Madagascar

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the dependency and the modernization theories of development and applies them to Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The author explains that, despite its biological and cultural richness, Madagascar has remained among the world's poorest countries. The rule of Dictator Kidier Ratsiraka and his corrupt government has been costly to this country. The paper emphasizes that economic colonialism has impeded the development of Madagascar, despite its independence in 1960.

Table of Contents:
Dependency Theory versus Modernization Theory
Religions and Politics
Ethnic Cultural Conflicts
Agrarian Reform
Women and Their Status
Urbanization
Soldiers and Politics
Economic Growth and the Environment

From the Paper:

"Women likewise suffer disadvantages in the realms of legislation and politics. Legislation discriminates against women in inheritance, land tenure, marriage and divorce. Women's disadvantages have been traditional. Colonial and post-colonial reforms were in the hands of men. Personal laws and customs restricted women's inheritance rights. Marriage and divorce laws and practices added to women's dependence on men. Even when separated or divorced, women find legal provisions for their provision as ex-wives and for their children limited and difficult to enforce."

Sample of Sources Used:

• BRIDGE (1992). What about women? 4 pages. Institute of Development Studies: University of Sussex, Retrieved May 30, 2007 from http://bridge.ids.ac.uk/reports/R20%20What%20About%20Women%202c.doc
• Ferraro, V. (1996). Dependency theory. 12 pages. Mount Holyoke College. Retrieved on May 31, 2007 from http://www.mtkolyoke.edu/acad/intrel/depend.htm
• Hamilton, R. (2003). Madagascar mixes religion and politics. 5 pages. BBC News: British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 30, 2007 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2681011.stm
• International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (2006). The experience of the National Land Programme in Madagascar. 3 pages. Summary. Retrieved May 30, 2007 from http://www.icarrd.org/en/icarrd/_madagascar_Sum.doc
• Juanico, S. (1999). Modernization /dependency theories. International Politics 104. 11 pages. Retrieved May 30, 2007 from http://www.mongabay.com./2005/0522-rhett_butler.html

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