C3 World Sociology (AO2/AO3 & exam skills) Flashcards

Question

**What** are some of the arguments in ***favour*** of **the view that education is the key to development?**

Answer 1

1. Education can lead to more people getting skills which can lead them into higher paid better work. E.g. When the Indonesian government started to use oil revenues to build schools, (1974-8, the INPRES programme), wages grew fastest in regions that received more schools 2. Modernisation Theorists argue that the western model of education can transmit values which are useful to develop a country, e.g. individualism, achievement and competition 3. Counter-Industrial Theorists argue that education, provided it is sensitive to the local context, can empower poor people 4. Education can empower women and also lead to a lower fertility rate and reduced child & infant mortality rates **E.I. - *WHY*** might education lead to economic development? ***WHY*** do Modernisation Theorists and Counter Industrial Theorists have different views on the purpose of education? ***WHY*** might education improve other aspects of human development (e.g. Health)? [https://youtu.be/C7FnNOVGwrA?t=1m12s](https://youtu.be/C7FnNOVGwrA?t=1m12s) [https://youtu.be/88j1rgy5LtQ?t=1m4s](https://youtu.be/88j1rgy5LtQ?t=1m4s)

Answer 2

1. Neoliberals argue that top down investment in education does not *cause* economic development. Rich countries have more education because they can afford it and because people see the worth of it if the economy is growing 2. Education is about inculcating skills but it is also about inculcating a world view. This can create problems if minority groups fear that there is a hidden agenda of cultural assimilation 3. The quality of education is often very poor and parents may not feel that it is worth the opportunity cost to send their children to school 4. Dependency Theorists argue that the ‘hidden curriculum’ of education is often about social control of the poor **E.I. -** ***WHY*** might the claim that education leads to economic development be confusing causation with correlation? ***WHY*** might minority groups be suspicious of national education systems? ***WHY*** is the quality of education often poor? ***WHY*** might education be about social control rather than empowerment? [https://youtu.be/88j1rgy5LtQ?t=5m20s](https://youtu.be/88j1rgy5LtQ?t=5m20s)

Answer 3

►Watch the following screencast for more guidance [https://youtu.be/pM-XshFieao?t=36s](https://youtu.be/pM-XshFieao?t=36s)

Answer 4

1. Modernisation Theory (broadly similar to Liberal Feminism) blames the traditional culture within developing countries for women’s inequality 2. Dependency Theorists argue that colonial powers and missionaries imposed traditional western values about males and females, e.g. a women’s place is in the home 3. Dependency Theorists argue that colonialism brought men into the cash economy of growing cash crops etc. whilst women were side lined into the production of subsistence food. 4. Dependency Theory and Marxist-Feminists argue that the global spread of capitalism requires the exploitation of women (e.g. it is mainly young women who are employed in Export Processing Zones) 5. The focus for radical feminists is the way in which family relationships and male violence are the key source of oppression for women **E.I. - *WHY*** might the source of gender inequalities be traditional culture? ***WHY*** might women be more likely to put up with lower wages and worse conditions than their male counterparts? ***WHY*** do Radical Feminists argue that the ‘personal is political’? [https://youtu.be/Y5DpWAIPxwk?t=27s](https://youtu.be/Y5DpWAIPxwk?t=27s)

Answer 5

1. Modernisation Theorists would argue that this can help move nations away from ineffective and unscientific traditional health care practices 2. Western expertise and technology can be brought into developing countries 3. A key strength of this approach is its potential scale of impact – mass vaccination programmes, for example have had a particularly potent effect **E.I. - *WHY*** might some indigenous people be distrustful of western health care practices? ***WHY*** might the use of aid be essential in establishing these systems and technology? [https://youtu.be/axMh1uz77b8?t=5m3s](https://youtu.be/axMh1uz77b8?t=5m3s)

