Evaluation of strategies to reduce uneven development (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Trade and uneven development

• The development gap exists because some countries and regions have much greater wealth, access to services, and life chances than others

• Strategies are designed to reduce this gap — but each has advantages and limitations, depending on how it is applied

• Trade encourages LICs/MICs to sell goods on the global market to earn income

Advantages

• It is often promoted as the key to long-term economic development

• It allows countries to sell its resources so they can invest in things to improve their development, such as education and healthcare

• This money means they can import goods which can further their development, such as tractors or communication technology

Disadvantages

• Trading is not always fair

• Developing countries are usually paid less for their exports than developed countries

• Developing countries are disadvantaged by trade barriers

• Trade agreements usually favour developed and emerging countries

Fair Trade

• Fair Trade guarantees better prices and working conditions for producers

• It is an international movement that helps producers in poor countries get a fair deal by setting standards for trade 

Advantages

• Farming is done in an environmentally friendly way

• Product has a better position in the global market

• Part of the end price is invested back into the local community and future development projects

• Example: Over 90% of small coffee farmers in eastern Uganda have joined the Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative, which allows the coffee to be milled before roasting, which adds value to the coffee and increases the farmer's income

Disadvantages

• Fair Trade products usually cost more than non-Fair Trade options, making them harder to buy and affecting sales

• Getting certified can be difficult and expensive for producers, especially for small farmers and those in remote areas

• Fair Trade can make producers dependent on it, which might be risky if demand changes

• The fair trade movement mainly focuses on a few products, like coffee and bananas, so options are limited for consumers

International aid and uneven development

• Transfer of money, resources, or expertise from one country or organisation to another

  • Can be emergency aid (short-term) or development aid (long-term)

• Countries or non-governmental organisations (NGOs such as Oxfam) donate resources to a country to help or improve people’s lives

• Aid can take the form of money, emergency supplies, food, technology, specialist skills

• The aid helps reduce the development gap through investing in development projects

  • Focus is usually on health care, education and services

• Government-to-government aid (e.g. UK giving aid to rebuild roads or power plants in LICs) is a top-down approach

• A bottom-up approach is NGOs building schools, digging wells, or training midwives in rural communities

Advantages

• Provides essential services (e.g. healthcare, education, clean water)

• Can kick-start development in poor regions

• Encourages goodwill and international cooperation

Disadvantages

• Risk of aid dependency – countries rely on handouts instead of self-sufficiency

• Aid may be tied to conditions (e.g. must buy donor’s goods/services)

• Risk of corruption or misuse – money doesn’t always reach those who need it

Debt relief and uneven development

• Not usually bottom-up, but civil society campaigns (e.g. Jubilee 2000) helped pressure governments to act

• Many developing and emerging countries owe money to other countries

  • Repayments and interest are expensive so they do not have money left to spend on development

  • Debt relief can mean that the debts are written off

• In 1996 the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative was launched, which aimed to ensure that no country faces a debt burden it cannot manage

• In 2005, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) was added to supplement the HIPC and allowed for 100% debt relief on any money owed to the IMF, World Bank or African Development Fund (AfDF)

• The money saved can now be used for development projects such as industry, resources and infrastructure

• Example: Ugandan government has spent money to provide safe water to over 2 million people

Advantages

• Cancels or reduces international debts owed by LICs

• Frees up money for education, health, and infrastructure instead of debt repayment

• Can create a fresh start for struggling economies

Disadvantages

• Not all countries qualify for debt relief

• May come with conditions (e.g. cutting public spending or privatising services)

• Doesn’t fix the underlying causes of poverty or prevent future debt

• Corrupt governments may keep money