Question 1

Lloyd has been studying Uganda for decades. Based on his research, he believes that barriers to trade, minimum wage laws, and environmental regulations that affect Ugandan businesses are getting in the way of development and should be minimized or eliminated. His view is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Lloyd's view aligns with neoliberalism, which advocates for free markets, limited government intervention, and the reduction of barriers to trade and business regulations. This ideology emphasizes the importance of economic growth and individual freedom. Marxism, on the other hand, prioritizes the collective ownership of property and means of production, and social democracy advocates for a balance between capitalism and social welfare programs. Anarchism rejects all forms of hierarchical authority and government intervention, which is not consistent with Lloyd's view.

Question 2

Pepe believes that we need to consider forces beyond natural disasters and other natural forces when we talk about global inequality. Which answer best explains why he might feel this way?

Accepted Answer

Pepe's belief that we need to consider forces beyond natural disasters and other natural forces suggests that he recognizes that social forces may also contribute to global inequality, such as access to food and resources.

Question 3

Modernization theory argues that:

Accepted Answer

Modernization theory argues that low-income societies can only develop economically if they give up their traditional ways and adopt modern economic institutions, technologies, and cultural values that emphasize savings and productive investment. This means that traditional cultures may need to be modified or abandoned in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity. State-run economies are not necessarily seen as the most efficient, and high-income countries are not expected to give resources for free.

Question 4

According to the textbook, the combination of drought and internal warfare are the primary explanations for:

Accepted Answer

The combination of drought and internal warfare are the primary explanations for high rates of undernourishment in low-income countries. These factors can disrupt agricultural production and displace populations, leading to food shortages and inadequate nutrition.

Question 5

Christopher concludes a journal article he has written with the following sentence: "This irony points out that hunger is probably not a problem of production; it is a problem of distribution." What irony is Christopher likely referring to?

Accepted Answer

The irony referred to is likely that even though there is an increasing production of food, many countries still experience widespread hunger. This suggests that the problem is not one of production but of unequal distribution.

Question 6

According to UNICEF (2015), nearly half of all deaths of children under the age of five are attributable to:

Accepted Answer

According to UNICEF (2015), undernutrition is responsible for nearly 45% of all deaths of children under the age of five. Child labor, parental neglect, and pollution are contributing factors to child deaths, but not to the same extent as undernutrition. Therefore, undernutrition is the best choice.

Question 7

According to the textbook, how has the HIV/AIDS epidemic contributed to food shortages in some countries?

Accepted Answer

The HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes to food shortages in some countries by killing many working-age adults who might otherwise contribute to food production. This can lead to a decrease in agricultural output and food availability, ultimately resulting in food shortages. Money that could be spent on food is also often redirected towards HIV/AIDS treatments and medications, but this is a secondary factor compared to the loss of labor. HIV-infected food does not pass on the virus, and there is no evidence to suggest that the epidemic pushes scientists out of those countries conducting food research.

Question 8

Keynesian economists begin with the assumption that the state should regulate economic policy for everyone's benefit. Why might sociologists who use market-oriented theories be critical of this idea?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists who use market-oriented theories generally believe that free markets, without state interference, are the best way for resources to be allocated efficiently and for economic growth to be maximized. Thus, they may be critical of the idea that the state should regulate economic policy for everyone's benefit, as they view this as potentially hindering the functioning of the market.

Question 9

The textbook notes that cultural traditions such as Confucian philosophy-with its emphasis on respect for elders, frugality, and hard work-may explain some of the economic advances in East Asia. This assertion is similar to Weber's argument that capitalism in Europe was influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Weber argued that Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, provided the values and beliefs necessary for the development of capitalism in Europe, including a strong work ethic and emphasis on frugality and saving. This is similar to the argument that Confucianism has played a role in the economic success of East Asian countries by encouraging similar values and behaviors.

