Industrialisation, Urbanisation & Employment

• Industrialisation


  The development of industry - the transformation of a society from a largely agrarian economy to one based on manufacturing or other mechanised forms of work
• Urbanisation


  The process of people moving from rural areas into towns and cities and accompanying growth (often very rapid growth) of those urban areas
• Industrialisation and urbanisation


  The two processes are linked but distinct
• Industrialisation


  • Can aid the process of modernisation
  • Can limit and hinder the process of development through environmental damage
• Modernisation theory


  The argument that nations need to move from traditional methods of production to more western methods of production (industrialism) in order to develop
• Rostow's five stages of economic growth


  1. Stage 2: Pre-conditions to take off

  2. Stage 4: Drive to maturity
• Industrialisation can be achieved through

  Investing surplus capital<|>Attracting overseas investment in the form of aid or transnational corporations investing in industry
• Industrialisation


  Can lead to environmental problems like deforestation, desertification, air and water pollution, and species extinction
• Industrialisation


  Often accompanied by significant inequality and exploitation of impoverished workers
• Urbanisation


  • Promotes modern norms and values
  • Provides employment opportunities
  • Facilitates social change
  • Improves access to services
• Meritocracy


  The idea that people can achieve status through their own efforts rather than being ascribed status
• Urbanisation


  Can lead to problems like overcrowded housing, disease, child labour, poverty, and exploitation
• Employment in developing countries


  Labour costs are generally much lower than in more developed countries<|>Wages are low, with little employment protection or unionisation<|>Attracts investment from transnational corporations
• Much of the employment in developing countries is low-paid work with long hours, targeting vulnerable workers like women and children</b>
• Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in developing countries allow transnational corporations to operate with minimal or no regulations
• Arguments about whether transnational corporations operating in developing countries benefit those countries or not are rehearsed in another section