Global Inequalities and Interdependence

1602 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Fundamental questions of development economics

Global Inequalities and Interdependence Outline, and discuss the value of some of the indices which geographers have used in attempting to define 'a developing country' Measures of development are defined using a multitude of theories. Some focus on economic indicators, others on the quality of life. The economic indicator uses figures from GDP and GNP, which stand for Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product respectively. GNP is the total value, or output of goods and services which become available during a period of time for consumption or saving within a country, plus income from foreign investors. This is then measured per head of the population, which gives GNP per Capita. This indicator of development is often very difficult to obtain accurate information about the economy of a country. This especially would apply to a developing country where much exchange of resources and tender is difficult to track due to black markets and illegal trade. Also in the developing countries there is a large amount of subsistence agriculture. However this agriculture is used for domestic consumption and so does not get included in GNP. There is a problem as GNP and GDP are calculated in US dollars and so conversion of currency, as some countries have artificially high or low currencies. Finally apart from showing the monetary value of goods and services produced in a country alone it doesn't tell us anything about the living standards in the country. A second indicator is the Physical Quality of Life Index, this has compiled life expectancy, infant mortality and adult literacy. This ranges from 0 to 100, and a country with an ... ... middle of paper ... ...g the development of the country, and so they remain at the first traditional stage of the scale. This model may give a basis for development but does not show trends with reality, as the injections that the were experienced in the south have not installed development. There are many explanations to the reasons for the North - South divide, and they all have merits for and against an argument. The North - South divide has developed as a world phenomenon, due to the differences in GNP and development. The real reason for this divide must lie years in the past, and a result of luck in human development. For example where were the first settlements when the world began, what were the exact technological opportunities available thousands of years ago. Why did the North gain the edge over the South from the beginning?

Show More
Related

  • Summary: Why The North Won The Civil War

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    The North entered the Civil War with many distinct assets that rendered them more competent than the Southern states. Those assets consisted of having more men, more financial stability, economic strength, and far reaching transportation systems. According to the book: Why the North Won the Civil War by Donald, David Herbert, and Richard Nelson the primary cause to the North’s success was given by, “the vast superiority of the North in men and materials, in instruments of production, in communication facilities, in business organization and skill – and assuming for the sake of the argument no more than rough quality in statecraft and generalship – the final outcome seems all but inevitable.” In many ways the north, during the Civil, was more economically dominant than the South

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Savage Inequalities By Jonathan Kozol

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    Savage Inequalities written by Jonathan Kozol allows individuals to understand the conditions of several public schools in America. Kozol visited many school in approximately thirty neighborhoods between the years of 1988 and 1990. During his visits he found that there was a wide difference in the conditions between the schools in poor internal city communities and schools in the wealthier communities. It becomes clear that there is a huge contrast within the public school system of a country which claims to provide equal opportunity for all. Many children in wealthier communities begin their lives with an education that is far more advanced than children in poor communities. Therefore the lack in equal opportunity from the start is created.

    Read More

  • Key Factors That Led to Union Victory in the Civil War

    2114 Words  | 5 Pages

    "Why Did the North Win the Civil War." SOCIAL STUDIES HELP. Retrieved on 18 May 2005,

    Read More

  • Why The North Won the Civil War

    1524 Words  | 4 Pages

    "If wars are won by riches, there can be no question why the North eventually prevailed." The North was better equipped than the South, with the resources necessary to be successful in a long term war like the Civil War was, which was fought from 1861 – 1865. Prior, and during the Civil war, the North's economy was always stronger than the South's, boasting of resources that the Confederacy had no means of attaining. Compared to the South, The North had more factories available for production of war supplies and larger amounts of land for growing crops. Its population was several times of the South's, which was a potential source for military enlistees. Although the South had better naval leadership and commanders, such as Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson, they lacked the number of factories and industries to produce needed war materials. Therefore, the North won the American Civil War due to the strength of their industrialized economy, rather than their commanders and strategies.

    Read More

  • Events that Led to the Civil War

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    There were several issues that contributed to the split between the northern and southern states. Among these were the deep social, economic and political differences. The split could be traced as far back as the early 1800’s, just as the industrial revolution was beginning. It’s effects on the north and the south caused the economic split. As the north was becoming more industrialized; the south began to rely heavily on slave labor. This was one of the main reasons, as the southern view on slavery differed greatly from the North. These views were based on drastically different interpretations of the constitution.

    Read More

  • Jared Diamond Global Inequity

    742 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jared diamond reiterated, time and time again, that global inequity coincided with geography. Egypt, in comparison to France, had the natural disadvantage of being dealt with a desert climate, as opposed to France’s favorable cultivating climate. This allowed for France to naturally be more skilled in areas such as planting crops; having the adverse effect for Egypt. The lack of water also contributed to the inequality, as animals were able to thrive in environments that offered a surplus of water. Lastly, a more favorable geography in developed countries plays a major role as to why developing countries are not quite developed. Jared Diamond’s thesis thoroughly explains this as geography is reason for the unequal distribution of wealth in the world today.

