International Development Flashcards
Factors of development:
s=social e=environmental ec=economic
- development is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change etc. - ec, e, s
- when a place or country expands their economy and develops their infrastructure - ec
- innovation, new ideas - s, ec
- education for everyone - s, ec
- lower pollution - e
- equality for women - s, ec
- more jobs - ec
- more healthcare - s, ec
- living longer - s
- sustainability - ec
- more money for the country - ec
- fewer children dying - s
What is development?
Development is all about change. It is not just getting richer or having more possessions. It is also about improving the lives of people.
All countries in the world want to develop but some are developing more slowly than others. Some are even going backwards.
Development is not always a good thing for everyone.
What is the definition of development?
The use of resources to improve the standard of living and quality of life of a nation.
Standard of living:
The amount and quality of material goods, facilities and services available to a given population.
It includes basic materials factors such as income, gross domestic product (GPD), life expectancy and economic opportunity.
Quality of life:
The general well-being of a person or society, defined in terms of health and happiness.
What is the GNI?
Gross national income
The GNI is calculated by dividing out the amount of money the country makes over the population.
LIC
Low Income Country Examples: -Kenya -Afghanistan -Bangladesh
GNI per capita of 1045 dollars or less.
NEE
Newly emerging economy
Examples: BRICS
Brazil Russia India China South Africa
GNI per capita of more than 1045 dollars but less than 12746 dollars.
HIC
High Income Country Examples: -USA -UK -Japan
GNI per capita greater than 13000 dollars
How can you measure development?
There is not a single way to calculate a level of development of a country. Geographers use a series of development indicators to compare the development of one country to another.
What is a development indicator?
A development indicator is pieces of data that helps to show how developed a country is.
Water and electricity in a HIC and LIC
Everyone has access to safe water and electricity
Many people have no access to clean, safe water and electricit
Education in a HIC and LIC
All young people go to school, there are good schools
Some children go to school for only a year or two - or never. There are not enough schools or teachers
Poverty in a HIC and LIC
No extreme poverty
Many people live in extreme poverty, with almost northing
Governmental help in a HIC and LIC
People who can’t find work or support themselves get help from the government (like kelp to pay rent)
You get little or no help from the government even if you are starving (a charity might help you)
Healthcare in a HIC and LIC
Good clinics and hospitals
There are not enough hospitals or doctors
Transport in a HIC and LIC
Good transport links (road,railways, airports)
Many roads are just dirt tracks and railways may be run down and need repair
Women in a HIC and LIC
Everyone is treated equally, women have as good as a chance to ear. A living as men
Females usually have less choice than males do. For example, girls may receive less education and be expected to marry young.
Jobs in a HIC and LIC
The % of workers in farming is low
A high % of people live by farming
Shops in a HIC and LIC
Shops sell a big range of goods, from all over the world.
There’s a wide of services (like gyms, cinemas, theatres)
Shops and markets sell only a limited range of goods
What is a GDP
Gross Domestic Product-the total value of all goods and services produced in a country
Why is GDP not a good measurement of development?
GDP is not a good measurement of development because it is only an economic measurement and does not take into account any other aspects of development.
It is only an average, therefore there could be areas of the country which are very rich and very poor but this figure does not show this
Life expectancy
The average age the people of a given population are likely to live
Birth rate
The number of people who are born per 1000 people
Death rate
The number of people who die per 1000 people
% of adult literacy
The % of people who can read and write within a population
GNI (per capita)
The wealth of a country. The total value of goods and services produced by a country plus income from abroad.
Infant Mortality Rate
The number of children who die under the age of two per per 1000 births
Population growth
Whether family trends show lots of people per family or few/nine children per family
Population per doctor
The number of doctors divided by the number of people in the population
% of children who go to school
The number of children who regularly go to school
% in agriculture
The number of people who work in farming and therefore primary industry
Calories consumed per person per day
The number of calories eaten each day and divided by the population
HDI (human development index)
Measure relative social and economic progress of a country
What is the capital city of Qatar?
Doha
What is the GNI per capita of Qatar?
61,650 USD
What is the population density of Qatar?
239.59 inhabitants per km square
What is the life expectancy in Qatar?
77.98 years
What is the adult literacy rate in Qatar?
93.47% of the population
What percentage of Qatar is an Internet user?
99.7% of the population
Landlocked
An area (country) surrounded by land with no ocean or coastline.
Reclaimed land
Developing the limited area of usable land by adding materials such as rocks,soil and cement to an area of water to create new land.
Absolute poverty
Where people are so poor that they cannot meet basic needs such as food.
