Development and Human Welfare 9.9 Contrasting Approaches to the Promotion of Development

Question 1

what are the two different approaches to reducing the unevenness of development and to closing development gaps? (2)

Answer 1

• top-down

- bottom-up

Question 2

top-down approach (5)

Answer 2

• government-led
• usually concerned with the management of the national or regional economy as a whole
• governments and IGOs make the decisions with little involvement of local people
• this approach often involves major infrastructural or industrial initiatives
• the hope is that the development will eventually benefit regions and local areas

Question 3

bottom-up approach (5)

Answer 3

• grass-roots based
• centered on people and focuses on helping them to help themselves
• encourages the involvement of local people and benefits people at a local level
• NGOs are often involved in such strategies, providing financial aid and technical expertise
• sustainable in the longrun

Question 4

what are some problems with top-down development projects? (4)

Answer 4

• the level of debt is often unsustainable
• there are often conditions attached to loans, which result in ‘non-nationals’ gaining control over a country’s affairs
• there is often little benefit for local people other than employment during the construction phase
• the end-product is usually expensive to operate and needs technical help with maintenance

Question 5

why are bottom-up development projects less damaging to the environment than top-down ones?

Answer 5

they are smaller and use appropriate technology

Question 6

which situations are best treated through a bottom-up approach? (2)

Answer 6

• the global gap in human welfare

- development gaps within countries

Question 7

which situation is best treated through a top-down approach?

Answer 7

the global gap in economic development