Frameworks for development AK

Factors which affect development  1. Resource factors  2. Cultural and social factors  3. Political Factors

Resource Factors:  Access to resources:  Important factor in development is where the country is located in the world and its climate.  Poorest countries- close to the equator, extremely hot, infertile soil, water is scarce.  Europe/N USA: fertile land, temperate climate, good rainfall.  Extreme climates: more emphasis on survival than economic development.

 Energy:  Largest energy consumers = N USA and Europe.  Global demand for energy is increasing ( population increase)  Larger populations consume more energy  Increase in fuel prices and env concern = power industries have to become more efficient.

 Natural Resource Limitation:  Occur naturally and benefit humans.  Include fuels such as oil, natural gas, iron ore and timber.  First countries to become industrialised were these that had large amounts of their own, easily accessible, fossil fuels.  Today they do not have the resources anymore but have the money to import.  Lack of natural resources deters development.

Cultural and Social Factors:  Education and training:  The skills level of a population can be developed through education and training.  The rapid success of NIC in East Asia is due to the investment in education.  The workforce in these NICS are highly skilled and educated as in MEDCS.  Almost all LEDCS, woman are less literate than men.  Lack of education reduces the chances of woman employment.  Where woman are literate, infant mortality is lower, families are smaller and children have better health.

 Population Growth:  In many LEDCS – population growth exceeds economic growth.  Every month there are more mouths to feed, jobs to provide, demands on healthcare and education – but less money per person.  Poverty forces people to have large families which can lead to the poverty cycle. 

Political Factors  Trade imbalances:  International trade is not always fair towards poorer countries.  LEDC – export lower value raw materials to developed countries.  Developed countries export higher value manufactured goods which LEDC countries cannot afford.  LEDC therefore have to borrow money to pay for imports = debt.

 Historical and political factors:  War, corruption and incompetence are the main factors.  Civil wars destroy essential infrastructure such as roads, pipelines and hospitals.  Wars disrupt food production and create refugees.

 Environmental degradation:  Poor management of natural environment continues the cycle of underdevelopment.  Environmental degradation and lack of access to to clean affordable energy services.  Issue:  finding enough resources to provide for all the needs of all people protecting the env from harmful waste.  Stop multi national organisations from avoiding legal liability for environmental damage and human rights violations.