The North-South Gap Classifying Countries Global Inequalities The North-South Gap Classifying Countries

Global Inequities One result of the Global Village has been the increasing gap between rich and poor Both on a local and global scale Wealthy countries are concentrated in one part of the world, while poor countries seem to be concentrated in another Some of the poorest countries have not been able to take advantage of new communications technologies to be competitive

Global Inequities According the UN Human Development Report (1996): The richest 20% of countries control 85% of the global income The share of the poorest 20% of the world’s people had deceased from 2.3% to 1.4% The shift towards a global world economy threatens to widen this gap

The North-South Gap The 20% that owns almost 85% of the worlds wealth live almost entirely in the industrialized nations in the northern hemisphere (in addition to Australia and New Zealand) The poorest 20% of people in the world are located in the southern hemisphere

Northern Hemisphere You Live Here Southern Hemisphere

North-South Gap Because of the great discrepancy between the “have” and have-not” nations of the world, this is often referred to as the North-South Gap

North-South Gap The Northern countries have the greatest wealth, highest standard of living, and the greatest industrial development – but the lowest population The southern countries have the bulk of the world’s population, but less of the wealth, low standard of living, and far less industrial development

Something to think about? Consider what your life would be like if you were born in another part of the world? What types of things do we rely and use on a daily basis? Are these necessities or luxuries? How would your daily routine compare to someone living in a “have not” country?

North-South Gap

Classifying Countries Countries are classified in terms of social, economic, and political structures The older system used the terms: First World (U.S., Canada, U.K.) Second World (Communist States such as China, Russia) Third, Fourth and even Fifth World (Afghanistan, Ethiopia)

Classifying Countries The current system uses the following terms: More Developed Countries (MDCs) Richest of industrialized nations, high quality of life, good health care, highly educated population Less Developed Countries (LDCs) Little industrial development, little wealth, high population growth Least Developed Countries (LLDCs) Includes 36 extremely poor countries, low income, low literacy rates, and little industry

Classifying Countries We can also classify countries as developed and less developed Developed Country Rich North Industrial Good roads, transportation High Energy Consumption Oil, coal, nuclear Good health care Clean Water Developing Country Poor South Agricultural Poor roads, transportation Little Energy Wood, wind, animal, human energy Disease and Famine Polluted or little water