5.1 Global Development (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

The global pattern of development can be defined as follows:

• Development levels vary on local, national and international scales in an uneven way.

The three categories that countries can be placed into based on their development level are:

• Developing/Least Developed

• Emerging

• Developed

Characteristics of developing/least developed countries include high levels of poverty, low GNI per capita and a low standard of living.

Characteristics of emerging countries include increasing wealth, high and medium human development and growing secondary economic activities.

Some characteristics of developed countries are:

• Good level of services

• High GNI per capita

• High standard of living

• Dominant tertiary activities

Factors that lead to uneven global development are physical, historic and economic factors.

The inequality that exists within the UK is the North-South divide, with the North being less developed than the South.

The North of England is characterised by labour politics, traditional manufacturing and reliance on public services.

The South of England is characterised with conservative politics, private enterprise, offices and financial services.

The differences between the core and peripheral regions are that:

• Core regions are more urban and developed

• Periphery regions are more rural and less developed.

Physical causes that impact development are:

• Landlocked countries have less access to trade routes

• Small countries which often have fewer resources

• Extreme climates/weather which hinder development

Economic causes impact development because poverty slows improvements to living standards, education levels affect workforce skills, and trade is dominated by wealthier regions.

Social causes impact development because a lack of equality and healthcare reduce productivity, and levels of education affect development.

Developing countries are disadvantaged in trade because they are paid less for exports than developed countries, and face trade barriers.

Technology can help development by increasing food, water and energy security through improved farming and resource use.

Government policies impact development through unstable or corrupt governments hindering investment in development and human welfare.

Colonisation has affected development because many former colonies were exploited for resources, facing challenges after independence.

Conflict hinders development because it reduces the workforce, money is spent on weapons, not development, and it damages infrastructure.

Residence impacts development by making urban areas more attractive to investment, leading to increased income compared to rural areas.

The evidence that shows the development gap in South America is differences in GDP per capita and GDP growth rates between countries.

IGOs receive donations from governments and allocate money to development projects in other countries.

UN organisations that work on development:

• World Health Organisation (WHO)

• Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

• UNESCO

Other major IGOs involved in development:

• The World Bank

• International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• World Trade Organization (WTO)

The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 goals agreed by 193 countries to promote development, including zero hunger and quality education.

Debt relief helps development by allowing countries to focus spending on development instead of debt repayments.

Some types of international aid are advice, technology transfers, food and money.

Appropriate aid is important because it needs to fit the needs of the receiving community to be effective.

Fair trade promotes development by ensuring producers in poor countries get fair pay and investment in local communities.

Top-down development strategies include major infrastructure projects, free trade policies and industrial development

Examples of bottom-up strategies include small community projects like wells, schools and farmer training