Developing Countries Research Paper
Developing Countries Research Paper
Effects of Poverty in Somalia
Strayer University
Sociology of Developing Countries
09/02/2012
Abstract The Third World was a term coined to distinguish nations that neither aligned with the First World developed countries nor the Second World Communist Countries during the Cold War. However, modern day usage denotes countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) that suffer from political, social and economic underdevelopment. The United Nations finds "Third World" term slightly pejorative and prefers the label "less developed countries" (LDCs). Terminology notwithstanding, LDCs suffer from underdevelopment and poverty. "At the grassroots level, economic underdevelopment connotes widespread scarcity, substantial unemployment, substandard housing, poor health conditions, and inadequate nutrition”. (Handleman, 2011, p. 3) The underdevelopment plunges countries into devastating turmoil that can result in extreme poverty creating harsh environments and political difficulties. The African nation of Somalia is a country that has experienced this turmoil for decades. Somalia is listed among the poorest countries in the world and suffers from the effects of poverty that impacts society, government, food production, environmental issues and economic development.
Turbulent History
Somalia is located in eastern Africa and forms the cap of the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Kenya in the south, Ethiopia in the west and Gulf of Aden to the north. It covers a land mass similar to the size of Texas and it is mostly flat. In order to acutely understand this land, it is necessary to trace Somalia’s turbulent history. There are few written accounts of Ancient Somalia as this knowledge was mainly passed on verbally. However, inhabitant’s existence can be linked as far back as 2200 B.C. when nomads roamed the region. Early on this area was home to many ethnic groups such as Egyptians, Afar, Bantu, and Somali people.
Effects of Poverty in Somalia
Strayer University
Sociology of Developing Countries
09/02/2012
Abstract The Third World was a term coined to distinguish nations that neither aligned with the First World developed countries nor the Second World Communist Countries during the Cold War. However, modern day usage denotes countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) that suffer from political, social and economic underdevelopment. The United Nations finds "Third World" term slightly pejorative and prefers the label "less developed countries" (LDCs). Terminology notwithstanding, LDCs suffer from underdevelopment and poverty. "At the grassroots level, economic underdevelopment connotes widespread scarcity, substantial unemployment, substandard housing, poor health conditions, and inadequate nutrition”. (Handleman, 2011, p. 3) The underdevelopment plunges countries into devastating turmoil that can result in extreme poverty creating harsh environments and political difficulties. The African nation of Somalia is a country that has experienced this turmoil for decades. Somalia is listed among the poorest countries in the world and suffers from the effects of poverty that impacts society, government, food production, environmental issues and economic development.
Turbulent History
Somalia is located in eastern Africa and forms the cap of the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Kenya in the south, Ethiopia in the west and Gulf of Aden to the north. It covers a land mass similar to the size of Texas and it is mostly flat. In order to acutely understand this land, it is necessary to trace Somalia’s turbulent history. There are few written accounts of Ancient Somalia as this knowledge was mainly passed on verbally. However, inhabitant’s existence can be linked as far back as 2200 B.C. when nomads roamed the region. Early on this area was home to many ethnic groups such as Egyptians, Afar, Bantu, and Somali people.
References: Bahadur, J. (2011). The Pirates of Somalia: Inside Their Hidden World. (pp. 25-43). New York, NY. Pantheon Books. CNN. (2011). CNN Defining Moments 2011- Man made famine crisis in Somali. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2011/12/14/defining-moments-somalia.cnn Handelman, H. (2010). The Challenge of Third World Development. (pp 1-240). Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions. Hassig, S.M., & Zawiah, A.L. (2008). Cultures of the World; Somalia. (pp. 7-119). Tarrytown, NY. Marshall Cavendish International. J. L. (2012). The Economist. How do you solve a problem like Somalia? Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2012/02/somalia Somalia. (2012). In U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook [online]. Retrieved 2012 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/so.html The Economist. (2012). Baby Steps. After the inauguration of a new parliament, Somalia may get a proper government soon. But do not count on it being entirely clean. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/21560905