What are the challenges of the Doha Round of world trade talks?

The member countries are locked over technical issues that will see the demand by emerging nations that the developed nations open up their trade to developing nations. The developed nations are however unwilling to do this as they seek to protect their domestic markets. The US for example through Former US ambassador Peter Allgeier, claims that it will not open up its market if its not going to get a “package” to sell home. For the major trade players one challenge is to align the contentious Doha talks with the political cycle, such as the US midterm elections and Brazil’s presidential election in 2010, the arrival of a new European Commission this year (Hazzelhurst, 2009).

How are the developing countries disadvantaged by international trade?

Developing nations depend heavily on exports for growth. According to the WTO, 40-50% of their GDP is from foreign trade. Those that rely of agricultural exports are faced with low prices caused by developed nations offering subsidies to their farmers (Hazzelhurst, 2009).

Why have African liberation movements found it difficult to make the transition into political parties?

Liberation movements have distinctive features and definite goals which have no political affiliation hence poor political background. These features also make it tricky for the movements to reproduce their strategies devoid of taking into account equally the context within which they develop. Taylor (1997) also adds that “The struggles of movements and groups of excluded people are too diverse in their origins and outcomes to be seen as a model that can be adopted for all development efforts.”

Why is the success of Venezuela’s revolution uncertain?

Imperialists’ campaigns and attacks have been reported occasionally in the country hindering the revolution. The prevailing world economic recession has had profound effects on the situation in Venezuela due to a slump down in oil prices. This has led to economic and social strife, conditions that do not favour a revolution.

Discuss the key environmental issues as they relate to Third World development.

Global warming and erratic climatic conditions have largely affected the third world economics through drought and famine as they heavily rely on agriculture dependent on weather patterns. The developed nations are most active in contributing towards these yet it’s the third world nations that suffer most hence their demand for compensation. Developing nations have poor or no environmental laws hence also contribute to environmental degradation. This has made it possible for developed nations to use these third world countries as their dumping sites for electronic, chemical wastes etc.