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Chapter 2
Comparative Economic Development
Key Concepts
In the new edition, Chapter 2 serves to further examine the extreme contrasts not only between developed
and developing countries, but also between different developing countries.
As in the last edition, Chapter 2 introduces quantitative comparison methods. After classifying countries
as low–income, lower–middle income, upper–middle income, high-income OECD, and other high-income
countries (in accordance with the World Bank’s income classification structure), Purchasing Power Parity
(PPP) is explained as a tool to make more accurate comparisons between countries based on income
level. As an alternative to the World Bank’s classification based on income, Chapter 2 looks at other key
development factors such as education and gender inequality, mainly through an introduction to the Human
Development Index and how it is calculated. This edition also introduces students to the new Human
Development Index and how it differs from the original HDI. It emphasizes the calculations of these two
indexes and how a nation’s income level is often not consistent with its HDI or NHDI. Numerous new
country comparison tables were added to better illustrate this point.
As in the 11th edition, the 12th emphasizes the similarities among developing countries. The chapter stresses
ten key similarities of developing countries:
Low levels of living and productivity
Low levels of human capital
High levels of income inequality and absolute poverty
High rates of population growth
Social fraternization
Large rural population with rapid rural–urban migration
Low levels of industrialization
Adverse geography
Underdeveloped financial systems and markets
Lingering colonial impact and external dependence
Within the discussion of these similarities are highlights of the diversity among developing nations despite
their commonalities.
The chapter goes into greater detail when discussing that developing countries began modern economic
growth with initial conditions much different from those of the developed countries. In comparison to the
position of the developed countries on the eve of their development, many of today’s LDCs have:
more limited natural resource endowments.
lower per capita incomes.
a less temperate climate and possibly unfavorable geographic conditions.
larger population sizes and growth rates.
fewer migration possibilities, but a larger “braindrain” problem among those who do migrate
(the new edition specifically addresses the problems associated with remittances).
fewer growth benefits from international trade.
limited scientific and technological research capacity.
ineffective domestic institutions.
This section is followed up by a discussion as to whether the living standards in developing and developed
nations are starting to converge.
A section on the long-run causes of comparative development provides a framework linking these causes,
designed purposely to give students a foundation for the following chapters which discuss different theories
of economic development. Included is a diagram that is helpful for students when trying to visualize the
linkages.
The chapter ends with a case study on Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Lecture Suggestions
As is stated in the in the text “… the characterization of the developing world as sub-Saharan Africa, North
Africa, the Middle East, Asia (except for Japan and, more recently South Korea and perhaps two or three
of the other high-income economies), Latin America and the Caribbean, and the “transition” countries of
eastern Europe and central Asia including the former Soviet Union, remains a useful generalization” (page
42). This quote coupled with a brief discussion of what is to be found in Table 2.1 (the fact that all
low-income, low middle-income and upper middle-income countries are to be found in the developing
world as defined in the text) should be sufficient. You can then turn to the question how the per capita
income used in classifying countries as developed and less developed is measured as well as the question
of what makes these economies more similar to one another than countries of the developed world.
Note that the text discusses GNI as opposed to GDP. Given that the vast majority of principles of
macroeconomics textbooks focus on GDP, it may be helpful to discuss the difference between the two and
the reason for using GNI rather than GDP to measure per capita income. You should not go into any more
detail than a particular class seems to need. You might also like to consult Clara Capelli and Gianni Vaggi’s
“A better indicator for the standard of living: The Gross National Disposable Income”
(http://www.voxeu.org/article/better-measure-standard-living) for a further refinement over GNI.
The GNI conversion problem. In order to classify countries according to GNI per capita each country’s GNI
must be converted to dollars. Asking a class if, given statistics on GNI for a particular economy in local
currency, how they would convert this figure into dollars you are sure to be told that you should use the
exchange rate. It is often useful at this point to ask students if they have traveled and what the exchange rate
has played as they paid for things and tried to keep track of what they had spent. To being a discussion of
the purchasing power parity ratio, it is then helpful to again turn to the class, ask if they believe most things
in less-developed countries are as expensive as they are in developed countries. This invariably leads to a
discussion of why most items are significantly cheaper in the former. While the Big Mac Index from the
Economist helps illustrate this same point, another useful resource is the website Numbeo
(http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living). A quick calculation of the un-weighted average of the figures for
groceries in an LDC such as Bangladesh or simply the CPI +rent index given and then comparing these
results to the same data for the U.S., Japan, the U.K., or some other developed country illustrates how the
cost of living differed considerably across the world. To further drive the point home it is often useful to
compare the purchasing power parity ratios of different developed countries. Particularly striking is a
comparison of the U.S. and Japan. Finally, it is helpful to note that the ratio of the purchasing power parity
ratio to the exchange rate gives us a measure of the relative cost of living and to discuss why this is the case.
You could do a few calculations showing the difference converting local currency figures into dollars using
the purchasing power parity ratio as opposed to the exchange rate. While going through these calculations
(perhaps having students do them themselves in class and provide you the answers) it is important to
emphasize that the purchasing power parity ratio’s sole function is to capture differences in the cost of
living and the exchange rate implies that the cost of living is equal across countries.
