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Models of Development - Activity
The aim of this Activity is to look at the characteristics of three countries in different parts of the world; to identify some of the similarities and differences in the problems they face and the relevance of the Rostow model of development to the three countries. One country will be from Africa, one from South America and one from Asia.
You should ensure that you are familiar with the main features of the Rostow model. You can use the Presentation(http://www.bized.co.uk/educators/16-19/economics/development/presentation/models.ppt) [272 KB] to go back over these or you may use the relevant section of the Virtual Developing Country.(http://www.bized.co.uk/virtual/dc/copper/theory/th9.htm)
Images: Can economic development be explained by Rostow's five-stage process?
Titles: Somalis In Mandera Refugee Camp, Disney Concert Hall Construction Progresses. Copyright: Getty Images, available from Education Image Gallery
Below is a series of data relating to the three countries:
| Country | GDP per capita ($) | Population(Million) | Sector composition (Agriculture: Industry: Services) | Labour force by occupation | Infant mortality (Deaths per 1000 live births) | Life expectancy (average) |
| Bangladesh | 1,900 | 141.3 | 21.7: 26.6: 51.7 | Agriculture - 63%
Industry - 11%
Services - 26% | 64.32 | 61 |
| Djibouti | 1,300 | 0.467 | 3.5: 15.8: 80.7 | N/A | 105.54 | 42 |
| Guatemala | 4,100 | 14.2 | 22.5: 18.9: 58.5 | Agriculture - 50%
Industry - 15%
Services - 35% | 36.91 | 65 |
Source of data: CIA World Factbook
Bangladesh
Djibouti
Guatemala
Questions:
- Using the data above, what stage in the Rostow model would you classify each of the three countries and why?
- From the data given what would you consider to be the key factors preventing the further development of the three economies?
- Considering the data given, what other features of each country might you expect to see that could limit the potential for growth?
- To what extent are these factors able to be controlled or influenced by internal or external bodies such as governments or international agencies, e.g. the World Bank?
Now look at some further details about each country using the CIA factbook:
- Bangladesh (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bg.html)
- Djibouti (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/dj.html)
- Guatemala (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gt.html)
- What would you consider to be the common factors that limit the potential for development of each country?
- To what extent do the countries concerned differ in the difficulties they face in developing?
Image: Hardship is not new to the people of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. The geography of the country poses significant problems for the large population.
Title: Bangladesh Famine. Copyright: Getty Images, available from Education Image Gallery
Image: Djibouti - a small country with big problems? The Baal-Balla slum on the outskirts of Djibouti Town.
Title: Djibouti To Be Used As New Base For War On Terror. Copyright: Getty Images, available from Education Image Gallery
Image: The Volcan de Agua in Guatemala. Guatemala is mostly mountainous with active volcanoes, prone to earthquakes and tropical storms.
Copyright: Mauricio Morales
- Given the research you have conducted, to what extent can the Rostow model help to explain economic development?
Extension Work
- Classic Theories of Development: A Comparative Analysis by Todaro and Smith [288 KB, PDF](http://www.aw-bc.com/info/todaro_smith/Chapter4.pdf) - quite a challenging piece for A' level but with an interesting case study and, if you skip the maths, some valuable points. The questions for discussion could provide a useful source of further work on this area. A useful reference for those involved in doing the Advanced Extension Award.
- A worksheet is available in the Virtual Developing Country resource on economic development(http://www.bized.co.uk/virtual/dc/works/growth.htm). This would also be a useful extension exercise for students to follow.
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