1. The Politics of Development in Africa
HIGHER GRADE MODERN STUDIES
The Politics of Development in Africa
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2. Affecting African Development
The
Social, Economic and Political Factors
Affecting African Development

3. 1. What and Where is the Developing World?
‘Developing World’ is a term used to describe countries where people have low standards of living because poverty and hunger are widespread and where civil unrest and war frequently occur.
Many developing world countries suffer from hunger and malnutrition - although not all people in developing countries are poor.
Where is the Developing World?
EQUATOR
Developing Countries
Many developing countries lie South of the Equator.
Africa is a continent with major problems which have impacted on its progress

4. 2. What Common Features Do African Countries Share?
Although not every African country will have all of the features outlined below, many will have some of them………………..
Growing population, esp. among under 15s
Poor roads and communications
Education poor by Western standards
Civil war or war with neighbouring countries common
Low average income per head
Many work on the land
Unemployment is high
Medical care is poor
Large debt burden

5. 3. Factors Affecting African Development.
ECONOMIC FACTORS
The ability of countries in Africa to progress is hampered by various factors namely:
POLITICAL FACTORS
SOCIAL FACTORS

6. Effects of Cash Crops and Terms of Trade
4. Economic Factors.
Effects of Debt
Effects of Cash Crops and Terms of Trade
Africa faces demands of $14.5 billion in debt repayments every year.
Much of this has been borrowed from IMF or World Bank
They often attach ‘conditions’ (SAPs) when lending money – this can lead to hardship for countries involved.
Now worldwide campaign to cancel debt of poor countries.
UK has cancelled 100% of debt owed to it.
In 2005 the three main lenders, the IMF and the African Development fund, agreed to relieve the debts of 30 African Countries
A condition of getting money from the World Bank or IMF is often the requirement to grow cash crops
Idea is that country can use money to generate income
But can lead to overproduction and collapse of prices
‘Free markets’ culture favours developed countries
Land Tenure
60% of African land still in hands of subsistence farmers- 8 out of 10 are women who do not own the land they farm. Also not educated in farming methods.
Because land held in man’s name, little incentive to improve it. People need security of tenure to encourage time and investment in land.

7. How Debt Can Cripple A Country
5. CASE STUDY - Zambia
How Debt Can Cripple A Country
Zambia was once one of Africa’s richest countries. Now it is poorer than it was in 1975!
In the early 2000s it had one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the world at 33 years.
In 2004, Zambia spent 7.35% of its GDP to repay its debt – twice what it spent on education.
To meet its debts, Zambia has had to privatise its public services and take in foreign imports.
Because of this, Zambia could not address its health, educational and economic needs……..
ZAMBIA
in 2005, the G8 summit cancelled $4bn of debt. This has enabled the Zambian Government to introduce free healthcare and to invest in education

8. Effects of War / Civil War
6. Political Factors.
Effects of War / Civil War
Effects of Bad Governance
Armed conflicts now a leading cause of hunger
Wars destroy economic and social development
They destroy communications
Genocide and killings can reduce workforces drastically
Land can be rendered useless for generations (eg. mines)
Police cannot be trusted
Human rights abused
Taxes not efficiently collected
Key services not delivered
Poor legal system
Widespread corruption
Many dictatorships
‘A key difficulty for Africa in the past forty years has been the weakness of governance’ (Commission for Africa Report)
What is meant by ‘Bad Governance’?
Kleptocracies
Kleptocracy linked to bad governance
A Kleptocracy is where a dictator or elite group exercise their power to the benefit of themselves at the expense of the population at large.
Corruption is ignored because keeps powerful people (eg. military elite) content since their wellbeing is linked to that of those in power.

9. 7. The Results of Armed Conflict.
Huge losses of civilian life – destruction of villages and whole societies
Displacement of people (refugees)
Affects women and children – traumatised by conflict – cannot return to normal lives
Emergency aid disrupted by conflict (eg. Sudan)
Governments block food supplies to starve enemies
Essential money for health, education diverted to war effort – disease/illness increase
Food becomes a weapon ‘scorched earth’ policies – livestock killed, wells poisoned

10. How Corruption and Mismanagement Can Affect a Country
8. CASE STUDY - Zimbabwe
How Corruption and Mismanagement Can Affect a Country
Zimbabwe was once the economic leader in Africa but poor management by government has caused economic disaster
The dictatorial president, Robert Mugabe introduced a land distribution policy which drove many white farmers off the land, crippling commercial farming & food production.
The country has major economic problems caused by government. IMF suspended financial aid because country cannot meet financial goals.
Vote-rigging and terrorisation by thugs have crushed much political opposition. Opponents denied food aid. Journalists banned from country.
ZIMBABWE

11. Massive AIDS epidemic in Africa – 25.4m living with HIV
9. Social Factors.
Health Issues
Education Issues
Low literacy levels
Low enrollment levels, even in primary schools
Debt owed by many countries means free education has ended for many
Skilled jobs for bulk of people just a ‘dream’
Massive AIDS epidemic in Africa – 25.4m living with HIV
Many countries have lost years of life expectancy
Brings major problems to economy & health systems – people too ill to work.
Land Tenure & Women
Poor Farming
Many African Women denied right to own land
But women play a key role in farming!
Excluded from agricultural training but do most farming!
In Botswana, almost 40% of country has HIV
Deforestation, overgrazing and overcropping are exhausting the land
Poor irrigation
Leads to desertification
Affects lifestyles

12. The Impact of Aids on an African Country BOTSWANA
10. CASE STUDY - Botswana (1)
The Impact of Aids on an African Country
AIDs and Botswana – Facts and Figures (2003)
Population of Botswana approx. 1,650,000
Est. % living with AIDS % of population
Est. no. HIV/AIDS deaths ,000
Women as % of adults with HIV/AIDs %
Women aged with HIV/AIDs – 45% (est.)
Men aged with HIV/AIDS – 19% (est.)
Number of AIDs orphans ,000 (est.)
BOTSWANA

13. 11. CASE STUDY - Botswana (2) How AIDS Affects Development.
Health - Direct costs of AIDs include expenses for drugs, medical care, funeral expenses.
Indirect costs include lost time due to illness, recruitment/training costs to replace workers etc.
Pressure on hospitals – cannot cope
Economy - Young adults lost in most productive years. Affects overall economic output.
Agricultural output slumps as workers die and young children not capable of taking their place.
Education- children do not go to school as they are needed as carers at home or to work in the fields. Teachers die of AIDs – not replaced.
Social – developing infrastructures (eg. roads) means many male workers spend time away from families – engage in casual sex – spread AIDs
Aids impacts severely on the economic and social fabric of countries. It also strikes people in the most productive age groups and is invariably 100% fatal

14. The End