AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

The Development Gap: Revision Notes

Ways of dividing up the world
Traditionally, countries have been divided up into first, second and third world countries. There is a clear north-south divide in the world when looking at how developed countries are (with the exception of Australia and New Zealand). Another simple way of classifying countries is using the terms MEDC and LEDC. However, the world has changed massively in recent years, and some LEDCs were growing at a fast pace. A new category was created, called newly industrialized countries (NIC). Five-fold division based on wealth: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Rich industrializing countries e.g. UK, USA, Japan, Australia, etc. Oil Exporting countries e.g. UAE. New Industrializing countries e.g. India, China. Former centrally planned economies (previous communist systems) e.g. Russia. Heavily indebted poor countries e.g. Chad, Congo.

Measuring development
There are many indicators of development that tell us about countries and allow us to compare them. GDP = Gross domestic product. This is the total value of all goods produced in a country in a year. It is equal to the total consumer, investment and government spending plus exports minus imports. GNP = Gross national product. It is the value of everything a country produces measured in US dollars. GNP measures the output generated by a country's enterprises, whether physically located domestically or abroad, whereas GDP measures the total output produced within a country's borders - whether produced by that country's own firms or not. GNI per capita = Gross national income per capita. It is peoples average income in a country (US dollars). Infant mortality rate = the number of babies (0-12 months) dying per 1000 live births. HDI = Human development index. Life expectancy, GNI per capita and literacy rate are used to calculate it. Limitations of indicators However, each individual measure has its limitations. Each indicator is an average, and fails to account for differences/variations within the country. Also, some aspects of a country will develop faster than others, and using only one indicator will not show this. Some poorer countries may not show accurate figures, especially for economic measures. This may be because in LEDCs, a lot of employment is in the informal sector, and these figures are not recorded by the government.

AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

What factors make global development inequalities worse?

Environmental factors Climate can be a huge obstacle to development. For example, Bangladesh suffers from flooding almost annually, and this causes lots of infrastructure to be destroyed, which inhibits development. Droughts are common in Africa, and these force millions into poverty, which is another obstacle to development, as there is less money to spend on health and education. Limited water supplies lower food production, which causes poverty. Agriculture is affected, and this is a major industry in some countries. Natural hazards force countries to spend huge amounts of money rebuilding, which reduces the money available for development projects. It also reduces peoples quality of life. Few raw materials means the country has fewer products to sell, which means reduced income. This means there will be less money available for development projects. Some countries to have raw materials, but do not have sufficient technology to exploit them. Political factors Unstable governments may cause a lack of investment in healthcare and education, which slows development. Corruption is a major factor that slows development. Corrupt politicians enrich themselves, which leaves less money available for developing the country, and infrastructure, education and health cannot be provided. Corrupt governments are also unstable, and this deters foreign investors and aid providers from investing in the country, as they cannot rely on the money reaching the target. Conflict (war) will cause the country to spend money on fighting rather than improving the economy. Equipment is expensive, infrastructure and buildings are destroyed and less people work as they are fighting. Economic factors Poor trade links will reduce the value of exports, and it will make less money to spend on development. Debt also slows development. This is because any money the country makes will go towards paying the debt (and the interest), and cannot be used for development. Primary products reduce revenue, which slows development. Primary products have a low value as they require low levels of skills. Because they earn little money, the country is kept poor. Social factors Water availability is hugely important. If people do not have safe drinking water, there will be more spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid. This reduces their quality of life. It also puts huge strain on medical facilities in the country, which are already limited. Money is wasted, as these diseases can be avoided if clean water is provided. Water related illnesses also cause children to miss school. If children attended school, they would gain an education, which would help development, as there would be a more skilled workforce.

AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

Womens place in society affects development. If women are equal to men, then they are more likely to be educated and can work. Women who are educated and work have a better quality of life, and the country has more to spend on development as more people are contributing to the economy. Child education levels affects development. More children attending school means they will get a better education, which will result in better jobs. This improves their quality of life and it means the government has more money to spend on development. Water As well as mentioned above, a lack of water can force a country to import water, and imports reduce the GDP of the country and increase their debt. This will slow down development. Biodiversity can be affected vegetation relies on water, but if it is not there, they will die. Desertification can also occur due to water scarcity, which could increase poverty levels.

HAITI CASE STUDY

In 2010, Haiti experienced an earthquake which destroyed lots of infrastructure and killed about 300,000 people. Millions more people lost their homes and were forced into poverty. Haiti is the most corrupt government in the world. $1.1 billion has been collected for Haiti for but only 2% of the money has been released. If all the money had been released, each displaced family could have been given $37,000. Increasing crime and spread of disease are concerns in the temporary camps.

How can global inequality be reduced?

Aid There are many types of aid. Development aid can be beneficial but needs to be managed carefully. Aid Short term aid
Aid which is given to relieve a disaster situation

Advantages
Helps to save lives. It is a lifeline for people in need.

Disadvantages
It is a short term solution. It does not help in the long term.

Example
Cyclone Sidr (Bangladesh) in Nov 2007 killed 500 and left 5 million people without food. Aid helped people survive and recover. Uganda - Community Youth Empowerment scheme. A water tank was built. Gave education, improved life skills and sexual health awareness. Taught energy conservation methods. However, some locals cant afford school fees.

Long term Aid

Aid given over a longer period which aims to promote development.

Leads to development of education, agriculture and healthcare. Involves the community, and it is more likely to be sustainable.

