Azerbijan

Your Politics of Development paper will provide an in-depth review of one country that you have selected. Once selected, you will gather information to consider your country’s overall development stance. The following areas should be considered (economic, historical, political and social factors). Additionally, consideration of the UN SDGs and whether your country will meet with their UN SDGs by 2030 should be incorporated. Also, highlight one organization that is making an impact in your country (for example: Save the Children, Peace Corps, or WHO).
See below for overview on paper layout.

Politics of Development papers will include the following sections (sources listed at the end of each section are for use in gathering information and are suggestions):
1. Introduction

2. Historical factors of development
a. Historical overview of your country
b. Colonialism and neocolonialism (was it a former colony?)
c. Consider sources like: historical profiles in CIA World Factbook, Global Issues in Context database

3. Economic factors of development
a. Overall economic strength of your country? (GDP, PPP, key exports and imports)
b. Type of economic system?
c. Barriers for development?
d. Who contributes aid to your country? How is aid distributed? Is it a successfully coordinated distribution?
e. Consider sources like: UN sources, such as the UNDP, OECD, USAID, World Bank

4. Political factors of development
a. Type of political system (today and historically)
b. Leadership (who is in charge, other political influencers)
c. Consider sources like: political profiles in CIA World Factbook, Global Issues in Context database, think tanks like Brookings, Foreign Affairs articles highlighting your country

5. Social factors of development

a. What social issues does the country currently face?
b. Strengths and weaknesses
c. Gender, Race, Identity and any laws that support social factors
d. Education
e. Health
f. Consider sources like: UN sources, current news articles
6. UN SDGs by 2030?
a. Overall progress?
b. Will targets be met?
c. Which targets might be met?
d. Which target will take effort?

7. Organization
a. Highlight one organization that is operating in your country and is making a difference and having a social impact

8. Conclusion

During the first week of class, we will discuss paper ideas. Cases will be selected the following week and only one individual per country. Throughout the course of the semester, we will work through the stages of this paper’s development (see course syllabus for specific deadlines). The papers should involve the background of the issue, an analysis, and specific recommendations for action.
Papers should be 12-15 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point Calibri font.
Sources for this analysis should include your readings, the UN, current articles gathered from newspapers