Does being independent have a negative or positive effect on the development of a country?

Answer 1

Being independent can go either way.

Often independence brings with it a renewed focus to develop and pioneer modern industries whereas previously the area may have been a backwater for a larger empire. A good example for this would be Croatia, which modernized significantly after being granted independence from Serbia and the other Jugoslav States. This would be seen as positive.

However, in many areas, the wealth of an occupier is far greater than the moneys that a newly independent nation can muster to provide for internal development. After independence in 1962, Algeria has not made many structural improvements to the previous French infrastructure.

Answer 2

Independence can have both positive and negative effects on a country's development. On one hand, independence can foster a sense of national pride, self-governance, and sovereignty, which can drive economic growth and social progress. On the other hand, independence may also lead to challenges such as political instability, economic dependency, and social unrest, which can hinder development. Ultimately, the impact of independence on a country's development depends on various factors such as governance, policies, resources, and external influences.