Development
Economic History
Geography
Politics

Home Background

Background

Before starting out your field trips it's a good idea to find out a little background knowledge about Zambia and get some idea of the meaning of the term 'development'. Many of Zambia's economic problems that you will encounter cannot really be considered out of the historical, geographical and political context.

The background section is divided into four parts

• The meaning of growth and development
• The economic history of Zambia
• The geography of Zambia
• The politics of Zambia

One problem that a visitor to a country faces is that they only experience what is happening at the present. They get a snapshot view of the country. All economic systems are continually changing. In the 1960s and early 1970s Zambia had one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Twenty years later it suffered major economic decline with appalling increases in the level of poverty. Economic systems are dynamic and constantly changing. They are prone to impact from many different external forces. Changes in climate, global market conditions and political philosophy all involve decision making about the use of resources. Some countries seem to be able to adapt and adjust to these changes better than others can. Whereas the More Developed Countries have the resources, expertise and confidence to be able to cope with external shocks the Less Developed Countries do not seem to.

Related Glossary Items:
Development
Absolute Poverty
Relative Poverty