Zusammenfassung der Ressource
The Development Gap
- Is the difference between the richest
and poorest country in terms of
economic attributes and quality of life
- Widening Gap
- It is extremely difficult
to prove or disprove
- It only shows that whilst some countries are
proving the gap is crossable, equally it is possible
for some countries to stagnate or decline
- Some
industrialising
countries are
crossing the
gap showing
nothing about
the width of
the gap
- Colonialism
- Many LEDCs used to
be Colonies, usually
governed by a MEDC
- Many African
countries are
former colonies
- During colonial
periods, the
colonies were used
for a cheap and
reliable source of
raw materials in
exchange for
manufactured
goods
- This meant colonies
weren't given an
opportunity to develop
their own industry
- Most colonies are
now independent but
were hindered in trade
and development
- MEDCs gained initial
advantage and gained
momentum for
development from colonies
- Early economic
success increases
political and military
strength helping
develop resources and
colonies new land
- Economic factors
- Decolonialisation occurred stopping MEDCs political
domination leaving LEDCs financially vulnerable
- LEDCs took out loans to with high interest rates from MEDCs and the 'World
Bank' to keep developing, but would have high debts which they can not repay
- Trading Blocs
- Unfair trade
- Two most powerful: the US and the EU,
have made links with neighbouring
countries, denying access to rivals
- Products of LEDCs face
many obstacles in
entering the markets
of rich countries
influencing high tariffs
- Most rich countries have high
tariffs on raw materials, which
makes it harder for developing
countries to industrialise
- Former 'heads of colonies' have kept their momentum
by becoming influent leaders in trading blocs
- a group of countries that join together in some
form of agreement in order to increase trade
between themselves and/or to gain economic
benefits from cooperation on some level
- Poor countries need to grow their way out of poverty
- Trade is a key engine
for development
- Poor countries caught
in a vicious circle
- To break the circle
they need to export