Can developing countries ever catch up with developed countries
Essay: Can developing countries ever catch up with developed countries? The concept of "development" is the crucial concept which defines the boundary between "developed" and "developing" (or more accurately, given their stagnation, "underdeveloped") countries and implicitly, the idea of "catching up". There have been many definitions of this concept. The World Bank, for instance, claims that "[r]educing poverty is the fundamental objective of development"1, implying a purely economic definition. In contrast, Worsley argues that "[t]he examination and definition of development should include the interplay between economic and political institutions and the rest of social life"2. For the purposes of this essay I shall adopt a definition which treats development as convergence with western self-definitions, particularly regarding standards of living and economic wellbeing. Such a definition retains an awareness of the link between underdevelopment and poverty while also incorporating an awareness of the colonising implications of the concept of "development". Thus, "developed" or northern countries are those with industrial economies and high standards of living (measured by GDP). In contrast, "underdeveloped" societies (mainly those located in Latin America, Asia and Africa) have low standards of living and economies focused on agriculture, extractive industries or
Malnutrition in developed and developing countries.
Malnutrition in developed and developing countries In order to remain healthy, we need to eat a range of nutrients in the amounts and proportions required by the body- a balanced diet. A shortage, or even a complete lack, of food will lead to starvation. Taking in an excessive amount of food will lead to over nutrition and obesity. Any imbalance of nutrients in the diet, whether too much of one thing or not enough, is referred to as malnutrition. Malnutrition can affect anybody but developing countries, children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable group. Malnutrition has a number of primary causes: * Hunger - This is the most menacing cause of malnutrition; it is mainly caused by a deficiency of calories and protein, usually due to poverty. Hunger is most devastating when it attacks children because it can affect their mental and physical development for the rest of their lives. However, hunger also seriously affects adults, hindering their productivity and creating a host of associated health problems. It is estimated that 1.2 billion people worldwide suffer form malnutrition due to hunger. * Protein-energy malnutrition - This is most common in the poorer countries of the developing world. It is seen mainly in children when they are weaned from milk, to a diet, which is often low in protein. These children grow slowly, and have high mortality rates. Two extreme
Christians in developed countries.
Christians in developed countries feel and believe that they should have reverence for the marginalized and seek not just to improve the condition of these people in life but also to bring about equality and live up to their responsibility of caring for all. We can learn about this from the Old Testament and Jesus' teachings. In Mt 22.34-40, we learn that the greatest commandment is to, "love your neighbour as you love yourself." Christians try to develop qualities of Christian love, known as agape. They do this by showing compassion towards others, respect and tolerance. They can also do this by reading the bible and following the acts of others, such as Jesus. By doing this Christians hope to become more like Christ. Once confirmed, Catholics have confirmed their commitment and responsibilities to Christ, by doing this they are now official followers of Christ and they believe they should follow in his ways and apply them to daily life and by confirming themselves to Christ, Catholics mean to serve him and others. "If one of you wants to be great, he must be servant of the rest, and if one of you wants to be first, he must be slave of all." Request of James And John. This passage explains that true greatness is about saving others. This is major Christian responsibility. Christians can do this by putting themselves last and putting the needs of others before their
Factors of population growth in Developing and Developed Countries
ECONS ESSAY M/J/07 6. a) The rate of growth of population can be said to be faster in developing countries or developed countries, depending on several factors. Developing countries have high birth rates due to high fertility rates, which lead to a greater population growth. Furthermore, lack of contraception also leads to high birth rates. However, developed countries have low birth rates due to low fertility rates and the fact that contraception is readily available. Moreover, in developed countries, the opportunity for education is more available to its citizens. Hence, most of the population are educated. When people are educated, they are less likely to many children. They will be focusing on their careers and bettering their standard of living. Furthermore, because of the opportunities available through education, women in developed countries are marrying late and this usually leads to lower fertility rates. However, in developing countries the opportunity for education is not as readily available to all citizens. Those who live in the city have many opportunities for education but usually, those who live in rural areas are not given the same opportunities. Hence, there will most likely be people who marry young and have many children due to the lack of opportunities to further their studies. Furthermore, developed countries usually have better health policies
The Human PopulationThe population profiles for developed and developing countries are fundamentally different. What are the differences?Some of the more developed countries have lower fertility rates
The Human Population Carole Holmes April 1, 2006 Unit 2: Individual Project (SCI210) Laura Step The Human Population The population profiles for developed and developing countries are fundamentally different. What are the differences? Some of the more developed countries have lower fertility rates. The current rate in the U.S. is 2.0. (The fertility rate is the number of children a woman would give birth to in a lifetime if she experienced the birth rate for her country in a specified year.), but have a growing number of elderly people. The population of developed countries increases mainly because of immigration. In developing countries the population is younger. Fertility rates in these developing countries are in the range 5.5 to 7.0 in recent years. The infant mortality rate in the U.S. is less than 10 per 1,000 live births; in many of the world's poorest countries this rate is between 100 and 150. Define the epidemiological transition and the fertility transition and relate them to the four phases of the demographic transition. Epidemiological transition is "In human populations, the pattern of change in morality from high death rates to low death rates and Fertility transition as the pattern of change in birthrates in a human society from high rates to low". (Wright, 2005) Demographic transition can be defined as the change of a population from high birth and
Low-cost Information Technology in Developing Countries: Current Opportunities and Emerging Possibilities.
