1.4 - Dependency Theory

Question 1

Who are the Asian Tigers?

Answer 1

Highly developed economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan – they were the first newly industrialised countries

Question 2

What is the dependency theory?

Answer 2

Resources flows from the periphery to the ‘core,’ thus improving the quality of life for the rich but keeping the poor in a constant state of underdevelopment

Question 3

How is modern exploitation done through international trade?

Answer 3

• Most ex-colonies’ rely on exports to the West
• LEDC’s are dependent on Western demand so if this rises/falls, it affects LEDCS’s greatly
• Western nations limits LEDC trade by setting prices, quotas, tariffs (WTO = USA)

Question 4

What is neo-colonialism?

Answer 4

Using economic, political, cultural power to influence former colonies

Question 5

Does Singapore argue with or against the dependency theory?

Answer 5

Against - Singapore’s economy was helped by the USA/IMF to prevent communism spreading

Question 6

What is the 1st stage of Rowstow’s model?

Answer 6

Traditional society - 1° sector, subsistence, agriculture

Question 7

What is the 2nd stage of Rowstow’s model?

Answer 7

Transition stage - infrastructure, specialisation

Question 8

What is the 3rd stage of Rowstow’s model?

Answer 8

Take off - industrialising, urbanisation, political change, investment

Question 9

What is the 4th stage of Rowstow’s model?

Answer 9

Drive to maturity - innovation, imports, investment, innovation

Question 10

What is the 5th stage of Rowstow’s model?

Answer 10

High mass consumption - consumerism, services, tertiary sector

Question 11

What does the core provide for developing countries?

Answer 11

Aid, pollution, political and economic ideas. TNCs, manufactured goods

Question 12

What does the periphery provide for developed countries?

Answer 12

Brain drain, raw materials, debt repayment, political support, raw materials

Question 13

Who was the theorist who proposed the dependency theory?

Answer 13

Andre Gunder Frank - ‘the development of underdevelopment’

Question 14

How has colonialism created a dependency?

Answer 14

The exploitative relationship continues today between former colonisers + colonised through Western aid and international trade

Question 15

What are the benefits + drawbacks of aid?

Answer 15

+Helps lift people out of poverty
+ Encouraging industrial development
+ Helps save lives after disasters

• ^ risk of corruption
• Dependency on richer countries (aid prevents LEDCs becoming restless)

Question 16

Can the dependency theory be applied to all countries?

Answer 16

The rich / poor world of dependency theory may seem simplistic and some countries (Japan, BRICS, Singapore) have moved out of dependency.

Question 17

How is China using neo-colonialism to gain SP status?

Answer 17

They are investing in Africa in order to gain oil, natural resources etc… Thus forcing African countries (Mozambique, Algeria) to become dependent on them.

Question 18

Is the DT the best explanation for the maintenance of current superpowers?

Answer 18

If MEDCs did not exploit LEDCs as much as they did, then they would not gain so much global power, cheap goods and resources to control world trade