Assessing Latin American Development
Session Title
Global Issues and Terrorism
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Mentor
Ginger Williams, Ph.D.; Margaret Gillikin, Ph.D.; and Bryan McFadden, M.S.
Abstract
What are the best ways to assess Latin American development? Many Latin American countries started out in the same underdeveloped situation, but some flourished into developed countries while others have stayed underdeveloped or are backsliding to becoming underdeveloped once again. There are many ways to assess development that give only a snapshot of a country’s level of development. Depending on how they are assessed, countries may appear to be developed even when they lack key fundamental aspects of a developed country. The best way to gain an overarching view of a country’s level of development is through an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on economic development, human rights development, and status with regard to external and internal peace. The three indexes used to measure these aspects of development are the Index of Economic Freedom (IEF), the Human Development Index (HDI), and the Global Peace Index (GPI). Rankings of developed countries vary between these three indexes; for example, some rank Peru as more developed than Brazil, while others claim Brazil to be more developed. The IEF focuses more on government freedom and development compared to the freedom that citizens experience; the HDI focuses on the wealth, health, and education of a country; and the GPI focuses on external and internal peace within a country. This paper will focus on a geographical and historical perspective with a touch of educational theory to demonstrate the best way to teach this topic.
Course Assignment
IDVS 490 – Williams
Start Date
12-4-2019 3:15 PM
Assessing Latin American Development
DIGS 114
What are the best ways to assess Latin American development? Many Latin American countries started out in the same underdeveloped situation, but some flourished into developed countries while others have stayed underdeveloped or are backsliding to becoming underdeveloped once again. There are many ways to assess development that give only a snapshot of a country’s level of development. Depending on how they are assessed, countries may appear to be developed even when they lack key fundamental aspects of a developed country. The best way to gain an overarching view of a country’s level of development is through an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on economic development, human rights development, and status with regard to external and internal peace. The three indexes used to measure these aspects of development are the Index of Economic Freedom (IEF), the Human Development Index (HDI), and the Global Peace Index (GPI). Rankings of developed countries vary between these three indexes; for example, some rank Peru as more developed than Brazil, while others claim Brazil to be more developed. The IEF focuses more on government freedom and development compared to the freedom that citizens experience; the HDI focuses on the wealth, health, and education of a country; and the GPI focuses on external and internal peace within a country. This paper will focus on a geographical and historical perspective with a touch of educational theory to demonstrate the best way to teach this topic.
