Discussion (9:20-9:40)
Discuss the two readings for today (See below for discussion questions)
Watch (9:40-10:12)
Continue Sons of Lwala
Readings for Thursday, 4/11
Discussion Questions
Key Term:
Trade liberalization is the removal or reduction of restrictions or barriers on the free exchange of goods between nations. These barriers include tariffs, such as duties and surcharges, and nontariff, such as licensing rules and quotas.
Africa Today (published Jan. 2014)
IMF director visits after a final disbursement of a $900 million loan to Kenya
"Impact of the Structural Adjustment Programmes on Kenyan Society" (published in 2002)
Additional questions if time, which we'll surely not have.....
Discuss the two readings for today (See below for discussion questions)
Watch (9:40-10:12)
Continue Sons of Lwala
Readings for Thursday, 4/11
- Vox Article
- Look at GiveDirectly for Thursday’s starter
Discussion Questions
Key Term:
Trade liberalization is the removal or reduction of restrictions or barriers on the free exchange of goods between nations. These barriers include tariffs, such as duties and surcharges, and nontariff, such as licensing rules and quotas.
Africa Today (published Jan. 2014)
IMF director visits after a final disbursement of a $900 million loan to Kenya
- General impressions to this interview? What was it like to hear these particular perspectives?
- How does the guest, Henry Boyo, assess IMF's programs in terms of impact on Kenya? Pros/Cons?
- Why does Boyo say that trade liberalization doesn't work great in Africa?
- Nigeria had barely 60% debt relief because 7 years down the road, Nigeria still owed $35 billion and NOW debt burden is $100 billion but IMF is telling Nigeria not to worry, because it is such a small part of Nigeria's GDP. Should Nigeria worry? Should those nations with huge debt receive debt relief even if those come with major strings attached?
- Why is it so difficult to turn "things" around in Africa despite tremendous amount of aid? (according to Benjamin?)
- What, according to Boyo, do many African countries NOT NEED from IMF? What does he say many African countries, such as Nigeria, lack most? How could IMF thus help??
"Impact of the Structural Adjustment Programmes on Kenyan Society" (published in 2002)
- What is the thesis of this scholarly article?
- What are all the categories the author examines in terms of SAP Impacts?
- Take 2 minutes to skim the article and find one quote or argument that stood out to you the most. We'll go around and share out!
- Let's think about global economy and how it might actually to a disservice to development in the global south when it comes to environmental and humanitarian rights issues. (this is in reference to an argument outlined on page 86)
Additional questions if time, which we'll surely not have.....
- To what does the author link the decline in living conditions seen in the 1990's (but which he says began in 1973)? (page 82)
- What does the author say SAPs lead to in the SHORT-TERM and WHY do you think they would lead to that? (84)
- Initially, SAPs were meant to address solely economic matters (help companies develop infrastructure to produce goods they could sell on the global market, etc...) but what did it end up focusing on and why is that problematic? (page 85)