The big idea: The whole Development theme runs on a handful of recurring debates — the same questions, again and again. Master these four debates and you can answer almost any Development essay, because every Paper 2 question is really one of them in disguise.
The exam does not reward listing facts about aid or GDP. It rewards taking a debate and arguing both sides to a judgement. This micro pulls the theme's tensions together and shows how to turn them into top-band answers.
- What development means — economic growth, or a better human life (developing the economy vs developing society)?
- Which factors matter most — economic (money), political/institutional (governance), or social/environmental?
- Globalization — has it brought more winners than losers, or mainly widened inequality?
- Sustainability — can development continue, or must it be radically rethought (SDGs vs de-growth)?
Spot the debate in the question: The first exam skill is recognition: read the question and ask which debate is this? 'Does development depend mostly on economic factors?' = which factors matter. 'Can development continue given sustainability?' = the sustainability debate. Naming the debate gives you an instant structure.
Free preview
This is the free notes preview
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it free for 7 days:
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Here are the four debates lined up with the two sides and a balanced landing point for each — the shape of a top-band answer.
What development means
Side A: development = economic growth (GDP). Side B: development = human development — health, education, rights, well-being. Landing: developing society is the goal, the economy is the means — they are interdependent, so 'more than growth' but growth is a vital part.
Which factors matter most
Side A: economic factors (money) are decisive — no money, no schools. Side B: politics, institutions and society decide whether money is used or wasted. Landing: economic factors are necessary but not sufficient — good governance is the decisive multiplier.
Globalization: winners or losers
Side A: globalization cut absolute poverty and spread growth (more winners). Side B: it widened inequality and rewarded the powerful (more losers). Landing: it cut absolute poverty WHILE widening inequality, so the verdict depends on what you weigh.
Sustainability: continue or rethink
Side A: development can be made sustainable (green tech, the SDGs). Side B: endless growth cannot last, so we need de-growth. Landing: growth-only development is in doubt, but sustainable development remains possible — rich countries must consume less while the poor develop.
One case, many debates: A single case usually touches several debates. Climate change is about sustainability (can development continue?), which factors matter (environment as a threat), globalization (who caused it, who suffers), AND it links to rights and power. Strong answers link the debates.
Stop wasting time on topics you know
Our AI identifies your weak areas and focuses your study time where it matters. No more overstudying easy topics.
Across all four debates, one meta-question keeps returning: is development mainly held back by things inside a country (governance, choices) or outside it (global rules, power, climate)? Weigh it.
Two perspectives — weigh them: One view: development is mainly held back by internal factors — governance and choices. Another view: it is shaped by external factors — global rules, power and climate — that the powerful control. The strongest judgement holds both: internal governance and external structures interact, so development needs a capable state AND fairer global terms.
How development debates come up in Paper 2: A Paper 2 Development essay is always one of the four debates in disguise. Spot which one, define your terms, argue both sides with real cases, then reach a clear judgement.
The top-band recipe (how to reach 13–15)
Define + spot the debate
Define the key terms and name which recurring debate the question is.
start
Two sides, explored
Argue BOTH sides with real, contemporary cases — not just identify them.
10–12
Evaluate
Weigh the sides — which is stronger, and why; consider implications.
13–15
Judgement
End with a clear, balanced judgement that answers the question.
finish
"Development is held back more by global forces than by a country's own choices." Discuss this view.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Common mistakes: 1. Not spotting the debate. Name which of the four the question is.
2. Only one side. Always argue both.
3. No real cases. Pull cases from across the theme.
4. Identify, don't evaluate. Weigh the sides for 13–15.
5. No judgement. End by answering the question.