Disparity & Change | ib-geography

Disparity and change

Module as desribed in the IB Syllabus :Identify and explain the changing patterns and trends of regional and global disparities of life expectancy, education and income. Examine the progress made in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in poverty reduction, education and health.

2. The Rostow Model

1. The Dependency Theory

The theory was made popular by Andre Gunder Frank in 1966

BASIC IDEAs

- The theory basically outlines that the developed nations have grown because of the explotation of poorer nations

- The core are the wealthy states, and the periphery are the pooerer states

- The purpose of the diagram to illustrate how important resources move from the 'periphery' or poor countries into developed countries

1. The core produce raw materials. These can range from cofee, tea to metals. They also started producing cash crops

2. They became dependent on the core for food aid as well as imports. They were no longer subsiquent.

3. Development of many countries slowed or stopped by colonialists. Most countries were richer before this period

Support for this theory

1. Many poor countries owe large debts to developed countries or international banks

2. The world is now more globalised with many developed country TNCs operating in and possibly exploiting developing countries.

3. Developed countries tend to specialise in more value added industries like banking and manufacturing, widening the development gap even more. The diagram to the right shows how goods flow to the periphery. This can increase debt and hamper there own independence and technological development

4. Many international organisations are dominated by developed countries (World Bank, UN Security Council)

5. Many developing countries have now become reliant on NGO help

6. Population growth is highest in developing countries so many are suffering from greater overpopulation.

Further explanation of the theory

Outiline of Model

By walt Whitman Rostow in 1960

1. The Rostow model states that all countries are at different stages of development

2. The goal is to get to stage 5 - mass consumption stage 5.

3. Countries in the lower levels are going to be less developed in terms of infrastructure, service provision, income, etc

Analysis of Model

A lot of countries seem to have become stuck at some stages and can't move onto to stage 4 and 5.
The developed countries only reached stage 5 by exploiting countries, and this now makes it impossible for poorer countries to get up there as well
High levels of debt and corruption mean some countries struggle to progress
Its not very probable that all countries can enjoy mass consumption.

A simplified narration of the model...

3. The World Systems Theory

Outline of Model

By Immanuel Wallenstien in th 1970s

1. A number of countries forged ahead creating a core region with the result of the world being peripheral.

3. Semi-peripheral area then developed to bridge the gap between the two.

4. Periphery became specialist in the primary sector while the core became specialist in the higher value secondary and tertiary sectors.

5. World System theory doesn't state that countries become stuck in the periphery like dependency theory, but can develop and therefore reduce disparities. NICs and the BRICS countries are good example of semi-peripherial countries fast reducing the disparities between the have and the have nots.

A video analysis of the theory...

Activity 1 - Important Theories

Activity 2 - MDG Debate

Team Success' Agrument

Team Failure's Argument

We held a debate where we evaluated the MDG's which 'expired' earlier this year and have been replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals, made offical in Septemebr 2015. Please click on the different buttons to view Team Success & Team Failures argument for the MDGs.