Countries: NATIONS IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION

Question 1

The latest available comparison shows that with … of every 1,000 live-born babies dying in the first year of life, the US does not figure among the top … nations.

Answer 1

So how does the United States rank among the world’s roughly 200 nations? The latest available comparison shows that with 6 of every 1,000 live-born babies dying in the first year of life, the US does not figure among the top 25 nations. Its infant mortality is far higher than in France (4), Germany (3), and Japan (2). And the US rate was 50 percent higher than in Greece (4), a country portrayed in the press as an utter basket case ever since the financial crisis.

Question 2

Life expectancy:

USA … ?
Germany, UK, Canada: … ?

USA world position?

Answer 2

Life expectancy:

USA: 78
Germany, UK, Canada: 81

USA world position: 28th

Question 3

Infant mortality:

USA … ?
Germany, UK: … ?
Canada: … ?

USA world position?

Answer 3

Infant mortality:

USA: 6
Germany, UK: 3
Canada: 4

USA world position: 33rd

Question 4

Obesity:

USA … ?
Germany: …?
UK: … ?
Canada: … ?

USA world position?

Answer 4

Obesity:

USA: 30
Germany: 16
UK: 20
Canada: 18

USA world position: 1st

Question 5

Happiness:

USA world position?

Answer 5

Happiness:

USA world position: 19th

Question 6

WHat were the first countries of EEC (european union name at that time)? - 6 countries

Answer 6

On January 1, 1958, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany jointly formed the European Economic Community (EEC) with the aim of economic integration and free trade within a customs union.

Question 7

What was EEC founded?

Answer 7

On January 1, 1958, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany jointly formed the European Economic Community (EEC) with the aim of economic integration and free trade within a customs union.

Question 8

Which countries were accepted in EEC in 1973? - 3 countries

Answer 8

the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark in 1973

Question 9

Which countries were accepted in EEC in 1981 nad 1986? - 3 countries

Answer 9

Greecein 1981; Spain and Portugal in 1986

Question 10

In …, the Maastricht Treaty established the European Union

Answer 10

In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty established the European Union

Question 11

in …, a common currency, the euro, was created; and … nations now belong to the Union. (2020)

Answer 11

in 1999, a common currency, the euro, was created; and 27 nations now belong to the Union.

Question 12

The EU has just over … million people, less than 7 percent of the global population, but it generates nearly … percent of the world’s economic output, as against … percent for the United States.

Answer 12

The EU has just over 500 million people, less than 7 percent of the global population, but it generates nearly 24 percent of the world’s economic output, as against 22 percent for the United States.

Question 13

EU accounts for nearly … percent of global exports of goods—a third more than the United States—including cars, airliners, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. Moreover, half of its 27 members are among the top 30 countries in terms of quality of life, as measured by the United Nations’ Human Development Index.

Answer 13

EU accounts for nearly 16 percent of global exports of goods—a third more than the United States—including cars, airliners, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. Moreover, half of its 27 members are among the top 30 countries in terms of quality of life, as measured by the United Nations’ Human Development Index.

Question 14

The UKhas not been self-sufficient in food production for a few centuries, and its dependency on imports has doubled from about … percent in the early 1980s to … percent in recent years

Answer 14

The UKhas not been self-sufficient in food production for a few centuries, and its dependency on imports has doubled from about 20 percent in the early 1980s to 40 percent in recent years

Question 15

In 2018, manufacturing accounted for … percent of the British GDP, compared to … percent in Canada, … percent in the US, and, respectively, 19, 21, and 27 percent in such remaining manufacturing superpowers as Japan, Germany, and South Korea … and 32 percent in Ireland, whose share now beats even China’s … percent. Yet, again, no overnight switch in political arrangements can turn this historic tide.

Answer 15

The UK—once the unrivaled inventor and pioneer of modern science-based manufacturing (it is the country of Michael Faraday, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, James Clerk Maxwell and Charles Algernon Parsons, after all)—is already more deindustrialized than Canada, historically the least industrialized Western nation.

