Paper 4 (2024) Flashcards
Explain two problems for countries which have high levels of international debt
Debt interest payment especially when interest rates are increased on further debt
Hard current repayment issues
Debt payments reduce the amount available to invest in improving public services and invest in infrastructure
Unexpected economic shocks may reduce ability to repay
Growing levels of debt can discourage investment
Debt spiral
Loss of sovereignty
Odious debt
Suggest reasons why there may be an increase of population without basic drinking water services in a region
Population growth
Cost, poverty and inequality of individuals
High cost of infrastructure provision and treatment
Poor management of services
Pollution through lack of sanitation
Drought or changing rainfall due to climate change
Insurgency or civil war preventing access or forcing migration
Competition for water
Suggest reasons why many people do not have access to safe water
Population growth
Cost, poverty or inequality of individuals
High cost of infrastructure provision and treatment
Poor management of services
Pollution through lack of sanitation or other sources of pollution such as mining and agricultural runoff
War or conflict
Flood events destroy infrastructure and pollute supplies
Drought and changing rainfall patterns due to climate change
Explain two causes of international debt
Domestic sources of finance may not be enough
Foreign lenders might offer more attractive terms
Borrowing can be used to finance development, infrastructure or social provisions
LICs may be able to borrow from the World Bank at attractive rates and with flexible repayment schedules
Corruption and poor governance
Unexpected events
Why some supplies of capital may wish to lend money
Rapid capital accumulation and ability to earn interest
Supporting economies and currencies in countries with large markets
Economic or political influence in borrowing countries
Explain two factors which lead to the degradation or rural environments
Overpopulation leading to increased demand for resources from the environment and carrying capacity being exceeded lead to inadequate waste management and overgrazing
Poor agricultural practices leading to desertification (misuse of chemicals, poor soil management, over abstraction of water)
Deforestation leading to increased surface runoff, soil erosion, siltation, changes to the hydrological and nutrient cycles, loss of habitat
Extractive industries leading to pollution
Climate change leading to changes to temperature and precipitation patterns and extreme events
Explain how two changes in the global market have affected global trade
Location of markets
Rising affluence in some locations affecting demand for certain commodities
Rising populations and increased flow of information into new markets
Role of the WTO in promoting free trade and access to new markets
Rise of trade blocs which regionalises trade and restrictions these bring to global flows
Unexpected global events such as recessions or pandemics
Explain two causes of water pollution
Inadequate or outdated waste management or human error. Sources include human activities such as agriculture, mining, deforestation, inadequate waste management or from urban areas such as power production, secondary industry, inadequate waste management, domestic sources and transport
Explain two ways trade agreements affect global patterns of trade
Free trade between member countries reduces barriers to trade and stimulates more trade and greater specialisation of goods and services within the group leading to a regionalisation of trade. Member countries use protectionist measures on imports from outside the agreement making trade for these countries more difficult. This could lead to trade diversion as countries seek new markets and making their own agreements with other countries