Relative poverty
Where people poor compared to the average in the society (have enough to live).
Independence
The time when a country gains political freedom from outside control.
Trade
Buying and selling of goods and services between countries
Malawi
Total population: 17 million people Capital: Lilongwe Continent: Africa Bordering countries: Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique Main industry: agriculture
Singapore
Total population: 4 million people (1.6 million temporarily for work) Capital: Singapore Continent: Asia Bordering countries: Malaysia, Indonesia Main industry: shipping hub
Primary sector
People work with get raw materials from the land or sea.
E.g. miners, farmers, fishermen etc.
Secondary sector
People take raw materials and turn them into something els (manufactured goods)
E.g. clothes, baking, car manufacturing
Tertiary sector
People carry out a service for others,
E.g. doctors, cleaning, teachers, shop assistants
Quaternary sector
High skilled people using their knowledge - create new things
E.g. research
What is a HDI?
Human Development Index
A HDI is a composite indicator. The United Nations uses the HDI.
What does a HDI measure?
GNI per capita
Number of years of schooling
Life expectancy
The measures range from 0 to 1. A HDI between 0.8 and 1 and between 0.6 and 0.4 is low.
What would a country most likely have if it was a high HDI?
It would most likely have a high life expectancy and the GNI per capita and the number of years of schooling is high.
Where is Malawi located?
Malawi is a long thin country in the East of Africa. It is to the East of Lake Cahora Bossa. It is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. Malawi is landlocked. Malawi is around half the size of the UK in area.
The Background of Malawi:
Malawi used to be a part of the Maravi empire.
In 1859 the first British person arrived, he was called Dr. Livingstone, he was a Scottish doctor and Missionary. Missionaries and traders followed him.
By 1891 Britain had taken control of Malawi and the British planters set up plantations to grow things like tea, tobacco, coffee and cotton, for export.
Finally, in 1964 Malawi gained independence after decades of struggle
Malawi’s economy:
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and almost 90% of people work in farming which is the primary sector. Malawi exports sugar, tea, cotton and tobacco. Tobacco is its top export. Malawi has very few mineral resources, however, there may be oil under Lake Malawi.
Some Development Indicator Statistics: GDP per person (PPP) Adult Literacy Life expectancy GNI per capita Expected years of schooling There are some rich people in Malawi, however, most people are poor. This data shows that Malawi is developing.
GDP per person (PPP) 780USD 38,500USD
Adult Literacy Rate 61% 99%
Life expectancy 55 year 81 years
GNI per capita 380USD
Expected years of schooling 11.2 years
There are some rich people in Malawi, however, most people are poor. This data shows that Malawi is developing.
What is Malawi’s main industry?
Agriculture
What is Singapore’s main industry?
Shipping hub
What is one of Malawi‘s main physical feature?
Lake Malawi which is rich in fish
How does Malawi’s adult literacy rate affect its development?
Malawi‘s adult literacy rate is 61%. This affects the development because adults may not be able to get more skilled jobs which would pay the more if they were literate. This would also mean that the government wouldn’t be able to tax people as much money. Malawi doesn’t have an established quaternary sector but if more people were literate they could gain one as people would be able to get a higher education.
How does Malawi earning a living through farming affect its development?
90% of Malawi‘s population earn a living through farming. LIC’s tend to sell a primary produce and have to compete with each other to win the trade. This would lower the prices farmers get. A poor harvest means less income..
Where is Singapore located?
Singapore is located in South East Asia. It is an Island off the tip of Malaysia. Singapore is very small and is approximately half the size of Greater London.
What are the ethnic groups in Singapore?
3/4 of its citizens belong to the Chinese Ethnic group. Most of the rest are Malaysian and Indian.
Singapore Background
Singapore was a British colony. It started when Britain signed a treaty with a ruler in 1819 to set up a British trading post. After that, Singapore slowly became a British colony.
Singapore had to rebuild itself because during World War 2 Japan came and invaded and destroyed a lot of it. A year after Malawi became and independent country, Singapore became an independent country in 1965 after multiple years of internal conflict.
