IB Geography Flashcards: Economic Development
IB Geography — Economic Development Flashcard Deck
20 flashcards with spaced repetition. Press Space to flip, then rate your recall (1—4).
Key Concepts
Development Indicators: GDP per capita is the most common measure but has limitations — it ignores income distribution, informal economies, environmental costs, and quality of life. HDI (Human Development Index) combines life expectancy (health), education (knowledge), and GNI per capita (standard of living) for a more holistic measure. GDI adjusts HDI for gender inequality. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures deprivations in health, education, and living standards simultaneously.
Rostow’s Model proposes five stages of economic growth: traditional society (subsistence agriculture, limited technology), preconditions for take-off (infrastructure investment, commercial agriculture), take-off (industrialisation, urbanisation), drive to maturity (diversified economy, technological innovation), and age of high mass consumption (service sector dominance, consumer society). Critics argue it is Eurocentric (assumes all countries follow the Western path), ignores the role of colonialism, and doesn’t account for dependency.
Dependency Theory argues that developing countries remain poor because they are exploited by wealthy nations through unequal trade relationships. The core (wealthy nations) extracts resources and cheap labour from the periphery (developing nations), creating a core-periphery relationship that perpetuates underdevelopment. This explains why some countries remain poor despite having abundant resources — the benefits flow to the core. It challenges modernisation theory by arguing that development and underdevelopment are two sides of the same coin.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The UN’s 17 SDGs provide a framework for addressing global challenges. Key goals include no poverty (1), zero hunger (2), good health (3), quality education (4), gender equality (5), clean water (6), affordable energy (7), decent work (8), reduced inequalities (10), sustainable cities (11), responsible consumption (12), and climate action (13). The SDGs recognise that development must balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
Intuition
Think of development as more than just money — it’s about health, education, and opportunity. A country might have a high GDP per capita (like an oil-rich nation) but poor education or health outcomes. HDI captures this multidimensional nature. Rostow’s model is like a ladder: every country starts at the bottom and climbs up. Dependency theory argues the ladder is rigged — the rich countries hold it in place. The SDGs are like a roadmap for climbing while keeping everyone safe and leaving the environment intact.
Why it matters: Understanding development is essential for addressing global inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation. It helps you evaluate aid effectiveness, trade policies, and government strategies. Development geography connects economic, social, and environmental issues in a holistic framework.
Common Pitfalls
- Using GDP per capita as the sole measure of development. It doesn’t account for income inequality (a country can have high GDP per capita but extreme poverty for most people), the informal economy (unpaid work, black market), or non-market activities (subsistence farming, care work).
- Confusing economic growth with development. Growth is an increase in GDP; development includes improvements in quality of life, education, health, and equality. A country can grow without developing if the benefits only accrue to the wealthy.
- Assuming aid always helps. Poorly targeted aid can create dependency, distort local markets, or be lost to corruption. Effective aid must be tied to capacity building, local ownership, and sustainability. Debt relief may be more effective than new aid.
- Forgetting that development is not linear. Countries can experience setbacks (conflict, natural disasters, economic crises) that reverse decades of progress. The DTM and Rostow’s model suggest linear progression, but reality is more complex.
Cross-References
- Climate Change: Climate change disproportionately affects developing countries and can reverse development gains through extreme weather, sea level rise, and food insecurity.
- Population: Demographic transition is closely linked to development — as countries develop, birth and death rates fall, creating a demographic dividend.
- Freshwater Issues: Water scarcity and poor sanitation are both causes and consequences of underdevelopment.
- Urban Environments: Urbanisation is both a driver and consequence of development — rapid urbanisation in developing countries creates challenges and opportunities.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.