UNIT 3: CONTESTED PLANETBRIDGING THE DEVELOPMENT GAP

THE CAUSES OF THE DEVELOPMENT GAPWhat is the nature of the ‘development gap?’ How has it arisen?I know that the global development gap can be measured by traditional economic indicators (GDP) and broader quality of life indicators (literacy rates, HDI etc).

I know that there are a range of theories (Development, dependency, core/ periphery, debt) that can be used to explain the widening gap between developed and developing economies.

I know that global players and organizations (world bank, IMF, TNCs, governments and NGO’s) have differing roles and contrasting perspectives in relation to the development gap.

I know that trade and investment play a key role in the development gap, and global wealth distributions; the importance of terms of trade, north south divide etc.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEVELOPMENT GAPWhat are the implications of the development gap at different scales for the world’s poorest people?I know that the development gap has social, economic, environment and political consequences for people in the most disadvantages countries.

I know that that the development gap is increasingly problematic in developing mega cities, where the growth of the urban poor is increasing, for example cities such as Nairobi, Bangkok.

I know that the development gap often has an ethnic/ religious dimension such as in South African, East Timor and can be associated with migrations, social unrest and new political movements.

I know that there are positive and negative consequences for countries which are developing and reducing poverty; as development and the environment are rarely compatible unless carefully managed, for example India or China.

REDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT GAPHow might the development gap be reduced and by whom?I know that there are a range of theories and approached that underpin attempts to recue the development gap (modernization, neo liberal, Marxist, populist against grassroots approaches) these tend to be mutually exclusive.I know that aid strategies including top down, capital intensive, tied aid and government led, contrast with local bottom up approaches in terms of funding source, aims, winners and losers.

I know that trade, investment and economic growth have a role in reducing the development gap, but this is controversial and there are alternative approaches, for example fair trade.

I know that for some, the future of the development gap is a stark one, unless difficult choices are made by a range of players, many of whom have conflicting priorities.

Don’t forget to use www.geogaroundtheworld.blogspot.com regularly for useful extra reading. This is a really up to date topic

and has a lot in the news.