Question 10

Jian Mei explains in her work that philosophy led to economic development in many of east Asia's newly industrializing economies. She is likely referring to:

Accepted Answer

Confucianism emphasizes the importance of personal ethics, obedience to authority, and frugality, which are qualities that are often associated with economic development. Many of the newly industrializing economies in East Asia, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, have deeply ingrained Confucian values.

Question 11

According to dependency theorists, what keeps low-income countries poor?

Accepted Answer

According to dependency theorists, global capitalism creates a system where poor countries are exploited for their resources and cheap labor, while wealthy countries reap the benefits. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment in low-income countries.

Question 12

Sanjay studies global hunger, particularly in Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Tajikistan. Why might she focus specifically on these countries?

Accepted Answer

The combination of drought and internal warfare has wrecked food production in these countries.

Question 13

Ida studies the economic landscape of Bolivia. Her research has led her to believe that Bolivia will never develop until it abandons its traditional culture and instead focuses on productive investment. What theory or set of theories best describes her view?

Accepted Answer

Ida's view aligns with the principles of modernization theory, which posits that traditional cultures and institutions inhibit economic development, and modernization can only be achieved through the adoption of Western industrial and capitalist practices.

Question 14

Neoliberalism asserts that:

Accepted Answer

Neoliberalism emphasizes the importance of free-market forces and minimizing government intervention in the economy to promote economic growth. It is not focused on promoting liberal social values or social democratic programs.

Question 15

The textbook notes a recent health crisis that emerged in West Africa. The disease spread quickly because it was new to the region and because there were few health care facilities, poor-quality roads, and insufficient transportation in rural areas. This epidemic was called:

Accepted Answer

The disease that spread quickly in West Africa due to lack of healthcare facilities, poor-quality roads and insufficient transportation in rural areas was the Ebola Epidemic.

Question 16

What is one of the explanations a sociologist would give to someone who wants to understand the recent economic advances of the east Asian emerging economies?

Accepted Answer

Many of the east Asian emerging economies, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, were former colonies that subsequently experienced rapid economic growth. The colonial experience, while often harsh, also provided these countries with some infrastructure and a degree of exposure to international trade and investment. This, combined with government policies that promoted industrialization and export-oriented growth, helped to fuel their economic success.

Question 17

Illness and disease among low-income countries are often a result of poor sanitation, polluted water, and susceptibility to disease brought on by famine and malnutrition. This illustrates the fact that most serious illnesses and diseases in low-income countries are:

Accepted Answer

Poor sanitation, polluted water, famine, and malnutrition increase the susceptibility to infectious diseases, making them the most serious illnesses and diseases in low-income countries. Degenerative disorders like heart disease are more commonly associated with lifestyle and aging, and they are not directly related to poverty. The common diseases in high-income countries are different and often related to lifestyle factors such as obesity or stress. Lastly, the given information does not provide any evidence to support the claim that diseases are more deadly in middle-income countries.

Question 18

Salvatore studies the debate around universal health care in the United States. He prefers economic theories that suggest that the best possible outcomes in health care happen when the government does not interfere in economic decisions. Lorenzo prefers what theory or set of theories?

Accepted Answer

Lorenzo prefers market-oriented theories that suggest the best possible outcomes in healthcare happen when market forces drive economic decisions instead of government intervention.

Question 19

According to the textbook, market-oriented theories of global inequality assume that the best possible economic consequences will result if:

Accepted Answer

Market-oriented theories assume that individuals are rational and will make the best economic decisions for themselves when free from government regulation. This leads to competition and innovation, which in turn leads to economic growth and development.

Question 20

Alyssa is a fierce advocate for indigenous rights and ways of life. Why might she be critical of the modernization theory of development?

Accepted Answer

Alyssa may be critical of modernization theory because it typically suggests that traditional societies must abandon their traditional ways and embrace modern economic institutions, which could potentially pose a threat to indigenous rights and ways of life.

Quiz 8: Global Inequality