Causes of LD Flashcards
BI
The world issue I have studied is limited development
Level of development in a country is how we measure how a country might be doing in comparison to another
Social, economic and political
LOF
High prevalence of preventable diseases, lack of quality education, external debt, poor infrastructure, corrupt governments, incompetent governments
LOA
No one single factor is responsible for LD but one is the most prevalent
P1
One cause of limited development is high prevalence of preventable disease
P1 explain (key points)
When people suffer, productivity decreases and cost of healthcare rises
Money that should be used to improve the country is redirected to healthcare, so country can’t advance
Malaria = life-threatening mosquito born disease.
need to take time off of work to recover, national govs can’t have progressive taxation system
P1 example
Pakistan has high prevalence of malaria. Average life expectancy is just 66 years compared to the U.K’s 80.9. Less healthy working years which can contribute to underdevelopment.
P1 analysis
Countries that have a significant portion of their population ill are more likely to be underdeveloped as people can’t work so services can’t improve and economy is poor as no progressive taxation system
P2
Furthermore, another social factor is lack of quality education
P2 explain (key points)
Lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, outdated teaching materials, shortage of learning resources can reduce effectiveness of education in preparing citizens for the world of work.
Often face challenges finding employment & live in poverty
Leads to economic stagnation and gov earns less in taxes so can’t develop country
P2 example
35 million children are missing from education in Sub-Saharan Africa
P2 analysis
More likely to face LD as large majority of population are unable to work in well-paying and high skilled jobs.
Leads to economic stagnation and high rates of poverty
P1 + P2 link
Both factors = significant
High prevalence of preventable disease as prime working age individuals affected which has a knock-on impact on their families as no income means they can’t support them
P3
An economic factor that causes limited development is external debt
P3 explain (key points)
Less economically developed nations have to borrow money from richer countries or organisations like The World Bank
Loans have high interest rates so debt repayment takes over public spending so country can’t improve
Leads to economic instability, reduced investor confidence and hinder ability of gov to implement effective development policies, perpetuating LLD
P3 example
Albania’s debt as a percentage of GDP was 67.6%. Albania = 4th poorest country in Europe
Albania struggles to pay for social provisions and has issues with electricity provision, high crime rates and poor modern technology
P3 analysis
Countries who have high level of debt are more likely to be underdeveloped as gov can’t invest to progress their country as they have to focus on debt repayment
P4
Countries who have poor infrastructure are often affected by limited development
P4 explain (key points)
Countries are slower + less reliable compared to countries with quality infrastructure
Access to basic services decreases
People can’t work or work in safe + well built buildings, leads to economic instability and basic services can’t improve
P4 examples
Afghanistan’s infrastructure has largely been destroyed during years of conflict and there has been virtually no development in this sector.
The World Bank reports that infrastructure in Africa ranks at the bottom as only 57% of the population has access to infrastructure
P4 analysis
Countries with poor infrastructure at a disadvantage as many citizens can’t work or have access to basic services which significantly increases chances of facing LD
P3 + P4 link
Both factors = major
Poor infrastructure = more as high unemployment rates and lack of access to services
Perpetuates cycle of LD
P5
One political factor that causes limited development is corrupt governments
P5 explain (key points)
Political corruption - people in power abuse their power for own benefit
LD countries often don’t have a democratic voting system so politicians can make decisions that only benefit them, often at detriment to public services
P5 example
the World Economic Forum states that $3.6 trillion is lost each year due to corrupt governments so key services cannot be developed
P5 analysis
Clearly proves countries with corrupt govs more likely to face LD as money which is meant to be used to improve the country is intentionally mismanaged to benefit very few in society
P6
Additionally, incompetent governments are also a significant cause of limited development
P6 explain (key points)
People in charge may not have skills, knowledge or experience needed to effectively run the country and meet needs of the people.
Can’t be trusted to deliver important services and often make choices that aren’t in the best interest of the country
Inefficient management of resources leading to economic instability, hindered infrastructure development, reduced investment into critical sectors
P6 examples
The African monument of Resistance costed Senegal $27.7 million meanwhile 47% of its population was living in poverty which shows that this money could have been better allocated
P6 analysis
Countries controlled by incompetent governments likely to face LD as money which could be better used elsewhere is mismanaged and not placed into things which would allow the country to escape LD
P5 + P6 link
Both factors = major
Corrupt govs = bigger as it’s intentional and purposefully causes LD
Conclusion
Most significant factor is corrupt governments as they are able to solve limited development as they’re able to invest into key sectors but choose not to for their own financial gain