Singapore’s economy
Although Singapore is now one of the most wealthiest countries in the world there is unfortunately also some poverty. Singapore is very low in farmland and other natural resources (even water) so it has to buy most of them. Singapore makes money by importing materials, processing them and then exporting products. An example of this is, it imports oil, and exports chemicals obtained from oil. Singapore earns even more money as a shipping hub. Cargo is moved from ship to ship in Singapore, depending on the final destination (like when you switch trains at a train station). Singapore has the busiest transshipment port in the world
Development Indicator Statistics Life expectancy: Expected yrs of schooling: GNI per capita: Inequality adjusted (HDI): Gender Development Index (GDI): Employment to population ratio (% of ages 15yrs and older):
Life expectancy: 83.6yrs Expected yrs of schooling: 16.4yrs GNI per capita: 88,155 USD Inequality adjusted (HDI): 0.813 Gender Development Index (GDI): 0.985 Employment to population ratio (% of ages 15yrs and older): 67.6
Development Indicator Statistics
Homicide rate (per 100,000 people):
Exports and imports (% of GDP):
Internet users, total (% of population):
Carbon dioxide emissions and production emissions per capita (tonnes):
Total population (millions) (data refers to 2030):
Skilled labour force (% of labour force):
Development Indicator Statistics
Homicide rate (per 100,000 people): 0.2%
Exports and imports (% of GDP): 319.1
Internet users, total (% of population): 88.2
Carbon dioxide emissions and production emissions per capita (tonnes): 7.1
Total population (millions) (data refers to 2030): 6.3
Skilled labour force (% of labour force): 84
Human development index
Measures life expectancy, years of schooling and GNI per capita
Economic development
The level of a country’s wealth and standard of living
What causes the development gap?
Natural resources
Slavery
Climate
Geographical location (landlocked)
Historical
Reasons that are about what happened in the past e.g. colonialism
Geographical
Reasons that are about natural resources, rainfall, temperatures, soils and landscapes
Health and education
Reasons that are linked to availability of medical care and skills of the people
Historical reason - industrial Revolution
1000yrs ago, Asia was the richest continent, overall. And people in Europe and Africa had a similar level of wealth
But things change and by 1750, the industrial revolution had begun in Britain. It spread, and Europe leaped ahead in wealth and development
Europeans had already settled in North America. So industries began to develop there too-and North America began to grow wealthy
Historical reasons - colonies
Europe explored Africa, South America, and Asia. They had found lands rich in natural resources. Trading soon followed.
The Europeans traded for things like gold, ivory, tobacco, spices - and in some places, slaves. But as time went by the grew greedier and took over places as colonies. So now they were in control. And the materials and slaves they shipped out made many Europeans very rich. Eventually, the colonies won their independence. But most were left with few roads, schools, hospitals or skills…and much unrest.
Overall, several European countries - including Britain - grew richer and more developed by exploiting colonies. But they did little to develop their colonies. Many ex-colonies, such as Malawi, are still very poor today. Some are still unstable but some ,like Singapore, are doing fine).
Geographical reasons
In a hot dry landlocked country, with poor soil and few other natural resources, development may be very difficult.
But some countries have rich soil, and a climate that helps farming. And natural resources - such as soil - that other countries are keen to buy.
Some countries benefit greatly from their locations. Singapore is an example. It’s it’s in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes.
Health and education
A well-educated, skilled, and healthy workforce helps a country to develop. People can come up with bright ideas, and work together to tackle problems. But poor countries are at a disadvantage.l
Poor countries have lots of bright young people. But many don’t get a good education. (There aren’t enough trained teachers, for one thing).
Diseases such as malaria, TB and AIDS are common in many poor countries. If you are unwell, and undernourished, you can’t work.
If you are poor, most of our energy will go finding food, and water, and firewood. You won’t be able to think about much else.
Conflict and corruption
A country has a better chance of developing if it is at peace’s, with a stable and wise government, and a strong fair legal system.
But many poor countries do not have stable governments. Many are deep in conflict, with a big waste of life and money.
In many countries, corruption adds to the problem. Leaders and officials take bribes, and steal money that should be spent on the poor.
There is some corruption in every country. But it is widespread in some of the poorer countries, and it has a big impact on development.
Relying on few exports
Usually, countries eat money by selling things to other countries
Many poor countries rely heavily on selling just one or two cash crops to other countries, to earn money. But that’s risky because the amount they earn for a crop can tumble. For example, if other countries decide to grow lots of it too or if the demand for the crop falls. For example, tobacco is one of Malawi’s top exports. As people give up smoking the demand for tobacco will fall.
Lack of industry
You can usually earn more by selling factory goods than crops and raw materials. For examples, suppose your country grows cocoa.
You can sell your cocoa on the world market. Chocolate companies in richer will buy it to make chocolate. The chocolate companies like to buy cocoa cheaply, if they can. But they charge quite a lot for chocolate - and can charge more every year. So their profits rise,while your earnings may fall. How nice it would be to make your own chocolate and export it! But it costs a lotto set up factories. Poor countries may not have the money or expertise to get started. Even if they do, the electricity supply may fail. Or poor roads may make transport difficult. So it’s hard to run a factory efficiently.