After discussing GNI and the GNI conversion problem you can also discuss:
Classifying countries using GNI per capita, or the human development index and comparing the two
classifications. Show the students what factors are represented in the HDI and how it is computed
(note the new coefficients in the newer version). This can further focus student attention on the broader
meaning of development and the importance of looking beyond average income levels. Table 2.4 on
page 55 contrasts GDI per capita with HDI levels to show that a certain level of GDI does not
guarantee an equivalent HDI..
Characteristics such as education, literacy, and share of industry in GNI tend to change predictably with
the level of GNI.
Section 2.4 goes into detail regarding the ten common features shared by developing economies. Given that
these are dealt with in detail in later chapters it might be best to simply discuss most of these topics in very
general terms at this point . For example, population growth is the focus of Chapter 6 while education and
formation of human capital is the focus of Chapter 8. Despite these similarities the differences need to be
discussed as well. Perhaps the most straightforward way to draw attention to the diversity that exists
between developing nations is to spend time discussing differences in natural resource endowments, weather,
and climate as the topic of adverse geography is discussed or the differences in the type of colonial regime as
this topic is discussed at the very end of section 2.4.
Introduce the concepts of modern economic growth and structural change. Traditional society and modern
economic growth can be placed in historical perspective and a short discussion on the different conditions
faced by developing countries and currently developed countries can follow. The legacy of colonialism and
dependence in representative countries from various developing regions can be contrasted.
Discuss the various theories of Comparative Development.
Discussion Topics
Ask the students what they think the common features of developing countries are and make a list of
their suggestions on the board. At the end, add anything that they have missed. Along the way you can
elaborate on their suggestions.
Ask the students whether they think becoming more economically developed is equivalent to becoming
more industrialized. You can present data on the share of industry in GDP, discuss the difference between
necessary and sufficient conditions, and introduce the concept of modern economic growth and the
structural changes that go along with development (this is discussed further in Chapter 3 as part of
the structural change theory).
Students will find it instructive to review the many differences between Europe on the eve of its postwar
“miracle” and developing countries at their time of independence. These differences include infrastructure
(at least engineering plans for destroyed sections), human capital (such as industrial skills even if industry
was destroyed), magnitude and type of capital inflow, values of modernity, developing countries lower
political autonomy and the legacy of colonialism, and the fact European countries not only were not colonies
themselves but owned colonies. This topic can also be discussed in Chapter 3 as part of the discussion of
the Harrod-Domar model. The Harrod-Domar model worked well for the European countries after WWII
because they had the right complementary inputs in place.
Sample Questions
Short Answer
1. Explain how low levels of living can turn into a vicious cycle in developing countries.
Answer: See the section on low levels of living in the chapter.
2. Carefully explain some of the similar problems faced by otherwise diverse countries in Africa, Asia,
and Latin America.
Answer: This calls for students to summarize some of the main points discussed in the chapter.
3. What are some of the main ways in which the economies of developing countries differ from one
another?
Answer: See the Key Concepts above for a summary.
4. Explain why purchasing power parity measures of income levels tend to show a smaller difference
between poor and rich countries.
Answer: PPP measures show the number of units of developing country currency required to
purchase a basket of goods and services in the developing country market that costs
5. In what way does nationalism tend to be a hindering force in attaining modern economic growth and
development, and in what way a facilitating force?
Answer: This is a question that would depend on what you have covered in lecture.
6. What are the three main indicators that make up the Human Development Index?
Answer: Life expectancy, educational attainment, GDP per capita measured in PPP terms.
7. If countries are first ranked by level of real GDP per capita, and then by the value of the Human
Development Index, would you expect the ranking of countries to be similar or different? Explain.
Answer: The final column of Table 1 in the Human Development Report (hdr.undp.org) shows the
8. Comment on the following statement: The level and growth rate of real GDP per capita can be a
misleading indicator of development. At the same time, countries that experience sustained increases
in real GDP per capita over time will tend to be more developed.
Answer: Open-ended essay.
9. What are the three major components of economic growth?
Answer: Capital accumulation, labor force growth, and technological progress.
10. Explain the lingering effects of colonialism and how it is still playing a role in hindering economic
development in the developing world.
Answer: Answers should be based on the points covered in the section on the colonial impact as
11.Why might the use of more advanced technology not be a sufficient condition for sustained economic
growth?
Answer: It may require an inefficiently high capital labor ratio and complementary factors,
12. The 2006 Human Development Report reported that the HDI of South Africa was 0.653 (and its rank
was 121) and that of the Peru was 0.767 (and its rank was 82). South Africa’s per capita income
(in PPP dollars) was 11,192 and that of Peru was 5,678. Comment and explain.
Answer: Instructors can use figures similar to those in the question from the most recent issue of the
HDR (at hdr.undp.org) in updating this question. Students should discuss the difference
13. What are remittances and what role do they in developing countries? How could this potentially
benefit an economy?