In 2018, manufacturing accounted for 9 percent of the British GDP, compared to 10 percent in Canada, 11 percent in the US, and, respectively, 19, 21, and 27 percent in such remaining manufacturing superpowers as Japan, Germany, and South Korea … and 32 percent in Ireland, whose share now beats even China’s 29 percent. Yet, again, no overnight switch in political arrangements can turn this historic tide.

Question 16

The country’s old-age dependency ratio (number of people 65 and older as a share of all economically active people 20–64 years of age), standing at 32 percent in 2020—still slightly lower than in France or Germany—will increase to 47 percent by the year 2050.

Answer 16

The country’s old-age dependency ratio (number of people 65 and older as a share of all economically active people 20–64 years of age), standing at … percent in 2020—still slightly lower than in France or Germany—will increase to … percent by the year 2050.

Question 17

And there is an even more fundamental problem. In the long run, the fortunes of nations are determined by population trends. Japan is not only the world’s fastest-aging major economy (already every … person is older than 65, and by 2050 that share will be nearly .. percent)

Answer 17

And there is an even more fundamental problem. In the long run, the fortunes of nations are determined by population trends. Japan is not only the world’s fastest-aging major economy (already every fourth person is older than 65, and by 2050 that share will be nearly 40 percent),

Question 18

Japan’s population is also declining. Today’s 127 million will shrink to … million by 2050, and forecasts show shortages of the young labor force needed in construction and healthcare.

Answer 18

its population is also declining. Today’s 127 million will shrink to 97 million by 2050, and forecasts show shortages of the young labor force needed in construction and healthcare.

Question 19

When the japanese economy started to decline?

Answer 19

Some countries had a relatively prolonged plateau followed by steady decline (both the British empire and the 20th-century United States fit this pattern); others had a swift rise to a brief peak, followed by a more or less rapid decline. Japan is clearly in the latter category. Its swift post–Second World War ascent ended in the late 1980s, and it’s been downhill ever since: in a single lifetime, from misery to an admired—and feared—economic superpower, then on to the stagnation and retreat of an aging society.

Question 20

When did China started its path to No. 1 status in the world economy?

Answer 20

The path to No. 1 status began in 1978, when the country embraced economic modernization, leaving behind three decades of gross mismanagement. For decades China has been the world’s largest producer of grain, coal, and cement, and for years the leading exporter of manufactured goods in general and consumer electronics in particular. There’s nothing surprising about this: China’s population is the world’s largest (1.4 billion in 2016), and its new, modernized economy requires commensurately large outputs.

Question 21

What is China per capita GDP? which place in the world?

Answer 21

But in relative terms, China is hardly rich: the World Bank’s generously calculated PPP put the country’s per capita GDP at $19,504 in 2019, or 73rd in the global ranking, behind Montenegro and Argentina and just ahead of the Dominican Republic, Gabon, and Barbados—hardly a stunning placement. Everyone knows of therich Chinese who buy real estate in Vancouver and London and diamond-encrusted watches at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, but they constitute a tiny minority.

Question 22

Is the air quality improving in China?

according to the World Health Organization, the maximum acceptable level of particulates with diameters under 2.5 nanometers is 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air, but many Chinese cities have repeatedly exceeded … μg/m3.

Answer 22

The GDP and the number ofnouveaux richesare misleading measures of the actual quality of life in China. The environment has kept on deteriorating. Air pollution in the country’s cities is incredibly bad: according to the World Health Organization, the maximum acceptable level of particulates with diameters under 2.5 nanometers is 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air, but many Chinese cities have repeatedly exceeded 500 μg/m3. Some cities have even seen maximums above 1,000. In 2015, Beijing averaged 80 μg/m3, compared with less than 10 for New York City. Such extremely high levels of pollution increase the incidence of respiratory and heart diseases, and shorten expected lifespans.

Question 23

Arable land per capita in China? Bigger than in India?

Answer 23

The country has less arable land per capita than India, and unlike the much smaller Japan, it could never rely largely on imports.

Question 24

How many % of oil and gas natural resources China import? What about the US?