Answer 6

1. Western style hospitals may be too costly for developing countries. There are likely to be shortages of medicines and reliable equipment 2. Dependency Theorists note that TNCs (‘Big Pharma’) are reluctant to sell medicine at affordable prices or to let them manufacture their own generic versions 3. There is poor funding by western TNCs into medicines and treatments that would improve health in developing countries 4. There is no financial incentive for doctors to work in poor rural areas – or indeed in developing countries at all, hence the ‘brain drain’ of doctors & nurses 5. Adopting a Western style system based on highly trained staff, technology and hospitals in cities can leave those in rural areas with little access to healthcare **E.I. - *WHY*** might the imposition of SAPs on developing countries exacerbate these problems? ***WHY*** is there poor funding by TNCs into medicines that would help developing countries? ***WHY*** might community based primary healthcare be a better alternative? [https://youtu.be/axMh1uz77b8?t=7m14s](https://youtu.be/axMh1uz77b8?t=7m14s)

Answer 7

►Watch the following screencast for more guidance [https://youtu.be/pM-XshFieao?t=7m58s](https://youtu.be/pM-XshFieao?t=7m58s)

Answer 8

1. Globalisation has led to **new economic relationships** between countries which has **created new jobs** in the developing world. E.g. **TNC’s** are moving much of their production activities to developing countries 2. **Neoliberals** argue that **global capitalism** has **lifted living standards** around the world and this has had a positive impact on human development (e.g. life expectancy). People are wealthier and healthier than there were before 3. According to **Ricardo international trade** can benefit all countries provided they specialise in goods and services where they have a **comparative advantage** (i.e. those that have the lowest opportunity cost) 4. **Cultural globalisation** involves the spread of western values which **Modernisation theorists** argue can help poorer countries catch up with the developed world **E.I. *WHY*** is globalisation linked to strong economic development in China and India? ***WHY*** should countries specialise in goods and services where they have a comparative advantage? ***WHY*** might the spread of western values help poorer countries? [https://youtu.be/2snqfnp7dh8?t=5m41s](https://youtu.be/2snqfnp7dh8?t=5m41s) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQkkhZfIcjk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQkkhZfIcjk) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTP0RtvImjU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTP0RtvImjU)

Answer 9

1. **Dependency Theorists** argue that the jobs created by economic globalisation are very poorly paid and often rely on the super-exploitation of female and child labour (e.g. **Export Processing Zones**) 2. **Economic globalisation widens the gap between rich and poor** – even if some developing countries benefit, the rich world, or at least the majority there, benefit even more and the poorest are excluded. **Oxfam** claim that the world's richest 1% own as much wealth as the rest of the world combined. 3. **Counter-industrial theorists** argue that global capitalism in its present form is **environmentally unsustainable** and that developing countries will experience the worst effects of **climate change** 4. **Cultural globalisation** is in reality a form a form of **cultural imperialism** – i.e. it is seen as destroying local cultures through a process of **McDonaldisation** **E.I. - *WHY*** might globalisation exacerbate inequalities both between and within countries? ***WHY*** might globalisation lead to more environmental problems? ***WHY*** might globalisation be viewed as a form of cultural imperalism? [https://youtu.be/2snqfnp7dh8?t=7m48s](https://youtu.be/2snqfnp7dh8?t=7m48s)

Answer 10

1. **Modernisation theorists** would argue that urbanisation needs to occur because companies will invest in cities where there are more people so they can have a big labour force, if more people move there then more companies can invest, GDP rises and a country develops 2. Modernisation theorists argue that urbanisation can **help the young** break free of the very traditional norms and values that rural life is often based upon 3. Large amounts of people moving to the cities will force the **development of essential services and infrastructure** to care for them 4. It is more efficient to provide **health and education** to a concentrated urban population rather than a sparsely populated rural one **E.I. - *WHY*** can essential services be delivered more efficiently in cities? ***WHY*** might modernisation theory allow developing countries to overcome their cultural barriers? [https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=8m20s](https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=8m20s)

Answer 11

1. Urbanisation has negative effects on **family structures** and values. Young people would be the ones more likely to move to cities for work, they would leave their rural families behind who largely survive on farming. The farms would suffer from the youths moving away and the family structures would become looser 2. In many developing cities **the economy is not growing fast enough** to provide employment opportunities to the population. Many people are **unemployed and under-employed** and this can be a cause of **crime** and other urban problems 3. Urbanisation in the developing world is rushed and rapid, **infrastructure cannot be built** at the same time as people are coming in. This results in slums, poor health conditions from hospitals not being able to cope, education services failing and sanitation breaking down 4. **Environmentalists** would argue that air pollution and other environmental problems are caused by rapid urbanisation in the developing world **E.I. - *WHY*** are environmental problems caused by rapid urbanisation? ***WHY*** does urbanisation not necessrily cause economic growth? [https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=9m53s](https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=9m53s) [https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=3m3s](https://youtu.be/vr6gIjbMAjc?t=3m3s)