Answer: An answer should pose a definition, mention how remittances reduce poverty for many
14. Are living standards in developed and developing countries converging? Give evidence to support
your answer.
Answer: Answers should refer to Figures 2.7–2.9 and the supporting text.
How do differences in culture lead to comparative development?
Answer: Cultural factors effect the development and amount of emphasis put on education,
15. In what way(s) do the development paths chosen by Pakistan and Bangladesh differ? What are the
main factors that have contributed to these differing paths?
Answer: The key differences are the aspects of economic development discussed in the chapter. The
16. How is poverty measured? What is the extent of poverty in the developing world?
Answer: The concept of absolute poverty is discussed in the text and the progression of absolute
17. What are the major differences between the new HDI and the original HDI?
Answer: Open ended essay. Refer to pages 51–55 of text for the discussion.
Multiple Choice
1. An example of an upper-middle income country is
a. India.
b. Brazil.
c. Indonesia.
d. Nigeria.
2. A newly industrialized country is
a. the same as a high-income country.
b. any country that has experienced sustained growth in industry.
c. a special classification given to some upper-middle income countries that have
achieved relatively advanced manufacturing sectors.
d. any country that has moved out of lower income status.
3. Which of the following is not an upper-middle income country?
a. Brazil
b. South Africa
c. Pakistan
d. Argentina
4. Which of the following is a low-income country?
a. Mexico
b. Thailand
c. Turkey
d. Bangladesh
5. One of the components of the human development index is
a. the percentage of the population who are high school graduates.
b. the average daily intake of protein.
c. life expectancy at birth.
d. the number of doctors per hundred people in the population.
6. What percent of the world’s nations have at least five significant ethnic populations?
a. 0–10
b. 10–20
c. 20–30
d. 30–40
e. over 40
7. What fraction of developing countries have recently experienced some form of significant interethnic
conflict?
a. less than one-tenth
b. a tenth to one-quarter
c. one quarter to one half
d. over one half
8. Which of the following African countries has experienced widespread death and destruction due
to ethnic or clan based conflict in the previous decade?
a. Rwanda
b. Sudan
c. Somalia
d. all of the above
9. Which measure uses a common set of international prices for all goods and services produced?
a. purchasing power parity income levels
b. GNI price deflators
c. foreign exchange rate conversions to U.S. dollars
d. the exchange rate
10. The number of units of developing country currency required to purchase a basket of goods and
services in a developing country that costs one dollar in the U.S. is given by
a. GNI price deflator.
b. Human Development Index ranking.
c. purchasing power parity.
d. the exchange rate.
11.About how many people lack access to basic sanitation?
a. 20 million
b. 200 million
c. 500 million
d. 1 billion
e. 2 billion
12. About how many people lack access to safe water?
a. 20 million
b. 200 million
c. 500 million
d. 1 billion
e. 2 billion
13. About how many malnourished children under age five are there in the developing world?
a. 20 million
b. 150 million
c. 500 million
d. 1 billion
e. 2 billion
14. Neutral technological progress occurs when
a. higher output levels are achieved with the same quantity and combinations of factor inputs.
b. higher output levels are achieved by more capital intensive methods.
d. higher output levels are achieved by more labor intensive methods.
e. higher output levels are achieved.
15. Conditions of today’s developed countries at the start of their industrialization differ from conditions
in the developing world in that
a. population growth rates were higher.
b. more advanced technology was available.
c. there were more opportunities for development assistance.
d. none of the above.
16. Most successful examples of modern economic growth have occurred in a country with
a. a temperate-zone climate.
b. a market economy.
c. exports of manufactured goods.
d. all of the above.
17. Which of the following is not an indicator that is used by the World Bank in measuring the level
of economic development?
a. life expectancy at birth.
b. adult literacy rate.
c. infant mortality rate.
d. all of the above are not used by the World Bank.
18. The dependency burden is
a. a measure of the degree to which the less developed countries are dependent on the rich industrial
countries.
b. the average number of children that a woman gives birth to during her lifetime.
c. the number of babies born per 1000 persons.
d. the percent of the population that is below 15 and above 65 years of age.
19. How many people still live on less than the equivalent of $1.25 per day (new definition of “extreme
poverty”)?
a. 100 million.
b. 500 million.
c. 1.4 billion.
d. 2.2 billion.
20. Which of the following is not an indicator that is used to compute the Human Development Index?
a. life expectancy at birth.
b. real GDP per capita.
c. infant mortality rate.
d. adult literacy rate.
21. The combined GDP of developing countries constitutes approximately
a. 5 percent of global GDP.
b. 20 percent of global GDP.
c. 30 percent of global GDP.
d. 40 percent of global GDP.
22. Developing countries are starting to converge with developed countries in the long run in what
respect?
a. Growth rate
b. Income inequality
c. Population
d. Per capita income
23. Which region in the world has the lowest GNI per capita based on the World Bank Atlas method?
a. Sub-Saharan Africa
b. East Asia/Pacific
c. South Asia
d. Latin America/The Caribbean
