There are three levels or three areas of underdevelopment. identify those, with examples from various countries. How equitable economic distribution help or hurt development?

2. What is Human Development Index? What is GDP? Dow do these two factors relate to each other to show a countries level of development? How do CUBA and SAUDI ARABIA compare?



3. Explain the main deifference between modernization and dependency theories. What is the essence of "Contemporary Perspectives" on development?

4. Sociologist of development Huntington argues that the LDCs (lesser developed countries) go through certain instability when they enter development. Why is that?

It seems like most of this information would be available in your text.

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "human development index definition" to get these possible sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index
http://glossary.econguru.com/economic-term/Human+Development+Index

You can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

I hope this helps.

1. Three levels or areas of underdevelopment are often categorized as economic, social, and infrastructural underdevelopment.

Economic underdevelopment refers to a lack of industrialization and diversification within an economy, along with low GDP per capita. For example, in many African countries, there is a heavy reliance on agriculture as the primary economic activity, leading to limited economic growth and development.

Social underdevelopment refers to inadequate access to education, healthcare, and basic services, as well as high levels of poverty and inequality. In countries such as India and Brazil, despite economic growth, there is significant social inequality where a large portion of the population lacks access to quality education, healthcare, and other basic services.

Infrastructural underdevelopment refers to a lack of adequate infrastructure such as roads, transportation, communication networks, and electricity supply. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa face challenges in developing and maintaining basic infrastructure, impeding their overall development.

Equitable economic distribution plays a crucial role in determining the impact of development. When economic resources are distributed equitably, it helps in reducing poverty and inequality, fostering social cohesion and stability. Countries that have implemented policies promoting equitable economic distribution, such as the Nordic countries with their high levels of social welfare, have achieved relatively high levels of development. On the other hand, when economic distribution is highly unequal, it can lead to social unrest, political instability, and hinder overall development. This can be observed in countries with high levels of income inequality, such as South Africa or certain Latin American countries.

2. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure developed by the United Nations that combines indicators of life expectancy, education, and per capita income to assess a country's level of human development.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the total value of goods and services produced within a country in a specific period.

The HDI and GDP are related as GDP is one of the components used to calculate the HDI. However, the HDI goes beyond pure economic indicators like GDP, giving more weight to factors like education and healthcare. While GDP provides an overall measure of economic output, the HDI aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of a country's development by taking into account other important aspects of human well-being.

Comparing Cuba and Saudi Arabia, their levels of development differ significantly. Cuba has a relatively high HDI ranking due to its well-developed healthcare and education systems despite its lower GDP per capita. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has a higher GDP per capita but lower HDI ranking due to disparities in education and gender inequality. This highlights the importance of considering multiple factors, beyond just GDP, to assess a country's level of development.

3. The main difference between modernization theory and dependency theory lies in their perspectives on development and the factors influencing it.

Modernization theory posits that societies develop in a linear progression from traditional to modern stages. It emphasizes industrialization, technology, and economic growth as drivers of development. Modernization theorists believe that societies need to adopt Western models of development to achieve progress.

Dependency theory, on the other hand, argues that the underdevelopment of certain countries is a result of their economic and political dependence on more powerful nations. Dependency theorists argue that the global capitalist system perpetuates inequality, keeping developing countries reliant on developed nations for their economic growth.

Contemporary perspectives on development have evolved to incorporate elements from both modernization and dependency theories. They recognize that development is a complex process influenced by various economic, social, and political factors. Contemporary perspectives emphasize the importance of sustainable development, social justice, and inclusive growth, taking into account local contexts and the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes.

4. According to sociologist Samuel P. Huntington, the instability experienced by less developed countries (LDCs) when going through the development process can be attributed to several factors.

One factor is rapid social and economic change that accompanies development. LDCs often experience significant shifts in societal structures, values, and norms as they transition from traditional agrarian economies to more industrialized and urbanized societies. These rapid changes can disrupt social harmony, cause social dislocation, and create tensions between different social groups.

Another factor is the development of new political institutions and the struggle for power. LDCs may face challenges in establishing stable political systems and effective governance structures during the development process. This can lead to political instability, power struggles, and even conflicts within and between different societal groups.

Furthermore, the influence of external actors, such as colonial legacies and the impact of globalization, can also contribute to instability in LDCs. Historical legacies of colonialism, unequal trade relationships, and dependency on external economies can undermine the development process and exacerbate internal tensions.

Overall, Huntington argues that these various factors interact and create a range of challenges for LDCs as they strive to achieve stability and sustainable development.