*Introduction to Political Science*Less Developed and Newly Industrializing CountriesFrank H. Brooks

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Defining the CategoryFormerly Third Worlddeveloping countriesCountries not central to Cold War conflictLess Developed and Newly IndustrializingDevelopments since decolonizationSome have industrialized, many same or worse offPolitical shifts, to and from democracyEconomic and political aspectsPolitical variation: authoritarian more common, shift to democracy?Economic variation: political economic systems, level of development

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Analytical QuestionsWhy so few established democracies among this group?Why havent more of these countries developed economically?Why have some (the newly industrializing) been more successful in economic development?What are the connections between democratization and economic development?

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Democratization and Political DevelopmentConditions for democracySocialModernization (secularism, education)development of civil societyRole of womenPoliticalInstitutions, e.g. parties, presidential v. parliamentaryRule of law; bureaucracy, public sector, corruptionEconomicDemocracy correlated with national wealthWhich comes first?HistoricalEmergence of democracy for advanced democraciesHistorical trajectories of less developed countriesImpact of imperialism and colonialismFocus on general theory or specific cases?

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Barriers to DemocratizationNational boundaries established under colonialismWeak statesNationalism and ethnic conflictPoor political leadershipInternational interference (including aid)PovertyCorruption

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*No Preconditions?Global reach of third wave democratization suggests that democracy can crop up anywhereOptimistically rejects assumption that some countries not ready for democracyDemocracy as a universal value (Diamond)even where its performance is shakyeven where democracies rare (e.g. Middle East)If true, research and practical questions are:Why are there holdouts?What can be done to hasten democracy among the holdouts?If not, issues are different:Why does (re-)democratization emerge from authoritarian breakdown?How are democracies consolidated?

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Democracy DriversEconomic developmentRelated to rising levels of education, middle class, vibrant civil societyEmergence of a more questioning, assertive, pro-democratic political cultureEconomic performanceAuthoritarian regimes often rest legitimacy on thisWhen it fails, they have no legitimacyInternational actions and pressuresEspecially U.S. emphasis on human rights and decline of Cold WarAlso EU, election observers, human rights groupsChanging international normsDemocracy as a human rightHas made intervention easier, by NGOs and governments

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Economic Development ChallengesConvergence v. DivergenceIn theory, poorer countries should grow at faster rate and convergeIn practice, most have grown more slowlyRecent convergence, e.g. Latin AmericaLegacy of Imperialism and ColonialismFocus on extraction of primary commoditiesIndustrial development suppressedterms of trade, tax policy, rent-seekingForeign aid and foreign debtKey issuesRelationship to international markets trade, finance, investmentInfrastructure development transport, communication, etc.Human capital development education, healthcareAgricultural sector export? Subsistence? Political weight?

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Strategies for Economic DevelopmentExport-Oriented IndustrializationE.g. South Korea and other Asian tigersMercantilist strategy state maintains low exchange rate, shapes industrial policyUsually suppresses labor organizing to keep labor costs lowRecent examples: China, India?Import substitution Brazil a major example until 1990sFocus on industrial production because of terms of tradeSufficiently-large domestic market walled off from competition leads to higher costs for manufactured goods (but also ancillary benefits?)Tendency towards autarkyStructural adjustment policiesAid and debt restructuring conditioned on market-oriented reformsLiberalization of trade rules; reduction of public sector

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Alternative Development ModelsSocialismAdopted/adapted in many developing countriesE.g. African socialism in TanzaniaTrading blocs rather than world marketSmall Is BeautifulE.F. Schumacher (1973)Industrial-scale production unsustainablesustainable developmentMicro-credit, especially Grameen Bank in BangladeshIn developed countries: local currencies, community land trusts

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Democracy and DevelopmentCorrelationWealthy countries more likely to be democraticPoor countries more likely to be authoritarianShould poor countries strive to democratize in order to develop economies?Yes: more accountable state will try to benefit publicNo: demands for immediate consumption benefits will undermine necessary investmentShould they implement capitalism, assuming that democracy will follow?Yes: typical model for advanced democraciesYes: seems to have worked for Asian tigersNo: non-democratic governments not necessarily committed to capitalist reforms (can be kleptocracies)PrezworskiIn poorest countries, doesnt matter whether regime is democratic or authoritarian (too few resources)At middle incomes, slight advantage to non-democratic regimes in economic development

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Sub-Saharan AfricaParticularly poor record on democratization and developmentSome successes in Asia, head start in Latin AmericaMany have become poorer and less democratic; few have developedCollier and GunningFocus on developmentAre major problems domestic or external, policy or destiny?

Introduction to Political Science

*Introduction to Political Science*Collier and GunningDomestic DestinyPoor health (tropical climate, AIDS)High population growthPoor soilsLow population density and high ethnic diversityMany small countries (due to colonialism)Domestic PolicyLarge public sector (ethnic conflict, chokes off private sector)Poor public services (education, infrastructure)Intrusive economic policy (price controls, regulation)External DestinyMany landlocked countries (hinders trade)Deterioration of terms of trade for primary commoditiesForeign aid (conditions; displacement of private investment)External PolicyHigh exchange rates and trade barriersLarge foreign debt

Introduction to Political Science

**********Nyereres Arusha Declaration (1967): It is obvious that in the past we have chosen the wrong weapon for our struggle, because we chose money as our weapon. We arc trying to overcome our economic weakness by using the weapons of the economically strong - weapons which in fact we do not possess. It is stupid to rely on money as the major instrument of development when we know only too well that our country is poor. It is equally stupid, indeed it is even more stupid, for us to imagine that we shall rid ourselves of our poverty through foreign financial assistance rather than our own financial resources. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1967-arusha.html***