RI 3 (ch. 9-12) Flashcards
What is sustainable prosperity?
Practicing stewardship of the environment and resources for the future. Its goal is to balance environmental, social, and economic factors
What is the UN’s definition of sustainable development?
Development is sustainable when it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?
GDP (gross domestic product)
Widely used to measure of the health of a country’s economy and the prosperity of its people. Averaged over the number of people in the country.
HDI (human development index)
Created by the UN development program to measure quality of life in UN member countries. Classifies countries as developed, developing, or underdeveloped based on three main categories:
1. longevity (measured by life expectancy at birth)
2. knowledge (measured by school environment and adult literacy)
3. standard of living (measured by GDP per person)
The United nations development program focuses on….?
Issues that need particular attention (eg. access to clean water)
GNH (Gross National Happiness)
Created by King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan. It is based on Buddhist spiritual values rather than economic growth. The focus is on inner happiness and well-being of the people in a country (spiritual and material development).
Purpose:
- promote sustainable/equal social/economic development
- preserve and promote cultural values
- conserve natural environment
- establish good governance
GPI (genuine progress index)
Measures sustainability, well-being, and quality of life. It will include environmental and social assets, like volunteer work and time spent raising children. It is said to be more accurate than GDP
What is a subsidy?
A benefit or government incentive given to groups/individuals
Briefly explain the “subsidizing farmers” situation
- governments have had trouble cutting farm subsidies (grants that keep food prices low)
- farmers in developing countries can’t compare
- eventually abolished
What is the knowledge economy? Name some examples
Includes businesses and individuals who use research, education, new ideas, and information technologies for practical purposes. Usually those who create high-tech products for businesses. Includes: microsystem technologies, computer software, robotics, biotechnology, etc
What is privatization? Name an example. What do advocates say about it?
Privatization is selling a public service to a private company (service is no longer owned by the government). Eg. Japan privatized its government owned post office.
Advocates say:
- it lowers taxed
- the competition improves the quality of service and leads to lower prices
What is foreign investment? What can foreign investors do? It is risky?
The purchase of assets in one country by individuals, institutions, or governments in another country. Foreign investors can buy shares, set up new businesses, or invest money in the currency of another country. It can cause sudden and dangerous risks to a country’s economy.
What are the 8 UN Millennium Development Goals.
- eradicate extreme hunger/poverty
- gender universal primary education
- achieve gender equality and empower women
- reduce child mortality
- improve maternal health
- combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- ensure environmental sustainability
- develop a global partnership for development
What is global climate change?
Small but steady changes in average temperature around the world
What is outsourcing?
Reducing costs by using suppliers of products and services in less developed parts of the world
Explain containerization.
The transporting of goods in standard-sized shipping containers. They are shipped along clearly defined routes.
What is trade liberalization?
Reducing trade barriers so that goods and services can move around the world easily.
What is free trade?
Countries agreeing to eliminate tariffs and taxes on goods and services traded between them.
Describe the WTO (world trade organization). What must it come to to make an agreement?
- increases international trade
- lowers trade barriers and makes trade more predictable
- ensures that trade agreements are followed
- settles disputes between governments
- conducts negotiations
- member countries must abide by its rulings
- comes to a consensus (a general agreement)
- has the power to use sanctions to enforce decisions
What are sanctions?
Economic actions, such as a trade boycott
Briefly describe NAFTA (North American Free Tarde Agreement) (now CUSMA)
- world’s largest free trade area
- eliminated trade barriers
- has pros and cons that garner it mixed opinions
Briefly explain the European union.
- liberalized trade area in Europe
- goods, services, money, and people can move easily
- use the euro
increased trade liberalization = _____ transnationals
more
Talisman energy controversy
During the Sudan civil war, they were accused of supporting a government that was committing genocide
Was is e-commerce?
Electronic commerce
- eg. amazon
- restricted to those who live in developed countries
What is ecological footprint?
It describes the load people impose on nature. It represents the area of the Earth’s surface needed to sustain the resources you use and waste you create.
What is the resource gap?
The gap between the resources the earth can reasonably supply and what the people of the world now consume.