Pattern of Uneven Development (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

Pattern of Uneven Development - Countries

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Differences between countries

• Every country's level of development situation is unique
• Each country can be placed into one of the four categories as identified by the UN

World Stages of Development

• As well as the reasons outlined for the development gap, there are other reasons why countries are at a certain level of development

Pattern of Uneven Development - Historic Factors

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Historic factors

Colonialism

• Colonialism hindered many countries' development

• European countries exploited countries they colonised in the 1700s and 1800s

  • The European countries colonised the countries and then took the resources of those countries to sell for profit
  • There was an investment in colonies, but this was focused on products and infrastructure that would help the European country exploit the country and its people

• Borders were often decided by the European countries with no regard for the boundaries set by the Indigenous communities

• This led to future tensions and conflicts

Neocolonialism

• Neocolonialism describes how developed countries dominate the least developed and developing countries today

• **'Land grabbing', **where wealthier countries buy large areas of farmland in the least developed and developing countries, is of increasing concern

• In 2012, it was estimated that** 200 million hectares** of land, mainly in Africa and Asia, had been bought by wealthier countries to grow food for their populations

• This has several impacts on those countries, including that it:

  • forces Indigenous populations off their land
  • reduces the amount of food grown for the local population
  • uses vital water resources
  • increases pollution of water and the environment through the use of fertilisers and pesticides

Pattern of Uneven Development - Social Factors

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Social factors

• Where investment in education and health is lower, countries develop at a slower rate

• Education helps to increase the number of people with higher levels of education and skills, which:

  • increases the skilled workforce
  • supports the development of secondary and tertiary economic activities

• Investment in healthcare and clean water reduces the number of people who are sick:

  • People are healthier and more able to work, which boosts the economy

Pattern of Uneven Development - Political & Economic Factors

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Political & economic factors

Politics

• Political corruption can affect investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare
• Wars and conflict lead to money being spent on weapons rather than investment in development

Economy

• Open economies encourage foreign investment to help them develop more rapidly

• Large-scale investment by Transnational Corporations (TNCs) can lead to the multiplier effect or cumulative causation, which further boosts the economy

• The least developed and developing countries tend to rely on primary produce, which means profits are lower as the price paid for the goods is lower

• Many of the least developed and developing countries are in debt to the developed countries, which means that:

  • The countries have to spend money paying off the debt and the interest on the debt
  • There is reduced investment in development

Pattern of Uneven Development - Differences Within Countries

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Differences within countries

• As well as differences between countries, there are also differences in development within countries:

  • This can be seen in all countries, whether they are developed, emerging or developing
  • Often, development is focused on particular regions

• Inequalities within countries are due to several factors

• Cumulative causation theory is one explanation for regional differences:

  • Growth in the core region attracts skilled labour and capital
  • Areas in the periphery suffer as skilled labour leaves and investment is focused on the core
  • The gap between the core and the periphery grows
  • Eventually, the growth of the core region may stimulate growth in the periphery due to the demand for raw materials

Theory of cumuluative causation

• There are three stages of regional inequality:

  • Pre-industrial stage- regional differences are at their lowest
  • Period of rapid economic growth – increasing regional differences
  • Regional economic convergence - where wealth from the core spreads to other parts of the country

Causes of regional inequalities

Residence

• Urban areas generally attract greater levels of investment, leading to increased business and incomes:

  • There may also be inequality within the urban area

Ethnicity

• Discrimination can result in ethnic groups having income levels significantly below those of the dominant groups within a country

  • This reduces the opportunities open to these groups

• Ethnic minority groups often have higher levels of:

  • informal employment
  • unemployment
  • poverty

Employment

• The split between formal and informal employment impacts incomes
• Formal jobs usually have higher incomes and greater benefits, such as holidays and sick pay

Education

• Those with higher levels of education usually gain higher-paying employment
• Higher education levels among women are linked to lower fertility rates

Land ownership

• Inequalities in land ownership are strongly linked to inequalities in income