chemically protective nets not produced in areas that need them
Aid: What multiplier effect does give directly have?
2.4
When was microfinance first introduced?
1970s - Bangladesh
How many people were microfinance loans given to in 2020?
200 million
Positives of microfinance…
increased access to credit, empowerment of women, poverty reduction
Limitations of microfinance…
high interest rates, over-indebtedness (financial stress), is there a long term positive effect (in isolation)
What are the arguments against debt forgiveness ?
moral hazard (expectation it may be forgiven, fiscal irresponsibility), negative impact on credit rating, inequitability between different regions