St.
Peter’s High School
Geography Department
Mr A Barnard | Mrs A Dadge | Mr J Mitchell | Mrs S Miklausic | Mrs G Stott | Mr A Williams
Development
KEY IDEA- Contrasts in development
are related to economic,
environmental,
social and political
conditions.
Contrasts between MEDCs and LEDCs in measures of population such as birth rate, death rate, natural increase; health such as infant mortality, people per doctor and life expectancy; housing, literacy and GNP.
Economic and political conditions impact upon levels of development such
as the industrial structure and the political policies of the Government.
St. Peter's example of political effects
was Sierra Leone.
Students should be able to define the measures given and to understand
their significance in terms of their measurement, for example many LEDCs
have death rates equal to or lower than those of MEDCs. Similarly in some
countries the population data may suggest an LEDC while development indicators
for health and education may approach those of MEDCs due to political
policies, country size, colonial influences etc.
Environmental conditions and hazards contribute to differences in levels
of development. Differences in availability and cleanliness of water supply
between MEDCs and LEDCs. Differences in quality and
quantity of food supply in LEDCs.
Sample studies to illustrate these problems
and solutions to them. The solutions should illustrate the way in which
some schemes use appropriate technology and promote sustainable development
whereas others may not always benefit the environment and the local population.
Small-scale studies are adequate such as the problems of water supply
in the Sahel and various schemes mostly operated by NGOs to build wells
and provide pumps so as to improve water supplies contrasted with say
the UK where in general water supplies are
abundant and clean.
Case Studies we have used.
Drought in the Sahel, Africa - concentrating on Ethiopia
- Why Famine stalks Africa
- Africa:
Globalisation or marginalisation? - Eastern and southern Africa are
suffering from a catastrophic drought and famine, with more than 30
million people facing hunger.
Ethiopia is one of the worst affected countries - Africa's famine - country by country
Trade and aid in MEDCs and LEDCs
and its consequences.
North v South – the main pattern of trade and the balance of trade between the north and the south. The types of products produced.
disadvantages of this pattern of trade to MEDCs and LEDCs. Small scale
studies to show how trade is interdependent. The possible solutions to
the imbalance of trade such as fair trade and its importance for global
citizenship.
Students should appreciate the global imbalance in trade and the problems
of countries, mostly LEDCs that rely on a limited range of primary produces
susceptible to world markets and the buying power of the MEDCs. Advantages
and disadvantages should be considered from the economic, social political
and environmental viewpoints and the attitudes of different interest groups
should be considered.
Why is aid needed? Different types of aid – emergency (short term), political,
charitable, conditional (tied) aid, long term aid. Sample
studies to illustrate the different types of aid and the advantages and
disadvantages of these types of aid.
The imbalance of trade, environmental hazards and development indicators
provide the evidence for a world in which there are great gaps in development
between the rich and the poor making aid between countries necessary.
visit these web links to help you revise for the DEVELOPMENT section
3. S-cool development revision pages - includes tests and exam practice
5. Changes in employment in Britain - to compare with an LEDC country
8. Geo facts - some facts to quote to add detail in questions
9. Geo revision notes - you will need to register and receieve a password
11. World Trade Organisation GATT
12.Mercosur - common market of THE SOUTH
13. CAFOD
14. OXFAM