A country's development is strongly shaped by accountability, transparency, and political stability. They determine whether resources are used effectively, citizens can challenge decisions, and governments can sustain long-term policies.
How the Factors Affect Development
In the Development and Sustainability thematic study, development is contested and multidimensional. It includes economic growth, poverty reduction, health, education, equality, and political participation, not gross domestic product growth alone.
| Political factor | Mechanism | Contemporary example |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | Elections, courts, auditors, media, and civil society require decision-makers to justify actions. Oversight can reduce corruption and direct spending toward public services. | Botswana's auditor general audits mineral-revenue reports. Strong governance helped channel diamond revenue into education, health, and social assistance, although inequality and mining-transparency gaps remain. |
| Transparency | Public access to budgets, contracts, and officials' interests helps citizens identify corruption or waste. It can strengthen institutional legitimacy and investor confidence. | Transparency International found that over two-thirds of 180 countries scored below out of in its 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, showing widespread public-sector corruption risks. |