White Paper on Low-cost Information Technology in Developing Countries: Current Opportunities and Emerging Possibilities Abstract 'Look West' has been the mantra for most IT companies over the past. They are not to blame since these have been the big markets with North America and Europe accounting for 69% and 22% of total IT and ITES export revenues respectively from India in 2003-04. But with thinning profit margins, increasing competition and saturating western markets it is in the lands unexplored that the IT companies can find business in the future. This might be the time to diversify not only to safeguard from the vagaries of development cycles of western countries but also to look at developing countries of Asia and Latin America as holding potential for the future. Often sidelined and neglected, today these markets themselves are ripe and waiting to be harvested by the IT companies. IT companies can capture the opportunities these markets have to offer in terms of their . Burgeoning small and medium enterprises, 2. Increased government spending on areas like e-governance, IT infrastructure, etc. with an aim of providing improved citizen services, reducing costs and 3. Growing individual interest towards IT. Servicing SMEs might be a whole different ball game. Instead of doing it the services way with custom built applications, which proves not only
The Impact of Transnational Corporations on Less Economically Developed Countries
David Pearce The Impact of Transnational Corporations on Less Economically Developed Countries A transnational (TNC) corporation is simply a large business organisation which operates and has ownership of assets in more than one country. Most TNCs operate in just a few countries, are involved in manufacturing and services and have their head offices in more developed countries. TNCs are responsible for employing over 40 million people worldwide, indirectly influence an even greater number, and to control over 75 per cent of world trade. At first, many branches of TNCs were located in economically less developed countries, but there has been an increasing global shift to the affluent markets of Europe, North America and Japan. The reason why TNCs originally decided to locate in less developed countries was due to the existence of valuable resources, but the most important reason was the level of incentives offered by the home government. If a TNC decides to settle in an LEDC, there will be huge benefits. Many new jobs will be created, which will be filled by local labour. The jobs will probably be better paid than other jobs supplied by industry which developed within the country. On the other hand, the wages will be much lower than the wages given for the same job in an MEDC. This is another reason why TNCs choose to create branches in LEDCs. The jobs supplied by the TNC
Why are less economically developed countries and more economically developed countries affected differently by flooding, and why are there responses different?
Why are less economically developed countries and more economically developed countries affected differently by flooding, and why are there responses different? Flooding has been a worldwide problem for centuries but in recent years, primarily due to global warming, the effects are becoming more and more hazardous. As a result it becomes important to recognize the significance of flooding and the varied impact it has on people around the world. Flooding affects numerous groups of people every year regardless of their country's economic status. However the intensity of the effects of flooding and what is and can be done to prevent them in the short term as well as for the future (long term) is where the difference between less economically developed countries and more economically developed countries becomes evident. For example the Mississippi river is one of the largest in the world; it travels through nine states and collects a large amount of surface run off from a large portion of the North American continent. When the river flooded in 1993 after two weeks of steady, heavy precipitation there was considerable damage to homes; many people were injured with approximately 50 deaths. However, the damage could have been much worse had the country not responded quickly with evacuation programmes, and the rapid co-ordination of agencies that informed those at risk of the
How effective is tuberculosis (TB) treatment in less economically developed countries?
How affective is tuberculosis (TB) treatment in less economically developed countries How effective is tuberculosis (TB) treatment in less economically developed countries .1 Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is caused by several bacteria called ‘Tubercle bacillus’. The bacterium were discovered and named as a cause of TB in 1882 by the German Biologist Robert Koch. Tubercle bacillus is a small and extremely dangerous bacterium; it has a long life span and can survive for months in dryness and resist mild disinfectants (Stefan, 2000). TB is a contagious disease which spreads in similar way to common cold and flu viruses; the bacteria are transferred from host to host in small droplets. There are numerous types of TB, of which Pulmonary TB is one. It can be transferred when an infected person sneezes, coughs or spits and an uninfected person comes into contact with the droplets, for example in saliva (Stefan, 2000). Symptoms The symptoms of this disease are severe coughing including bloody mucus, chest pains, shortness in breathe, fever, weight loss and sweating. The secondary infection affects the immune system, bones and gut. The most common scenario when infected with TB is when a person contacts it following another disease or infection which has weakened the immune system. For example when a person has the human immunodeficiency virus
Improving the CBD in developed Countries Congestion Charge
Improving the CBD in developed Countries Congestion Charge The London Congestion Charge is a fee for motorists entering the Central London area. In 2005 London was the largest city to adopt the idea of Congestion Charge, but not the first as many countries had the idea before. The organisation for administrating this charge is the Transport for London (TFL). The stated aim of the scheme is to encourage travellers to use public transport, cleaner vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles or be encouraged to walk instead of using motor cars and vans, meaning less congestion allowing for faster, less polluting and more predictable journeys. TFL say that much of the money raised in the scheme is invested in public transport. The fee was introduced on 17th February 2003. The daily fee of £8 must be paid by the registered owner of a vehicle that enters, leaves or moves around within the Congetion Charge zone between 7am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. If the charge is not paid by 10pm on the day of travel the charge is increased to £10: this is intended to cut the number of last-minute payments. Failure to pay the fee by midnight means a fine of at least £50. There are some vehicles that the charges do not apply to, including buses, minibuses (over a certain size), taxis, emergency service (ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles), motorcycles and bicycles. However this only
