Global Developments Matters Quizzes
* Quiz Questions of the Week are based on research findings of the
Center for Global Development.
Americans participate in global trade by:
a. Buying products made in other countries
b. Selling products abroad
c. Both a and b
Correct Answer: C.
Over the past 40 years, trade has grown from 9.6% to 26% of the U.S. national economy. This shift has meant that more U.S. jobs are linked to trade, and that Americans can buy more low-cost goods from abroad. As poor countries become more integrated in the global economy, they become richer and are also able to purchase more American goods. About 45% of U.S. exports go to developing countries today, compared with 39% a decade ago.
Most Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) generally target men.
a. True
b. False
b. False.
Poverty-focused, group-oriented MFIs tend to target women. The reasons for this are both ethical and practical. The oppression of women only worsens their financial situation. Women are also more likely use the money to benefit their families. According to anthropologist Aminur Rahman of the University of Manitoba after his fieldwork in Bangledesh, women were more sensitive to protecting the reputations of their families which could result in higher repayment rates. Some MFIs lend exclusively to women, like Crecer in Bolivia and Kashf in Pakistan. After 1985, the Grameen Bank decided to shift their focus towards women. Since 1990, over 90% of Grameen Bank’s members have been women.
Education in developing countries can help create a better, safer world.
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: a. True
Education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity. Greater access to improved education supports the growth of economies, civic participation, democracy and political stability, allowing people to learn about their rights and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to exercise them. Low levels of education coupled with disease, weak economies, and poor governance contribute to unstable societies that are more vulnerable to conflict, criminal networks, and other destabilizing forces, and threaten U.S. and global security.
What percentage of Americans support helping poor countries develop their economies as a way to fight terrorism?
a. Less than 25%
b. About 50%
c. More than 75%
Correct answer: C. 78%
By helping countries fight poverty, educate children, prevent health crises, build roads, create jobs and spur economic growth, development assistance can help improve lives and decrease countries’ vulnerability to conditions that may lead to conflict or terrorism. The terrorist attacks against the U.S. on September 11, 2001, taught us that destabilizing events in faraway places can have a real impact closer to home.
The U.S. collects more in tariffs on goods imported from France than on goods imported from Bangladesh, a relatively poor country.
a. True
b. False
Correct answer: b. False
The U.S. often collects more in tariffs on imported goods from developing countries than rich ones. The U.S. collected $396 million in tariffs from Bangladesh in 2005, and $359 million in tariffs from France, despite the fact that the value of French goods is nearly 10 times higher than those from Bangladesh.
What makes developing countries vulnerable to conflict, criminal networks, terrorists and illegal arms dealers?
a. Poverty
b. Disease
c. Lack of economic opportunity and jobs
d. Lack of legislative and judicial systems
e. Lack of police and military forces
f. All of the above
Correct answer: f. All of the above
While poverty, disease and lack of economic opportunity do not lead directly to conflict, crime or terrorism, they can create conditions that are hostile to peace and stability. Similarly, if legislative and judicial systems are weak, or police and military forces are inadequate, they can leave fragile countries vulnerable to destabilizing forces.
Rich countries spend about $2,000 per person on health care each year. How much do some developing countries spend?
a. $10
b. $100
c. $200
d. $500
Correct answer: a. $10
Compared with annual health care expenditures of $2000 per person in rich countries, the governments of some of the world's poorest countries spend as little as $10 per person.
What percentage of U.S. exports go to developing countries?
a. None
b. 10%
c. 25%
d. 45%
Correct Answer: d. 45%
About 45% of U.S. exports go to developing countries today, compared with 39% a decade ago. As poor countries become richer and more integrated in the global economy, they purchase more American goods. Trade has the potential to be a significant force for reducing global poverty by spurring economic growth, creating jobs, reducing prices, increasing the variety of goods for consumers, and helping countries acquire new technologies..
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