Measuring the Success of Military Interventions (Edexcel A Level Geography)

Measurements of Success

• The world has made progress in terms of human development and human rights

• Most improvements have occurred because of geopolitical interventions, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

• Interventions in sovereign states, whether humanitarian, military or the use of development aid, should improve the lives of people in a measurable way

• To measure the success of geopolitical interventions, a wide range of variables need to be considered, including whether there have been improvements in:

  • Health - more citizens will be vaccinated, a decrease in infant mortality

  • Life expectancy - increased for men and women

  • Education levels - more women and girls in education, improved literacy levels

  • Gender equality - women would have access to the same opportunities as men e.g. jobs, voting, eduction

  • Freedom of speech - fewer restrictions on media, social media and opinions, more evidence of democracy

  • The management of refugees -  the successful re-housing of refugees in other countries

  • GDP per capita - citizens becoming more wealthy

• Progress in human development is easier to measure than progress in human rights as statistical data is more readily available e.g. literacy rates

Introduction of Demographic Institutions

• For some governments and IGOs (e.g. the UN) taking steps to make a country more democratic is a sign of successful intervention - for example:

  • Iraq, after the US military intervention and removal of the dictator (Saddam Hussein), has moved towards a stronger democracy

    • It now has regular elections to vote for its National Assembly and president

    • The National Assembly wrote a new constitution

• The introduction of democratic institutions and the freedom of expression is vital for future development:

  • A country experiences economic growth when people have the freedom, via democracy and capitalism, to make their own political and economic choices 

  • Human rights, especially for women and well-being, are more likely to be upheld in a democracy than a one-party, authoritarian state

  • Democratic countries are much less likely to go to war with each other, or to resort to internal conflict if political disagreements arise

Steps to creating a stronger democracy

• Most western countries equate freedom and democracy with successful development

• The Human Freedom Index shows the state of human freedom in the world based on broad measures, including personal and economic freedom

• From the map, it is clear that countries with freedom and democracy are less common

Economic Growth

• For some countries the success of geopolitical interventions is measured through economic growth e.g.

  • Singapore, who once received USA aid, is now an important trading partner with the USA, and one of the wealthiest states in the world

• A country that is experiencing economic growth will be able to invest in infrastructure, health, education and environmental protection

• These nations have less regard for holistic development, believing it slows down economic growth

Bangladesh - an example of economic success

• Since the country’s independence in 1971, Bangladesh has been classed as one of the world’s least developed countries 

  • The GDP growth rate was -14%

• It has suffered from political instability, and has been devastated by floods and famine

• However, with its current average GDP growth rate of 8% (more than India), It will soon lose the least developed status and be re-classed as an emerging country

• The role of foreign aid has played an important part in Bangladesh’s economic growth since 2000:

  • As the economy grew there was a shift from humanitarian aid, such as providing food, to more project aid

  • In 2000, 48% of Bangladesh’s development projects (e.g. transport, infrastructure, energy, water supply) were funded by foreign aid

  • In 2019, this had decreased to 32% 

  • Bangladesh has become less reliant on foreign aid

• Foreign aid has helped Bangladesh improve its development indicators since 2000:

  • Life expectancy has increased by 7 years to 72 years

  • Secondary school enrolment rates have increased by 21% to 72%

  • GNI/capita has increased by $1,870 to $2,300

• Bangladesh has a mixed record on human rights, despite its democracy and economic growth there is:

  • Reduction in freedom of expression

  • Sexual abuse and violance against women

  • Poor treatment of the million refugees living in camps