Answer 12

1. **Malthusians** believe that global population growth surpasses food supply because food supply goes up **arithmetically** (1,2,3,4...) whereas population doubles and grows **geometrically** (1,2,4,8...) 2. Malthusians argue we need to curb population growth otherwise it will lead to famines and wars over food (‘**malthusian checks**’) 3. **Neo-Malthusians** believe that population growth is the main cause of poverty. It leads to economic issues, uncontrollable urbanisation and wars/environmental damage. On current trends the population of the poorest region of the world Sub-Saharan Africa may increase from 1 billion to 4 billion people by the end of the century 4. For example, we can see by looking at **urbanisation** that **infrastructure cannot support so many people.** It will lead to shanty towns, lack of education/healthcare/sanitation to support so many people and developing nations will regress into under-development **E.I.** ***WHY*** is population growing fastest in the least developed countries? ***WHY*** does population increase geometrically? [https://youtu.be/wAo-0EGUEBU?t=3m35s](https://youtu.be/wAo-0EGUEBU?t=3m35s)

Answer 13

1. It is not population getting out of hand that is going to lead to famines and war over food, because as **Boserup** has shown agricultural advances will deal with population growth 2. The real issue is **environmental damage** and over use of land that causes famines and food crisis. Food needs to be sourced and grown sustainably 3. It could be argued that population growth is not the cause of poverty and lack of development but it is in fact the result of these issues. The **Demographic Transition Model** shows that the birth rate is very high in poor countries that have high infant & child mortality rates 4. The real issue is high levels of consumption in the developed world rather than over-population in the developing world **E.I. *WHY*** might 'necessity be the mother of invention' in relation to growing the supply of food? ***WHY*** might high population growth be a symptom of poverty rather than its cause? ***WHY*** might consumption in the developed world be a bigger problem than population growth in the developing world? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkSO9pOVpRM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkSO9pOVpRM) [https://youtu.be/wAo-0EGUEBU?t=5m44s](https://youtu.be/wAo-0EGUEBU?t=5m44s)

Answer 14

1. **Dependency theory** would argue that ethnic inequalities are often a long term legacy of the **divide and rule** policies associated with colonialism. For example, the ethnic divide between the **Hutus and the Tutsis** in **Rwanda**, (which eventually led to geneocide in 1994), was due to a **Belgian myth** about the racial superiority of the Tutsis 2. In contrast **Modernisation theorists** argue that it is often the **traditional culture** that causes ethnic inequalities rather than colonialism. For example in **India** the **Caste system** of social stratification has helped to reproduce and legitimate prejudice and discrimination towards poorer ethnic groups. This is a traditional feature of India culture rather than something that can be blamed on the British. 3. Neoliberals would argue that **aid** is often diverted into **internal military conflicts** that help to perpetuate ethnic divisions and inequalities. E.g. many people suspect that in **Uganda** Musevini (the nation's leader) has never been serious about capturing Joseph Kony. Maintaining the conflict with the **Lord’s Resistance Army** allowed Musevini to get more **military aid** from countries like the **USA** whilst continuing a conflict that has devastated the lives of northern ethnic groups in Uganda such as the **Acholi** 4. **People-centred approaches** would argue that **top down development** often overlooks the needs of minority ethnic groups. For example **national education systems** may sometimes be designed without recognition of the needs of some ethnic groups (e.g. in terms of their language, pre-existing knowledge and culture) **E.I. - *WHY*** is ethnic inequality a drag on global economic growth? ***WHY*** might a national education system be viewed suspicioulsy by some ethnic minorities? [http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2015/jan/20/ethnic-inequality-widespread-global-economy](http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2015/jan/20/ethnic-inequality-widespread-global-economy) [https://youtu.be/FNEh\_WRvPQw?t=5m14s](https://youtu.be/FNEh_WRvPQw?t=5m14s) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWzR2zxjVWU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWzR2zxjVWU)

