Global Stratification Hierarchy of wealth, power, and influence among the countries of the world

Cold War Terms for Global Stratification First World – rich, industrialized countries Second World – somewhat less industrialized, socialist countries Third World – remaining non-industrialized, poor countries

Current Terms for Global Strat High-Income Countries rich because theirs were the first economies to be transformed by the Industrial Revolution per capita income of $10,000 to $20,000 annually together, countries with the most developed economies cover roughly 25% of the earth’s land area and lie mostly in the Northern Hemisphere dominate the world’s scientific efforts; use the most complex and productive technologies; at the forefront of new information technology US, Japan, Switzerland, Canada

Current Terms for Global Strat Middle-Income Countries Have experienced limited industrial development Per capita income of $2,500 to $10,000 annually Limited industrialization, primarily in the city; half the people still live in rural areas Russia, Hungary, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Algeria, South Africa  

Current Terms for Global Strat Low-Income Countries Most people are very poor; primarily agrarian societies Per capita income of less than $2,500 annually Represents 35% of the world’s land, but 50% of its people Barely 25% live in cities; most live in villages and farm as their family has for many generations Staunchly traditional; follow the folkways of their ancestors No industrial technology Much of central and eastern Africa, much of Asia

Global Poverty Severity of poverty global income poverty in poor countries is more severe than it is in rich nations like the US in part because economic productivity is lowest in regions of the largest population growth global income High income countries earn 79% (18% of population) Middle income countries earn 20% (70% of population) Low income countries earn 1% (12% of population)

Global Poverty Relative Poverty Absolute Poverty The lack of resources by some people that are taken for granted by others Rich societies tend to focus on this type of poverty A lack of resources that is life-threatening 1/3 or more of people living in low income countries experience absolute poverty Median death age can be an indicator of absolute poverty.

Global Poverty Child mortality rate