    Read More

  • The Constitution's Accommodation of Social Change

    2599 Words  | 6 Pages

    Unlike the North – a term in vogue today, among others, for highlighting the difference between the rich, industrialised nations of mostly Western Europe, North America, Australasia, and the rudimentary economies of Latin America, Asia and Africa – underdevelopment, characterised by low income levels, poverty, low living standards and other socio-economic ills seem to be a defining feature of countries in these regions, collectively described as the Global South. Thomas (2003), Hershberg and Moreno-Brid(2003), and, Solimano(2005) suggest, for instance, that the socio - economic structure of most Latin American countries remains defined by vast inequalities in income and wealth distribution, poverty, volatile growth, high mortality rate and a high level of economic vulnerability. In Asia, a number of countries including the large economies of India and China have made improvements in the 21st century in terms of reducing poverty. Yet, 22% of the developing countries in Asia live on a dollar a day . The situation is bleaker in the South and Southeast Asia region where 38% leave on less than a dollar a day and over 48% of the population living below the regions individual country poverty line . Likewise, absolute poverty is on the rise in Africa - generally recognised as the world’s richest continent in terms of natural resources - despite a recorded decline in global poverty rates (Bhattacharyya: 2005).

    Read More

  • Analytical Essay: Riddle Of Inequality

    440 Words  | 1 Pages

    The riddle of inequality, as Tillich explains, "...Cannot be solved." This inequality is the divider of people, of the have's and have-nots. It seems that this riddle has confused people since the beginning of time and was even discussed in the bible. People always wonder why some have more than others do; they wonder why this happens and how it can change. I believe that this riddle is natural and cannot be changed despite he best efforts of people.

    Read More

  • Inequality for all

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    The film “Inequality for all” directed by Jacob Kornbluth, begins with Robert Reich asking students three questions to consider in a lecture when talking about the uneven distribution of wealth. First, what is happening regarding the distribution of wealth? He then inquires to why this is happening. Last of all, he asks the students if the distribution of wealth is a problem in America. He addresses these questions as well as many others in his lecture on the growing divide between America’s rich and poor. Robert Reich is an economist, author, and educator as well as public policy professor who served in the Ford, Carter and Clinton administration. He has dealt with this particular topic for over three decades and continues to spread his political views as a professor at the University of Berkley. Furthermore, he talks about the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor/middle class. He goes beyond the obvious facts to show us why this is happening and uses statistical data to display this growing problem. He gives concerning evidence that wages are declining, and that America’s weakening economy is based on consumerism.

    Read More

  • A Summary Of Joan Acker's Theory Of Inequality Regime

    168 Words  | 1 Pages

    For the purpose of understanding and combating inequality in organizations, Joan Acker has produced an analysis towards a concern with the way gender intersects with other categories of identity such as race and class. In this paper, I introduce and analyze Acker’s theory of “inequality regimes” and how it produces organizing patterns of oppression and inequality in work organizations. First, I will define what are “inequality regimes” according to Acker and how the term relates to the concept of intersectionality. Secondly, the paper will adhere to the outstanding degree of inequalities and the level of severity they establish in a work setting. Lastly, I will include an interpretation of how inequality regimes can be challenged and why they

    Read More

  • Income Inequality

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    Income inequality has affected American citizens ever since the American Dream came to existence. The American Dream is centered around the concept of working hard and earning enough money to support a family, own a home, send children to college, and invest for retirement. Economic gains in income are one of the only possible ways to achieve enough wealth to fulfill the dream. Unfortunately, many people cannot achieve this dream due to low income. Income inequality refers to the uneven distribution of income and wealth between the social classes of American citizens. The United States has often experienced a rise in inequality as the rich become richer and the poor become poorer, increasing the unstable gap between the two classes. The income gap in America has been increasing steadily since the late 1970’s, and has now reached historic highs not seen since the 1920’s (Desilver). UC Berkeley economics professor, Emmanuel Saez conducted extensive research on past and present income inequality statistics and published them in his report “Striking it Richer.” Saez claims that changes in technology, tax policies, labor unions, corporate benefits, and social norms have caused income inequality. He stands to advocate a change in American economic policies that will help close this inequality gap and considers institutional and tax reforms that should be developed to counter it. Although Saez’s provides legitimate causes of income inequality, I highly disagree with the thought of making changes to end income inequality. In any diverse economic environment, income inequality will exist due to the rise of some economically successful people and the further development of factors that push people into poverty. I believe income inequality e...

    Read More

  • Inequality And Economic Inequality

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    Inequality today is one of the most significant problems that America faces. According to Inequality.org in 2015 Household income of the top 0.1% of the population gained $6,747,439 while bottom 90% of the population got $34,074 (Inequality.org). The gap between incomes only continues to grow every year, which requires a change in social and economic policies of the country. However, it should be remembered that economic indicators can tell about working conditions, living conditions, nutrition, education of representatives of various groups of the population, but they can not show a picture of the realizability and opportunities to be successful in life for different groups of the population. That is why at the end

    Read More

  • Why Canada is a Great Place to Live

    388 Words  | 1 Pages

    GDP measures the total value of all goods and services produced within that territory during a specified period. GDP is used to measure a country’s wealth. Basic’s of life, food, etc. shelter and clothing is not likely available to most people in poorer countries. The.

    Read More

  • Inequality Essay

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    There has been a dramatic shift of inequality within the United States. This shift has favored the wealthy and left the middle class struggling to pay for simple items such as healthcare, childcare, and education. It has been argued that today’s middle now resembles the working poor. Due to this imbalance, the United States economy has suffered from wage decreases, child poverty, segregation, and minimal upward mobility. Inequality is bad for economic growth. Distribution of wealth, education, and health are contributing factors of inequality which affect economic growth.

    Read More

  • Globalization and Sustainable Development

    1985 Words  | 4 Pages

    United Nations Development Program (UNDP). (2000). Human development report 2000. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Read More

More about Global Inequalities and Interdependence

Open Document