As many countries make economic strides, equality and sustainability remain important challenges.
What Is Development?
Many countries have made economic strides, thanks to technology and trade, but others still face challenges.
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5:14
Understanding the Last Fifty Years of Global Development
Is the world better off than it was fifty years ago, and what drives these changes?
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Two Koreas, Two Development Policies
How did two countries with the same language, culture, and history turn out so differently?
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Technology and Development
As Great Britain’s Industrial Revolution and India’s green revolution have shown, technological innovation can drive extraordinary development.
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4:08
A Brief History of U.S. Foreign Aid
Where and why the United States gives foreign aid has changed over time.
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The Sustainable Development Goals
The SDGs are sustainable, interconnected, and global. To achieve these goals, countries need to cooperate.
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Development Reading List
Supplemental readings and other resources to help you explore a full range of issues and debates related to the module materials.
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How Development Affects You
Development can be aided by countries, individuals, and international organizations alike.
Source: Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters
The Small Study in Rwanda That Could Change the Way the U.S. Does Foreign Aid
A new study shows that cash may be more effective than even meticulously implemented foreign aid programs.
Source: Matthew Knight/Pool via Reuters
Why Foreign Aid is Getting Better at Saving Lives
Billionaire do-gooders get a lot of flak. In his book, Raj Kumar argues that they’ve helped change global health work for the better.
Source: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters
Foreign Aid Makes America Safer
Evidence indicates that even unrelated foreign aid investments can increase global security.
Source: Gin Lane Media via Behance under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
The Future of Fashion in One Word: Plastics
Fashion companies are turning to recycled materials to earn and keep customers.
More From CFR
The World Bank Group’s Role in Global Development
The World Bank Group is an important part of the fight against global poverty.
Photo: Adam Dean/Reuters
The IMF: The World’s Controversial Financial Firefighter
Despite its shortcomings, the IMF provides international organization to manage global financial crises.
Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via Reuters
How Does the U.S. Spend Its Foreign Aid?
The United States foreign aid budget breakdown tilts towards certain countries and types of spending.
Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters
