Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Karl Thompson
How do international aid and trade policies shape global development? This page explores key debates relevant to A-level sociology, focusing on three core themes:
- The impact of trade on global development
- The role of foreign aid in reducing poverty
- The contribution and critique of NGOs in international development
Scroll down to explore curated summaries of 10 essential posts, split into two key sections: Trade and Aid.
Trade and Global Development
Arguments for Trade as a Strategy for Development
This post outlines the key arguments in favour of trade as a driver of economic growth and development. It explores how international trade can increase income, create jobs, and improve infrastructure in developing countries. The post also explains how trade liberalisation can boost global integration and competitiveness, aligning with neoliberal theories of development.
Arguments against Trade as a Strategy for Development
This critical post examines the negative impacts of trade on global development, such as dependency, exploitation, and environmental degradation. It explores how unfair trade terms, subsidies, and global market volatility often harm rather than help poorer countries. Ideal for students who want to understand the limitations of trade-based development strategies.
Fair Trade and Development
This article looks at the role of the Fair Trade movement in promoting ethical and sustainable development. It explores how fair trade ensures producers in the Global South receive a living wage, challenges exploitative supply chains, and empowers communities. A useful case study to evaluate trade reform from a development sociology perspective.
Naomi Klein: This Changes Everything – Summary
While not strictly about trade, this summary of Naomi Klein’s work highlights the environmental costs of neoliberal trade policies. It provides a critical framework to assess how capitalist growth models — often promoted through trade — contribute to climate change, inequality, and unsustainable development practices.
Aid and Development
Different Types of Aid in International Development
This post categorises the different types of aid — including bilateral, multilateral, tied aid, and humanitarian assistance — and explores their various impacts on development outcomes. It’s an essential read for understanding the range of foreign aid tools used in global development strategies.
How is UK Development Aid Money Spent? Some Useful Tracking Tools
Focusing on the UK, this post introduces tools to track UK foreign aid spending, offering transparency insights and helping students analyse where money goes and whether it’s effective. It’s particularly useful for examining how governments implement aid commitments in practice.
Arguments for Official Development Aid
This article presents the main arguments in favour of official development assistance, such as reducing poverty, promoting human rights, and stabilising global politics. It provides a strong foundation for justifying aid from a humanitarian and functionalist perspective.
Criticisms of Official Development Aid
A perfect counterpoint to the previous post, this article outlines key criticisms of foreign aid, including corruption, dependency culture, and donor self-interest. This is essential for A-level sociology students evaluating whether aid truly promotes sustainable development.
The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in International Development
This post explains the growing influence of NGOs in international development, highlighting their work in health, education, and human rights. It discusses how NGOs often reach areas where governments or multilateral agencies cannot, making them vital actors in global aid delivery.
NGO Strengths and Limitations
Here you’ll find a balanced evaluation of NGO strengths and weaknesses, including their flexibility and community engagement as well as their reliance on donor funding and political constraints. This post supports a nuanced understanding of the effectiveness of NGOs in aid and development.
Conclusion
Understanding the debates around aid and trade in development sociology is vital for grasping how different actors and strategies shape global inequalities. Whether examining the impact of trade on global development or critiquing foreign aid through the A-level sociology lens, the posts above provide everything you need to deepen your knowledge and refine your critical thinking.
🌍 For a full range of revision resources on theories of development, global inequality, aid, and trade, check out my A level sociology Globalisation and Global Development page .