Meanwhile, the richer countries make a profit by processing commodities from the poorer countries. By process them they add value and get even richer.
HIPC
High Indebted Poor Country - countries with high levels of poverty and debt overhang which are eligible for special assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the world bank.
NGO
Non Governmental Organisation - a charity (such as Oxfam) which helps people, and is independent of the government.
Aid
When a country or NGO detonates resources to another country to help it to develop or improve people’s lives
TNC
Trans-National Corporation - a company that has operations (factories, offices, research and shops) in more than one country
Microfinance
When NGO’s give small loans to help them to set up their own businesses
Fair trade
In Ecuador large multinational corporations buy boxes of bananas for as little as $2 for a 9kg box. Consequently, workers on banana plantations can be payed as little as $1 a day. Fair trade standards guarantee a minimum of $7 a box - including fair trade premium that is used for community projects (clean drinking water, health care, schools etc.
Arguments in favour of trade:
Trade makes a developing country more independent of the aid-giving countries. Aid budgets can always be cut.
Trade helps developing countries to maintain their dignity. Aid can be seen as a form of charity.
Trade establishes a strong impression in the international market.
Trade improves the economic performances of a country, while aid money can be misused
Arguments in favour of aid
Aid can go directly to where it is needed, while trade can distribute resources inefficiently. The benefit of trade is mostly confined to an elite group of people within a country.
Trade does not necessarily mean fair trade.
Trade requires investment (e.go aid) first.
Aid allows for money in a given country to be allocated well against need.
Exposing fragile developing countries to trade is very risky.
Aid is not always provided in the form of money and is sometimes provided through expert advisors. On the other hand, trade needs a good infrastructure of the country to prosper, it is very difficult for developing countries to maintain a good infrastructure.
How does self-help help to reduce the development gap?
This scheme could help reduce the development gap because poorer countries can try new crops, use more of their natural resources and could develop new industries e.g. tourism. They can root out corruption by building new schools, hospitals, roads and more infrastructure. They can educate and train more people. Manufacturing can be developed and factories could provide people with a steady wage allowing people to learn new skills.
Limitations to self help:
A country may not have any major resources to allow them to try new crops. The country may not have the ability to do any of this either. The country needs to be careful with their idea of reducing the development gap, because obviously the idea would need funding, so if it fails, the country is losing money and increasing the development gap.
How does aid help to reduce the development gap?
Richer countries can give aid in the forms of grants, or cheap loans, or help and give expertise for projects like roads, railways and other infrastructure.
Aid limitations:
Poor countries say that trade can you help them more than aid: we should buy the crops, and other goods they produce, and pay them a fair price. Richard countries do not give as much as they promised and China is helping out lots of African nations despite it being not completely develop itself.
Non-governmental organisations
NGOs can help reduce the development gap by giving people small loans to help them set up a business (microfinancing) or provide materials for villagers to dig a well so they can have clean water.
NGO limitations:
There are limitations to the scheme because it solely relies on charitable acts of charity from others and it is not a mandatory law to give charity.
How does help from technology help to reduce the development gap?
This is helping to reduce the development gap by being able to transfer money by mobile (the idea began in Kenya), farmers to arrange transport for crops or find out what the best prices are. If they don’t have electricity they can use a solar powered charger. Ina addition to this it means landlocked countries further away in the world rather than being restricted to the countries bordering the,.
Hep from technology limits:
It is hard to buy a lot of technology, such as phones, especially for almost an entire population. It would be even harder for poorer countries as they do not have as much money than other countries.
How does manufacturing and TNC’s help to reduce the development gap?
Poorer workers in LIC’s have a reliable source of their wages from the TNC’s. It can also help the country with trade as now the products from the factories can be shipped across the world.
Manufacturing and TNC’s Limitations:
TNC’s do not do this to help the LIC countries, but rather to increase their own effectiveness. They still pay the people their poor wages compared to some HIC’s. They can also take advantage of the cheap raw materials, good transportation links, a business friendly government (ones which adopt policies which encourage business development and growth such as low rates of business tax), exploitable land and property, lack of personal rights and so on.
How does fair trade help to reduce the development gap?
Companies who want to sell products labelled as “fair trade” have to pay producers a fair price. Buyers have to guarantee a minimum price for to growers and also pay extra on top of that (fair trade premium) to help develop the area where the goods come from - provide schools, health centres and clean drinking water.
Fair trade limitations:
Only a tiny proportion of the extra money reaches to the original producers. Most of it still goes to the retailer (shop).
