Detached Places EQ1

Question 1

What are some physical/environmental reasons the DRC is switched off from globalisation?

Answer 1

-The DRC has limited road and rail networks, making it difficult to transport goods and connect with global markets»Only 2% of roads are paved, and vast areas of the country rely on dirt roads, making trade slow and expensive.
-The DRC is landlocked and Much of it is is covered by the Congo Rainforest, making communication and development difficult

Question 2

What are some political reasons the DRC is switched off from globalisation?

Answer 2

– Ongoing conflicts between military groups and the government have disrupted trade and development for decades e.g. The eastern DRC is home to over 100 armed groups, making business operations unsafe and discouraging global companies from investing.
-Government mismanagement and corruption make it difficult to create stable economic policies and attract foreign investors e.g. The DRC ranks high on the Corruption Perceptions Index,

Question 3

What are some economic reasons the DRC is switched off from globalisation?

Answer 3

– With a GDP per capita of around $600, most of the population cannot afford modern goods or services, making the DRC an unattractive market for global businesses e.g. Global brands avoid setting up large-scale operations in the DRC because there is low demand for international products as people have lower disposable incomes
-The DRC exports valuable resources like cobalt and coltan but does not have the industrial infrastructure to process them, keeping profits low e.g. despite producing over 70% of the world’s cobalt, the country remains one of the poorest nations