Voluntary Aid
Non-government organizations give money. They are funded

Aid is more effective as it works with local people. Money is not lost due to

May result in tied aid. Donor countries place restrictions on aid, which benefits them. Local people may not have training to operate senior posts e.g. lack of money for fuel. Agricultural change may not be sustainable too much technology. May not be enough to sustain hospitals/schools. Local people may lose land for development projects. Most NGOs are very small and they face a huge challenge.

AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

by donations. They work with local communities and their aid is more effective.

Bilateral Aid
Aid given by one country to another. This is sometimes used for a long term project.

corruption. Once it works, the project can expand due to the government. Sometimes used for large scale projects (e.g. dams). A country gets advice and technology of a country.

The aid given by NGO fluctuates a lot as it relies on public donations. Donor countries can place restrictions on how the money is used (tied aid). Recipient countries may be forced to buy the donor countries products, which mean the money comes back home. Many countries give aid for political reasons. Few countries meet the target of 0.7% of GNI. Sometimes criticized for being out of touch of the peoples needs. The Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. It was set up by the Portuguese in the 1960s. However, it has not helped too many people. Has impacted on fishing industry.

Multilateral Aid
Money from governments is given to international agencies e.g. World Bank. Money is used for development.

Lots of money can be given to fund large scale projects.

Top-down Aid
Co-ordinated by government or international organizations. Giving to the government to improve infrastructure and effects will be passed down.

Bottom-up Aid
NGO aid. Aid is given to locals to improve basic sanitation, health and education.

Makes donor feel in control. Money is not lost to corruption. Aims to improve the country as a whole. Large projects improve infrastructure. NGOs/Individuals give to charity; feel good factor. Feeling of direct link between donor and recipient. Appropriate technology is installed = sustainable. Money not lost by corruption. NGOs work with the communities, who have input.

Projects use large amounts of money, and donors may feel it is wasted. Most ordinary people do not directly benefit. Charity funds may reduce during a recession.

Money given to Iraq and Afghanistan.

BILATERAL AID CASE STUDY Cahora Bassa Dam The Cahora Bassa dam in Mozambique is an example of bilateral aid. It was built by the Portugese in 1960s, but civil war prevented completion of the However, only 1% of homes in Mozambique have a direct electricity supply, and this HEP scheme has not changed this amount by very much. Most of the power is sold to South Africa, which boosts the economy but does not benefit citizens. It could meet most of Mozambiques power needs. On the whole, the dam has increased the economy of the country, but it could produce more than it currently does. Also, it does not benefit the citizens of the country. River flow is very low because water is being held in reservoirs. The local shrimp industry has been destroyed. The local residents have had their livelihoods destroyed and they have not gained at all from the project.

AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

Small and medium scale projects are much more effective. They involve the local community, and money is not lost due to corruption.

Arguments for and against giving aid

For aid Against aid Emergency aid saves lives. Aid also helps to Aid increases the dependency of LEDCs on rebuild housing after disaster. donor countries. Poor countries struggle to repay the money and get into debt. Aid can improve healthcare and water, which leads to better quality of life. Corruption means the money is kept by politicians. Aid does not reach people who Aid allows industrial development, which need it most. creates jobs and improves infrastructure. Large scale projects dont benefit local people.

Debt relief some debt that poorer countries owe can be written off. This means they will have more money to spend on developing. Conservation swap this is an agreement where a poorer countrys debts are written off in exchange for undertaking environmental conservation projects. This can also bring in ecotourism to the country, which mas many benefits to locals and the environment. Fair trade this is where farmers in the developing world get paid a fair price for their goods. They also get some extra money to use more effective ways of growing crops, which has long term benefits, as production is maximized. This is a solution if reducing the levels of poverty around the world. European Union Inequality Case Study: France vs Romania France and Romania are two contrasting EU countries. There are massive differences in the development of these two countries. Here are a few key statistics: France Romania GDP (Per Capita) $40,591 $7,391 Life Expectancy (at Birth) 81.09 72.18 Urban population 77%+ 55.2% Infant mortality rate 3.2 per 1000 live births 10 per 1000 live births GDP growth rate -2.6% -7.1% th HDI ( classification + ranking) 0.872 (very high) (14 ) 0.767 (high) (50th) EU member since 1957 2007 These statistics clearly show a massive different in development between these two countries. In Europe, there is a clear east/west divide between the countries. This is because many East European countries were part of the Soviet communist regime. This totally stalled economic growth, as communist policies are anti-capitalism. France is very developed because of early industrialization. It was one of the first countries to industrialize. Therefore, while the rest of the world (Romania) was still producing primary products, France was manufacturing secondary and tertiary products, which have a much higher value. This boosted the money generated from exports, which led to fast GDP growth.

AQA GCSE Geography A The Development Gap

Imperialism is another factor that aided Frances development in the past. France was able to exploit colonies, and gain resources and workers. The fact that France has been an EU member for longer also shows why it is more developed. France has established better trade links earlier than Romania, and this is important for development. How has the EU tried to reduce inequality? Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) this subsidises EU farmers to produce certain crops, so that there is enough food for the EUs population. It ensures a fair price for farmers, and ensures a good standard of living for them. However, with so many new countries added to the EU, it will be hard to continue paying farmers to produce certain goods. The CAP also places high import taxes on goods from outside the EU, and therefore countries are discouraged to buy from them. However, this has bad effects for poorer countries, which are unable to export their goods. This will mean that EU countries benefit as the expense of others. Structural funds money is given to regions with a GDP per capita lower than 75% of the EU average. This money accelerates economic development so that these regions catch up with others. Employment is provided, which increases the regions GDP per capita. Structural funds and the CAP account for most of the EUs spending.