The post-war decades saw rapid economic growth in Western nations and Japan, yet most newly independent developing countries remained on the margins of this prosperity. Analyse how this unequal growth shaped the political and economic demands that developing nations made on the international order. In your answer, refer to the role of international institutions, trade structures, and any collective initiatives taken by these countries.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 15:02 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Post-war decades saw Western nations and Japan grow rapidly under the Bretton Woods system, with world trade growing over 8% annually (1950–1970). However, most newly independent developing nations were left behind, burdened by poverty and the legacy of colonial rule.
The IMF and World Bank were originally designed for industrial countries' needs, not to address underdevelopment. Former colonial powers and powerful MNCs continued to exploit developing countries' natural resources cheaply, maintaining economic dominance even after political independence.
In response, developing nations organised themselves as the Group of 77 (G-77) to demand a New International Economic Order (NIEO). Their key demands included:
- Real control over their natural resources
- Greater development assistance
- Fairer prices for raw materials
- Better market access for their manufactured goods in developed countries
Source: Decolonisation and Independence, Chapter 3, Section 4.3
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Explanation
- The examiner expects you to link unequal growth → collective response logically.
- Name the G-77 and NIEO explicitly — these are key terms that carry marks.
- Mention the role of Bretton Woods institutions (IMF/World Bank) and their limitations for developing countries.
- Briefly reference MNCs and colonial powers retaining control over resources — this covers "trade structures."
- Do not over-explain; 5 marks = ~5 focused points, not lengthy paragraphs.