Political Science Answers

Which one of the following articulations of a ‘new’ imperialism is correct? (Refer to Ayer’s article available on ‘e-reserves’)

1. 

Liberalism in application is paradoxical because it demands that the state assume a neutral role in the market economy, whilst emphasizing that the unfettered circulation of capital is achievable through the state.

2. 

Epitomised by 'South-South development cooperation'.

3. 

Adopts the same form and function as colonialism and imperialism.

4. 

Governance plays the most instrumental role in the reproduction of global capitalism.

5. 

Since the process of constituting a neoliberal polity is based on the principle of liberalism that promotes self-interest and self-preservation, it creates an environment conducive to self-determination and freedom of autonomy.

Which one articulates Arowosegbe’s (2016) perspective on developmental challenges confronting the African continent?    

1. 

All 

2. 

The fact that structural adjustment programmes implemented by international financial institutions such as the IMF and WB resulted in further marginalisation from the global economic system thus worsening dependency and leading to chronic indebtedness.

3. 

The various crises on the African continent are primarily a consequence of a crisis of ideas characterised by intellectual dependence and restrictions to effective production and dissemination of indigenous knowledge.

4. 

Reliance on borrowed methodologies and theories to articulate the nature of economies that can lead to inadequate theorization and poor diagnosis and prognosis of crises.

5. 

Greater emphasis is given to evaluating internal dynamics of the state; examining the role that the class of aspirant owners of the means of production play in terms of reproducing patrimonial relations within local economies.

Identify the option that correctly describes Claude Ake’s (1996) thesis on development in Africa. (Please refer to e-reserve)

1. 

Development became an ideology of political unity that galvanized opposing attitudes towards the attainment of a common goal.

2. 

Development theorists and practitioners influenced by the neoclassical paradigm advocated for an autonomous approach that recognized the significance of historical, social and political contexts.

3. 

An increase in state sanctioned violence and extension of military rule in the post-colonial era demonstrated the power the military had in determining the trajectory of politics. 

4. 

Political independence in Africa ushered in an era of self-reliant development.

5. 

African leaders often conveniently appropriated and abused certain elements of indigenous culture and institutions to ‘manufacture consensus’ to justify their exploitation of power.

Which one of the following articulations of Zhao’s (2017) thesis on the difference between Chinese and Western Aid in Africa is incorrect? (Please refer to e-reserve)

1. 

The ‘soft power’ approach adopted by the Chinese is less politically interventionist than that of the West.

2. 

Chinese aid in Africa is centred on state-driven investments in infrastructural development rather than financial investments in the private sector, which characterised western aid.

3. 

Chinese NGOs play a pivotal role in development planning and coordination and involve a higher degree of participation amongst civil society stakeholders in Africa compared to those of the West.  

4. 

Chinese development projects in Africa have not been entirely successful and has not established the foundations for sustainable development.

5. 

Unlike programmes designed and implemented by the West, those initiated by the Chinese are more grounded in African realities that take local needs into consideration. 

Which one of the following options is not a core tenet of Matunhu’s (2011) critique of modernization? (Refer to e-reserve)

1. 

All of the options reflect Matunhu's core tenets. 

2. 

It is largely untrue, as modernisation theorists suggest, that the ability of a country to adapt to structural changes determines the speed at which they advance towards modernisation.

3. 

The justification for modernizing the African continent was predicated on the fundamental belief that ‘African society’ was inherently primitive and lacked technological advancement and innovation.

4. 

Walter Rodney’s (1972) work on ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’challenges the claim made by the metropole that pre-colonial African societies lacked technological advancement and social organisation.

5. 

African economies do not neatly fit into the categories outlined in Rostow’s linear theory of development.  

Which one of the following statements on the nature of ‘South-South’ cooperation between China and Africa is incorrect? (Please read e-reserve article by Bbaala)

1. 

As Kwame Nkrumah inferred more than five decades ago, state-assisted Chinese multinational corporations (MNC’s) are part of the larger project of ‘collective imperialism’ engaged in a new scramble for Africa.

2. 

China’s preferential tariff scheme has contributed to increasing manufactured exports from African countries resulting in effective capitalization of small and medium enterprises on the continent.

3. 

Chinese import markets in Africa are concentrated in a few countries, especially those producing highly valued natural resources.

4. 

China adopts the same strategy as powerful western states in terms of emphasizing the inherent human value endemic to its culture and language, which it aims to spread and use to consolidate and legitimize its economic influence on the continent.

5. 

All of the options are incorrect

Indicate the correct option.

According to Howard Handelman (2011), in Latin America’s newly industrializing economies (NICs), the implementation of Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI) model of economic development had the following effect on domestic economies: (Refer to chapter 10 available on ‘e-reserves’)

1. 

Traditional primary exports were improved.

2. 

It led to an increase in employment.

3. 

It resulted in a more equitable distribution of income benefitting all classes of society.

4. 

The balance of payments deficits was significantly reduced.

5. 

Dependence on imported consumer goods was replaced with dependence on foreign capital goods.

Which of the following options is not one of the characteristics of the growth-with-equity theory? 

1. 

A premium is placed on improving human capital through the advancement of specialised knowledge and skills training in the technological sector.

2. 

Synonymous with the approach of collective capitalism employed in East Asia.

3. 

Revival of the markets to create jobs.

4. 

Dismisses socialist values and identifies capitalism as the exclusive means to achieve economic growth and development.

5. 

Intensifying industrial production in areas with high unemployment.

Which one of the following options is not a core assumption of Samuel Huntington’s supposition of political development?

1. 

Greater emphasis should be placed on measuring outputs rather than analysing and improving processes necessary for development.

2. 

Adaptability, autonomy, complexity and binding ability of government institutions are important measures to determine the level of institutionalisation.

3. 

Successful development depends on a government institution’s capacity to meet developmental challenges.  

4. 

None of the options are core assumptions

5. 

The level of institutionalisation between countries can be compared to determine the degree of political development.

Indicate which one of the following variations of capitalism is most closely associated with neoliberalism? 

1. 

State Capitalism

2. 

Risk Capitalism

3. 

Crony Capitalism

4. 

Social Capitalism

5. 

Collective Capitalism