Answer 15

1. Marginalisation may result from **poverty** and **lack of access to services**. Collectively these factors can create a **poverty trap** for marginalised groups 2. The **poor in isolated rural areas** are at **particular risk of marginalisation** as these areas tend to be the most **socially disadvantaged** (e.g. in relation to **access to education** and **health services**) 3. Poverty and marginalisation affect some groups more than others; **women, the uneducated, minority ethnic groups and the disabled** (i.e. groups that according to **Weberian theory** have ***less*** **status**) 4. For example in some societies **women** might be **denied the right to education** or **legal rights** relating to the **ownership of property** 5. The **starkest manifestation of the marginalisation of women** in some highly patriarchal countries highlighted by **Sen** is the **‘missing women’ phenomenon**: Perhaps 200 million ‘missing women’, some not born, some dying of cumulative neglect. Some people have called this **‘gendercide’.** This phenomenon is most pronounced in **South Asia** (e.g. China, India and Pakistan). 6. **Minority ethnic groups** such as the **Karamojong** in Uganda, or the **Kurds** In Turkey, may fear that **‘cultural assimilation’** is the aim of **compulsory schooling**. They fear that they may lose their own culture as a result and therefore **socially exclude themselves from formal education** **E.I. - *WHY*** is there likely to be more poverty and fewer services in rural areas? ***WHY*** are marginalised groups likely to be socially excluded from mechanisms of power and influence (e.g. politics)? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWzR2zxjVWU&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWzR2zxjVWU&t=1s) [https://youtu.be/0i3SmKYPUI8?t=4m39s](https://youtu.be/0i3SmKYPUI8?t=4m39s)

Answer 16

1. Poor countries are **repaying debt** (with interest) to already wealthy banks and governments rather than spending money on **infrastructure** or **health** and **education**. This can **inhibit** both **economic** and **human development** 2. Often organisations such as the **World Bank** or the **IMF** which made the loans have demanded **strict conditions** for repayment (e.g. **SAPs**) that have made the daily life of people in developing countries more difficult 3. As a result of these loans, they now have to pay the money back (with interest) but with limited resources and means to do so. This has led these countries to become **dependent on wealthy countries for aid and further loans**. 4. According to **Dependency Theory** this has led poorer countries to become **dependent on western capitalism and on western companies** who are therefore able to **exploit** and further **under-develop** these countries 5. **Dependency Theorists** such as **Andre Gunder Frank** and **Teresa Hayter** have argued that this debt is creating a system of **neo-colonialism** that is not as obvious as the empires of the past but just as powerful **E.I. - *WHY*** might it be argued that the third world debt crisis is a new form of colonialism? ***WHY*** might the third world debt crisis make a mockery of international aid? ***WHY*** is the issue of third world debt a profound moral issue for many campaigners? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ8vjRJJoeU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ8vjRJJoeU)

Answer 17

1. The **International Labour Organisation (ILO),** part of the **United Nations**, claims that the employment situation is deteriorating in many developing regions of the world. This has been **exacerbated** by the effects of the **2008 global economic crisis** 2. For example the **ILO** claims that unemployment and underemployment are a significant problem in **Latin America** (currently the most **urbanised region of the world**). This is causing **urban social problems** such as poverty, crime and violence 3. As manufacturing within factories makes more use of **automated processes** (robots, machines etc.) job losses increase 4. Increasing numbers of people around the world are in work that is **precarious** or **casual**. This can create chronic stress and can suddenly lead to people losing their jobs or hours 5. In developing countries there is more work done in the ‘**informal sector’** due to the lack of paid employment opportunities e.g. self-employment, micro-enterprises, petty trading, casual and irregular work and personal services. **E.I. - *WHY*** has the global economic crisis of 2008 had an effect on unemployment around the world? ***WHY*** is unemployent linked to social problems such as crime and political extremism? ***WHY*** might it be difficult to get accurate data on employment rates in some developing countries? [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-19298405/quarter-egypts-youth-unemployed](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-19298405/quarter-egypts-youth-unemployed)