Answer 24

China’s oil and natural gas resources are inferior to the US endowment, with recent crude oil imports accounting for more than 60 percent of total consumption, while the US is now only a minor importer.

Question 25

Is China going to thrive in the next decades?

Finally, the country’s population is aging rather rapidly—that’s why the Communist Party abandoned its one-child-per-couple policy in … —and, as a result, its demographic advantage is already receding. The ratio of economically active to economically dependent people peaked in … , and as the ratio declines, so will China’s industrial dynamism.

Answer 25

Probably not.

Finally, the country’s population is aging rather rapidly—that’s why the Communist Party abandoned its one-child-per-couple policy in 2015—and, as a result, its demographic advantage is already receding. The ratio of economically active to economically dependent people peaked in 2010, and as the ratio declines, so will China’s industrial dynamism.

Question 26

China’s prediction for years 2020-2050 is comparable to Japan in years …

Answer 26

We’ve seen it all before. Compare the Japan of 1990, whose rise appeared to challenge the entire Western world, with the Japan of 2020, after 30 years of economic stagnation (seeCONCERNS ABOUT JAPAN’S FUTURE,p. 69). This is perhaps the best insight into the likely contrast between the China of 2020 and that of 2050.

Question 27

At least since the unraveling of the Roman empire, successive Chinese dynasties have ruled over more people than any other government. China had about … million people in 1912, when imperial rule ended; … million in 1949, when the Communists took power; … billion by the year 2000; and about … billion by the end of 2019. The slowing growth rate is the direct result of the one-child policy, adopted in … and ended in .. (see the previous chapter).

Meanwhile, India’s population expanded from …million in 1950 to …. billion in 2000, and to …. billion by the end of 2019.

Answer 27

At least since the unraveling of the Roman empire, successive Chinese dynasties have ruled over more people than any other government. China had about 428 million people in 1912, when imperial rule ended; 542 million in 1949, when the Communists took power; 1.27 billion by the year 2000; and about 1.4 billion by the end of 2019. The slowing growth rate is the direct result of the one-child policy, adopted in 1979 and ended in 2015 (see the previous chapter).

Meanwhile, India’s population expanded from 356 million in 1950 to 1.05 billion in 2000, and to 1.37 billion by the end of 2019.

Question 28

China’s edge has been shrinking fast—and, given the reliability of short-term demographic forecasts, it seems clear that India will surpass China’s total no later than … (according to the latest UN median forecast), and perhaps as early as ….

Answer 28

China’s edge has been shrinking fast—and, given the reliability of short-term demographic forecasts, it seems clear that India will surpass China’s total no later than 2025 (according to the latest UN median forecast), and perhaps as early as 2023.

Question 29

Meanwhile, it is fascinating to compare the two giga-states. Both countries selectively abort many girls, creating abnormal sex ratios at birth. The normal ratio is1.06 males per one female, but India stands at …and China at ….

Answer 29

Meanwhile, it is fascinating to compare the two giga-states. Both countries selectively abort many girls, creating abnormal sex ratios at birth. The normal ratio is1.06 males per one female, but India stands at 1.12 and China at 1.15.

Question 30

India vs China:

Infant mortality?
Happiness ranking (out of 180)?
Corruption ranking (out of 180)?
Life expectancy?

Answer 30

India vs China:

Infant mortality: 30 - 7.4
Happiness ranking (out of 180): 140 - 93
Corruption ranking (out of 180): 80 - 80
Life expectancy: 70 - 77

Question 31

The most and least corrupted country?

Answer 31

Denmark is the least corrupt and Somalia the most

Question 32

Index measuring inequality?

In both countries, economic inequality as measured by the … index is very high—about … in India and … in China (compared to 25 in Denmark, 33 in the UK, and 38 in the US).

Answer 32

In both countries, economic inequality as measured by the Gini index is very high—about 48 in India and 51 in China (compared to 25 in Denmark, 33 in the UK, and 38 in the US).

Question 33

China’s per capita average, measured in terms of purchasing power parity, was (according to the IMF) more than twice as high as India’s ($… versus $…).

