Chapter 28 Reading Questions

1. Which of the challenges facing post-colonial nations after 1945 do you think were the most critical,
and why?
- One of the reasons why economic challenges were critical is that they
impacted almost every aspect of society. Economic underdevelopment
often meant that there were limited resources to invest in critical areas
such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfaree
programs. It also meant that there were few job opportunities, which led to
high levels of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
- Additionally, economic underdevelopment made it difficult for
post-colonial nations to compete globaly, attract foreign investments, and
participate in international trade. These nations had limited access to
capital, technology, and expertise, which made it challenging to develop
their industries and modernize their economies.
- Economic challenges also tend to lead to political instability, social
unrest, and cultural tension. High levels of poverty, inequality, and
unemployment were often sources of conflict, while economic hardship
created a fertile ground for political unrest, coups, and civil wars.

2. Which of the post- colonial paths to political stability and socioeconomic development do
you think was the most successful, and what factors were the most important in shaping
positive outcomes?
- Good economic policies, because post-colonial countries that
successfully achieved political stability and economic development
implemented sound economic policies that fostered economic growth and
development. These policies is included measures such as promoting
investment in infrastructure, encouraging foreign investment,
implementing market-oriented reforms, and investing in education and
healthcare. This also supports what was mentioned above in the previous
question.
3. How did religious revivalist movements, most especially the one led by Ayatollah Khomeini
in Iran differ from other twentieth-century revolutions? Why was decolonization delayed in
settler societies such as South Africa?
- Religious revivalist movements, such as the one led by Ayatollah
Khomeini in Iran, differed from other twentieth-century revolutions in
several ways. Firstly, religious revivalist movements tend to emphasize a
return to traditional religious values, whereas other revolutionary
movements were often rooted in secular ideologies such as communism or
nationalism. Religious revivalist movements seek to reshape society based
on religious principles, rather than a specific political ideology.
- Religious revivalist movements tend to have a well-liked leader by the
people, who inspires and mobilizes supporters through religious teachings.
The leader is often viewed as a spiritual figure with divine authority, and
this religious legitimacy can be a powerful force for mobilizing supporters
and challenging existing power structures. When they attain power, they
can easily turn it into one of authoritarian and dictatorial rule.