Global Inequalities

North- South Gap Technological advances has lead to a growing gap b/w the haves (rich) and the have- nots (poor) Technological advances has lead to a growing gap b/w the haves (rich) and the have- nots (poor) Northern countries have a majority of the wealth, highest standard of living, and the greatest industrial development, but less of the population Northern countries have a majority of the wealth, highest standard of living, and the greatest industrial development, but less of the population Southern countries have a large population, less wealth, low standards of living and less industrial development Southern countries have a large population, less wealth, low standards of living and less industrial development

Classifying Countries Many systems have existed to classify countries in terms of their political, social or economic structures. Many systems have existed to classify countries in terms of their political, social or economic structures. i.e.; first world, second world, and third world i.e.; first world, second world, and third world

Earlier Systems First World- industrialized and democratic nations of the Western world First World- industrialized and democratic nations of the Western world Second World- communist countries (China, USSR) Second World- communist countries (China, USSR) Third World- less affluent, less industrialized (low economic development, widespread poverty, high population growth, low standard of living) Third World- less affluent, less industrialized (low economic development, widespread poverty, high population growth, low standard of living) Many of these communist government dissolved in the early 90’s making this system not valid Many of these communist government dissolved in the early 90’s making this system not valid

Today’s System More Developed Countries- rich industrialized nations More Developed Countries- rich industrialized nations Less Developed Countries- little industrial development, little wealth high pop. Growth Less Developed Countries- little industrial development, little wealth high pop. Growth Least Developed Countries- very low per capita GDP, low literacy rates, little manufacturing industries Least Developed Countries- very low per capita GDP, low literacy rates, little manufacturing industries

Thresholds Our world is constantly changing and the effects of these changes might not be know for years Our world is constantly changing and the effects of these changes might not be know for years A threshold is a critical level or points of stability in any system A threshold is a critical level or points of stability in any system

Natural Threshold Refer to critical levels necessary to maintain equilibrium in the natural environment – for example, the number of fish in our oceans. Refer to critical levels necessary to maintain equilibrium in the natural environment – for example, the number of fish in our oceans. If these thresholds are crossed, change will occur at a very rapid rate eventually jeopardizing Earth’s ability to provide a livable enviro for us and other species If these thresholds are crossed, change will occur at a very rapid rate eventually jeopardizing Earth’s ability to provide a livable enviro for us and other species

Economic Thresholds Refer to levels of economic development and growth eg. Alberta’s booming oil economy Refer to levels of economic development and growth eg. Alberta’s booming oil economy Economic thresholds are human generated and depend on both the resource base of the natural world and industrial development by humans. Economic thresholds are human generated and depend on both the resource base of the natural world and industrial development by humans.

Early Warning Systems Early warning systems would allow us to detect when we are approaching key natural thresholds so we could take immediate steps to avoid crossing a threshold. Early warning systems would allow us to detect when we are approaching key natural thresholds so we could take immediate steps to avoid crossing a threshold. Since we don’t know where and when such early warning might occur, we would need worldwide cooperation. Since we don’t know where and when such early warning might occur, we would need worldwide cooperation. Any remedial action would have to involve all countries Any remedial action would have to involve all countries This action would likely come at the expense of possible economic growth for some countries, not all would be willing to participate This action would likely come at the expense of possible economic growth for some countries, not all would be willing to participate Eg. the U.S. refusal to honour the Kyoto Accord Eg. the U.S. refusal to honour the Kyoto Accord