Answer 33

In 2019, China’s per capita average, measured in terms of purchasing power parity, was (according to the IMF) more than twice as high as India’s ($20,980 versus $9,030).

Question 34

polital system difference between China and India?

In 2019, Freedom Houseassigned India … points on its freedom index, compared with a measly … points for China (the UK got 93 and Canada 99).

Answer 34

On the other hand, China is a tightly controlled one-party state run by a politburo of seven aged men, while India continues as a highly imperfect but undeniably democratic polity.

Question 35

Censorship of the internet: India vs China?

Answer 35

Another comparison is equally revealing: one of China’s top high-tech achievements is employing ferocious censorship of the Internet and highly intrusive monitoring as part of the new, pervasive Social Credit System; one of India’s great high-tech achievements is its disproportionate contribution to high-tech corporate leadership at home and abroad.

Question 36

Indian emmigrants in silicon valley?

Answer 36

Many Indian emigrants have risen to leadership in Silicon Valley: Sundar Pichai at Google, Satya Nadella at Microsoft, Shantanu Narayen at Adobe, and Sanjay Jha, the former CEO of GlobalFoundries, to name the most prominent ones.

Question 37

Manufacturing has become both bigger and smaller. Between 2000 and 2017, the worldwide value of manufactured products has more than doubled, from $… trillion to $… trillion.

Answer 37

Manufacturing has become both bigger and smaller. Between 2000 and 2017, the worldwide value of manufactured products has more than doubled, from $6.1 trillion to $13.2 trillion.

Question 38

Meanwhile, therelativeimportance of manufacturing is dropping fast, retracing the earlier retreat of agriculture (now just … percent of the world’s economic product).

Answer 38

Meanwhile, therelativeimportance of manufacturing is dropping fast, retracing the earlier retreat of agriculture (now just 4 percent of the world’s economic product).

Question 39

Based on the United Nations’ uniform national statistics, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to global economic product declined from … percent in 1970 to less than …percent by 2017.

Answer 39

Based on the United Nations’ uniform national statistics, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to global economic product declined from 25 percent in 1970 to less than 16 percent by 2017.

Question 40

Toyota vs Facebook? Market capitalization difference?

Answer 40

At the end of 2019, Facebook—that purveyor of constant selfies—had a market capitalization of almost $575 billion, nearly three times more than Toyota, the world’s premier maker of passenger cars.

Question 41

And yet manufacturing is still important for the health of a country’s economy, because no other sector can generate nearly as many well-paying jobs. Take Facebook, which at the end of 2019 had about … employeesversus the … or so that Toyota had during the 2019 fiscal year. Making things still matters.

Answer 41

And yet manufacturing is still important for the health of a country’s economy, because no other sector can generate nearly as many well-paying jobs. Take Facebook, which at the end of 2019 had about 43,000 employeesversus the 370,000 or so that Toyota had during the 2019 fiscal year. Making things still matters.

Question 42

Manufacturing creates jobs: only … out of the top 10 manufacturing countries have recent unemployement above 5%

Answer 42

And yet manufacturing is still important for the health of a country’s economy, because no other sector can generate nearly as many well-paying jobs. Take Facebook, which at the end of 2019 had about 43,000 employeesversus the 370,000 or so that Toyota had during the 2019 fiscal year. Making things still matters.

Question 43

The top four economies remain the top four manufacturing powers, and accounted for about 60 percent of the world’s manufacturing output in 2018:

which countries?

Answer 43

The top four economies remain the top four manufacturing powers, and accounted for about 60 percent of the world’s manufacturing output in 2018. China, the United States, Japan, and Germany.

Question 44

China was at the top of the list with about … percent, followed by the United States (about … percent), Japan, and Germany.

Answer 44

The top four economies remain the top four manufacturing powers, and accounted for about 60 percent of the world’s manufacturing output in 2018. China was at the top of the list with about 30 percent, followed by the United States (about 17 percent), Japan, and Germany.

Question 45

The sector contributed more than … percent of China’s GDP in 2018—in the same year, manufacturing’s share came to about 21 percent in Japan and Germany, and only … percent in the United States.

