2.4 Causes of uneven development

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

2.4 Causes of uneven development

Aims

• Explain uneven development in the world by describing different physical and human factors;
• Explain that there is no single reason for underdevelopment.

Physical reasons

Most LEDCs in the South are in a dry and infertile region:

• Risk of drought = long periode with little or no rainfall.
• Effects: No drinking water, no water for cattle or to grow crops, famine can occur (lack of food for people).
• Famine is an example of a natural hazard: an extreme natural event that can endanger human life (other examples: hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.).
• Climate change can lead to heavier natural hazards.

Drought causing the death of cattle in East Africa.

Colonialism: a human factor

History: LEDCs were colonies of rich European countries.

Main reason: natural resources = precious materials

provided by the earth that humans can make use of.

In the 20th century countries became independent.

The North created countries with artificial borders;

Civil wars occured (wars between groups of people in a country.

Political failures

Poor governance = when a government does not take the responsibility to take care of the needs of their citizens.

Corruption = the abuse of power for personal gain.

Economic failures

Unfair trade = when one of the trading parties is not treated fairly.

Protectionism = when countries protect their own market by banning or restricting foreign products.

Neo-colonialism = a new form of colonialism in which poor countries are still dependent on rich countries.

A form of protectionism with sugar

Homework 

Do the assignments of 2.4 (look for the precise assignments in your studyguide)