Causes for the Struggle of Third Countries to Modernize
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Historical Factors
Slavery's Impact
Post-Colonial Instability
Exploitative Economic Policies
Cultural Disruptions
Colonial Legacy
Economic Challenges
Bangladesh, a major textile exporter, has been affected by trade barriers imposed by developed countries. Despite being the world's second-largest apparel exporter, it faces challenges such as low prices and unfair trade practices.
Afghanistan's economy relies heavily on agriculture, with limited industrial development. This lack of diversification contributes to economic vulnerabilities, especially in times of political instability.
Sri Lanka faced a debt crisis, with its total external debt reaching approximately $56 billion, equivalent to around 80% of its GDP, by the end of 2020.
Nigeria faces challenges of corruption and mismanagement, with an estimated $32 billion lost to corruption between 2011 and 2015. Such mismanagement hinders the efficient allocation of resources for development.
Political Factors
Haiti has struggled with weak governance structures, leading to political turmoil and difficulties in implementing effective policies. The World Bank Governance Indicators show persistent governance challenges.
In Eritrea, there is a lack of political pluralism, and President Isaias Afwerki has been in power since the country gained independence in 1993. The country consistently ranks low in democracy and human rights indices.
Social and Cultural Factors
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In some rural areas of India, traditional norms and practices may impede the adoption of modern technologies and healthcare practices, hindering overall development.
Yemen faces severe gender inequality, ranking at the bottom of the Global Gender Gap Index. Women in Yemen have limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
In Niger, only about 29% of the population aged 15 and older is literate. Limited access to quality education hampers human capital development and socio-economic progress.
Environmental Challenges
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest poses a significant environmental challenge for Brazil. The loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems affect both local communities and the global climate.
Ethiopia faces challenges related to soil degradation, affecting agricultural productivity. Approximately 35% of the country's land is classified as severely degraded, impacting food security.
Afghanistan has faced significant challenges with corruption, and Transparency International ranked it 165th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 2020.
Nigeria experiences extensive environmental degradation in the Niger Delta due to oil spills and gas flaring. These activities have severe consequences for local ecosystems and communities.