Exam style questions

Exam-Style Questions: Development & Sustainability - p. 267-270 (Big Book)

Section A style question:

should either include a definition or description or demonstrate 
understanding of sustainability along the lines of ‘development that meets the needs of the 
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.

Should also reference it is multidimensional and contested

Include claims and counterclaims

Should have specific examples in the response

Your response might also address the fact that this is an area of data conflict, where reliability, 
omission and interpretation of data are highly contestable, as well as referring to recent writing 
on this debate, for example the idea of Deep Adaptation or lack of political will to confront i, 
especially among populist leaders.

Your answer must build towards a conclusion that clearly states the extent to which you agree 
with the claim that the challenges of sustainability mean that development may no longer be 
possible

 

Section B:

You should show that you understand development as a 
multifaceted concept that includes sustained increases in living standards and welfare, leading to 
higher income, improved services, reduced poverty, inequality and unemployment, and increased 
sustainability. 

Claims - international trade agreements, MNCs emerge challenge state sovereignty, globalization, IGOs such as IMF

Counterclaims - development can enhance power therefore enhacnging sovereignty in hard and soft power, can create preferential trade agreements (example: Boeing while earning lots from commercial works closely with US gov for military & weapon development), climate change is a common threat resulting in forced cooperation, greater threats can come from terrorism and cyberwarfare that threaten infrastructure

Include sanctions by IGOs to limit sovereignty of state