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

• 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

• 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 (2018)

• 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

• 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