Inequalities in Development | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Stages of development

• All countries progress through various development stages.
• The United Nations identifies four primary stages of development.

The development gap

• The development gap reflects the varying levels of development between the least and most developed nations globally.
• Several factors contribute to these development disparities.

• Physical Geography
  • Landlocked countries face challenges in trade, leading to slower development.
  • Small nations exhibit slower growth due to limited human and natural resources.
  • Countries with extreme climates also experience slower development.
  • The physical geography influences the availability of natural resources.
• Natural resources are provided by the physical environment:
  
• Some countries rely solely on their own natural resources for sustenance.
• Several nations must import resources unavailable within their borders, impacting their supply security.
• Dependence on imported resources exposes countries to supply risks during conflicts or political instability.
• Essential for progress, water, food, and energy security are pivotal in fostering a nation's growth.

• Demographic Influences

  • The population composition, influenced by birth rates, death rates, and immigration, directly affects the workforce availability.
  • Nations witnessing significant drops in birth rates often exhibit rapid growth rates.

• Technological Advancements

  • Technological innovations play a crucial role in enhancing water, food, and energy security.
  • Advancements such as farm mechanization boost yields, while improved land surveying uncovers additional energy sources.
  • Efficient resource utilization is facilitated through technological interventions.

• Societal Factors

  • Education levels directly impact individuals' skills, with higher education correlating with national development.
  • Healthcare quality influences workforce productivity by affecting individuals' well-being and capacity to work.
  • Inequality within a society can hamper overall productivity.

• Governmental Policies

  • Government stability and efficacy play pivotal roles in driving development and enhancing human welfare.
  • Regions with democratically elected governments typically experience higher levels of development and human welfare.
  • Corrupt administrations often neglect investments in national development and the betterment of citizens' lives.
  • Economic policies enacted by governments significantly influence both development and human welfare by:
    • Advocating for an open economy that promotes foreign investment, leading to accelerated development.
    • Implementing policies that prioritize higher savings rates and reduced spending relative to GDP, fostering additional development efforts.

Differences within Countries

• Disparities in development are not only evident between countries but also within them, regardless of their development status.
• Development tends to be concentrated in specific regions within countries.
• Inequalities within nations arise from various factors.
• The theory of cumulative causation offers one explanation for regional disparities:
  • Growth in core regions attracts skilled labor and investment capital.
  • Peripheral areas experience declines as skilled labor relocates and investment concentrates in the core regions.
  • This disparity between core and peripheral regions widens over time.
  • Eventually, the growth of core regions may stimulate development in the periphery due to increased demand for raw materials.

Stages of Regional Inequality

• Pre-industrial stage: This initial phase marks the period where regional differences are minimal and least pronounced.
• Period of rapid economic growth: During this phase, regional differences start to widen as some regions experience swift economic development while others lag behind.
• Regional economic convergence: In this final stage, wealth generated in core regions begins to spread to peripheral areas, reducing disparities.

Causes of regional inequalities

• Residence: Urban areas tend to attract more investments, leading to increased business opportunities and incomes. However, disparities in income may still exist within urban areas.
• Ethnicity: Discrimination based on ethnicity can result in certain ethnic groups having significantly lower income levels compared to the dominant groups in a country. This can limit the opportunities available to these marginalized groups.
• Employment: The division between formal and informal employment has a direct impact on incomes. Formal employment typically offers higher wages and additional benefits like paid leave.
• Education: Individuals with higher levels of education generally secure better-paying jobs, emphasizing the importance of education in improving income levels.
• Land Ownership: Inequalities in land ownership are closely linked to income disparities, highlighting the significance of land distribution in economic well-being.