Global Inequalities and Interdependence

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?