The Development Gap

• What is development?

  Positive change that makes things better
• What tends to happen as a country develops economically?

  People's standard of living and quality of life will improve.
• What is the development gap?

  The differences in standards of living between countries.
• How is economic development measured?

  GNI - it allows us to classify countries into HIC's, LIC's and NEE's
• How can social development be measured?

  Literacy percentage, life expectancy, doctors per 1000 people.
• What is HDI? What does it aim to do?

  HDI is the human development index, it attempts to combine social and economic measures in a composite index
• What are the limitations of some measures of development?

  • All show an average value for a country which hides inequality.
  • Data can be out of date
  • Can be unreliably collected - especially in countries with corrupt governments
• What does the demographic transition model display?

  The DTM shows the links between population and level of development
• What are physical causes of uneven development?

  • Landlocked countries
  • Experiencing extreme weather
  • Tropical diseases
• What are the economic causes of uneven development?

  Global Trade: Existing rich countries dominate glabal trade. Poorer countries are often held back as they rey on low value raw materials for their wealth. Rich countries want to pay as little as possible for imports
• What are the historical causes of uneven development?

  Colonialism - almost all wealth produced during colonial period went to European powers
• What are the consequences to uneven development?

  Inbalances between rich and poor, disparities in wealth, disparities in health, international migration
• How do disparities in wealth arise?

  The most developed countries, e.g North America, enjoy a greater share of the worlds wealth, this could be a result of colonialism. However, disparity can also been seen within countries; North and South Divide
• How do disparities in health arise?

  Disparities in health are closely linked to development. LIC's are unable to invest in good healthcare, leading to infectious diseases such as malaria and AIDS being the main cause, e.g Nigeria
• How has international migration become a consequence of uneven development?

  Economic migration refers to migrants voluntarily moving to other countries for a better life due to uneven development in their own areas. Refugees are people who have no choice but to leave their countries for their own safety - most natural hazards, brutal governments, and civil wars take place in lesser developed countries
• How can investment reduce the development gap?

  Many countries and TNC's invest money and expertise into LIC's to increase their profits, this supports LIC's development by providing employment and income
• Give an example of investment reducing the development gap

  Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars into Africa - railway construction in Sudan and power plant in Zimbabwe. There are many benefits, however people think Africa's resources are being exploited in order to benefit China's own economy
• How has industrial development reduced the development gap?

  Industrial development brings employment, higher incomes, and opportunities to invest in housing, etc. The population then becomes better educated and healthier, which provides more opportunities to invest in industries and business - this is called the multiplier effect.
• Give an example of industrial development reducing the development gap

  Malaysias seen a massive growth in its wealth since the 1970's. Its made use of foreign investment to exploit its natural resources and develop a thriving manufacturing sector, resulting in a highly developed economy
• How have microfinance loans been used to reduce the devlopment gap?

  Microfinance is small scale financial support. Its available from banks that are set up to help the poor. Microfinance loans enable individuals or families to start up a small business.
• Give an example of how microfinance loans helped reduce the development gap

  The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh lends $200 to village women to buy a mobile phone. Other villagers then pay the women to use the phones
• How has Jamaica reduced the development gap?

  Jamaica has limited opportunities to grow its economy the usual way. However its tropical climate, excellent transport links and beautiful beaches mean tourism has grown significantly
• How has tourism positively impacted Jamaica?

  It contributes to 24% of Jamaicas GDP, generates $2b each year and the taxes paid to the government to help invest in quality of life and infrastructure, main source of employment, provides 200,000 jobs, boosts local economies - people spending money in shops.
• What were the criticisms behind tourism in Jamaica?

  • Cruises dont bring as much money to the island as other forms as tourism as visitors return to their boats.
  • Employment in tourism is often low paid and many people live away from the main tourist areas
  • People live in poor housing lacking access to fresh water, health care and education
  • Puts greater demand on natural resources and cause footpath erosion, excessive waste, and harmful emissions