Political and institutional factors
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Flip to reveal answersWhat are political and institutional factors in development?
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Question
What are political and institutional factors in development?
Answer
Stability, accountability, transparency, low corruption, the rule of law and effective institutions — the governance that decides whether resources develop a country.
Question
What are 'institutions'?
Answer
The lasting rules, laws and bodies that run a country — courts, tax offices, the civil service — plus the rule of law.
Question
Why are institutions decisive for development?
Answer
They decide whether money is invested honestly and becomes services, or is stolen — so the same resources can develop one country and enrich a few in another.
Question
What is corruption?
Answer
The abuse of public power for private gain — it drains resources meant for development.
Question
How does corruption harm development?
Answer
Money for roads, schools and hospitals is siphoned off, contracts go to the well-connected, and aid props up leaders instead of reaching people.
Question
Why does stability matter for development?
Answer
Peace and predictable government let long-term investment happen; conflict and chaos destroy infrastructure and deter investment.
Question
What is accountability in governance?
Answer
Leaders being answerable to the people, with open decisions, so power is checked and corruption curbed.
Question
Why is 'good governance' seen as central to development?
Answer
Accountable, low-corruption governments with the rule of law invest resources honestly and attract investment, so they consistently develop better.
Question
Are good institutions enough for development on their own?
Answer
No — they need money, infrastructure and market access, and are constrained by geography, history and global rules; they are the decisive multiplier, not the sole cause.
Question
Why can the same resources give different results?
Answer
Because governance decides whether money is used honestly or wasted — the difference between development and enrichment of a few.
Question
What is the rule of law's role in development?
Answer
It means laws apply fairly to all, protecting property, contracts and rights, which encourages honest investment and curbs abuse.
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Topic 3.3 hub
Nature, practice and study of development and sustainability
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