Answer 45

The sector contributed more than 29 percent of China’s GDP in 2018—in the same year, manufacturing’s share came to about 21 percent in Japan and Germany, and only 12 percent in the United States.

Question 46

If you rank countries by per capita manufacturing value, which country wins? how many $? and which country of these 4 is the last? how many $?

Answer 46

If you rank countries by per capita manufacturing value, then Germany, with about $10,200 in 2018, came out on top among the big four, followed by Japan with about $7,900, the United States with about $6,800, and China with only $2,900.

Question 47

But the global manufacturing leader is now Ireland, the country that until it joined the EU (then known as the EEC) in 1973 had only a small manufacturing sector. Its low corporate tax (12.5 percent) has attracted scores of multinationals, who now produce 90 percent of the country’s manufactured exports, and the country’s manufacturing value per capita has surpassed $… a year, ahead of Switzerland’s $….

Answer 47

But the global leader is now Ireland, the country that until it joined the EU (then known as the EEC) in 1973 had only a small manufacturing sector. Its low corporate tax (12.5 percent) has attracted scores of multinationals, who now produce 90 percent of the country’s manufactured exports, and the country’s manufacturing value per capita has surpassed $25,000 a year, ahead of Switzerland’s $15,000.

Question 48

Swiss manufacturing vs Ireland? Which companies dominate?

Answer 48

When you think about Swiss manufacturing, you think about such famous domestic firms as Novartis and Roche (pharmaceuticals) or the Swatch Group (watches, including Longines, Omega, Tissot, and other famousbrands). When you think of Irish manufacturing, you think about Apple, Johnson & Johnson, or Pfizer—foreigners all.

Question 49

Countries where manufactured goods account for more than 90 percent of total merchandise trade include not only China and Ireland, but also Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, Israel, and South Korea. Germany is close to … percent; the US share is below … percent.

Answer 49

Countries where manufactured goods account for more than 90 percent of total merchandise trade include not only China and Ireland, but also Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, Israel, and South Korea. Germany is close to 90 percent; the US share is below 70 percent.

Question 50

The net balance of international trade in manufactured items is also revealing because it indicates two things: the extent to which a nation can satisfy its own need for products; and the demand for its products abroad. As expected, Switzerland, Germany, and South Korea have large surpluses, while the United States had another record goods trade deficit in 2018 at $891 billion, or some $… per capita—the price to pay for importing electronics, clothes, shoes, furniture, and kitchen gadgets from Asia.

Answer 50

The net balance of international trade in manufactured items is also revealing because it indicates two things: the extent to which a nation can satisfy its own need for products; and the demand for its products abroad. As expected, Switzerland, Germany, and South Korea have large surpluses, while the United States had another record goods trade deficit in 2018 at $891 billion, or some $2,700 per capita—the price to pay for importing electronics, clothes, shoes, furniture, and kitchen gadgets from Asia.

Question 51

But the United States enjoyed generations of manufacturing trade surpluses until …; China had chronic deficits until …. What are the chances of the United States redressing its massive manufactured trade imbalance with China, or of India replicating China’s manufacturing success?

Answer 51

But the United States enjoyed generations of manufacturing trade surpluses until 1982; China had chronic deficits until 1989. What are the chances of the United States redressing its massive manufactured trade imbalance with China, or of India replicating China’s manufacturing success?

Question 52

When looking back, it is clear that one of the decisive moments in their decades-long confrontation took place on Friday, October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union launched …[name of racquet], the first artificial satellite.

Answer 52

When looking back, it is clear that one of the decisive moments in their decades-long confrontation took place on Friday, October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. Technically, it was a modest affair: a sphere 58 centimeters in diameter, weighing almost 84 kilograms and sprouting four rodlike aerials. Although its three silver-zinc batteries made up some 60 percent of the total mass, they rated only 1 watt—good enough to broadcast rapid shrill beeps at 20.007 and 40.002 megahertz for three weeks. The satellite circled the planet 1,440 times before plunging to a fiery death on January 4, 1958.