Development dynamics

Question 1

What is development in geography?

Answer 1

Process of improving quality of life, wealth, health, education, and living standards.

Question 2

What is GDP?

Answer 2

Gross Domestic Product - total value of goods and services produced.

Question 3

What is GNI per capita?

Answer 3

Gross National Income divided by population.

Question 4

Limitations of GDP/GNI

Answer 4

Does not show inequality, informal, economy, or wellbeing.

Question 5

What is HDI?

Answer 5

Human Development Index - combines life expectancy, education, and income.

Question 6

What are social indicators of development?

Answer 6

Literacy rates, life expectancy, infant mortality.

Question 7

What are econonomic indicators of development?

Answer 7

GDP, GNI, employment types.

Question 8

Why indicators can be misleading

Answer 8

Differences within countries, poor data, informal economy.

Question 9

What is global inequality?

Answer 9

Differences in wealth, health, and living standards between countries.

Question 10

Core-periphery model

Answer 10

Core countries = rich, dominate global economy; Periphery = poorer, exploited.

Question 11

Rostow’s Modernisation Theory

Answer 11

Countries pass through 5 stages: traditional -> preconditions -> take off -> drive to maturity -> high mass consumption.

Question 12

Limitations of Rostow

Answer 12

Ignores colonial history, global trade effects.

Question 13

Dependency theory

Answer 13

Poor countries remain dependant on rich countries for trade and loans.

Question 14

Example of global inequality

Answer 14

Life expectancty 80+ in UK vs 65 in India rural areas.

Question 15

What is globalisation?

Answer 15

Increasing connections between countries through trade, investment, and culture.

Question 16

How globalisation impacts development

Answer 16

Foreign investment -> jobs and growth; cultural exchange; infrastructure development.

Question 17

Role of TNCs (Transnational Corporations)

Answer 17

Create jobs, boost economy, can exploit workers, environmental issues.

Question 18

Positive impacts of globalisation

Answer 18

Technology transfer, improve services, increased trade.

Question 19

Negative impacts

Answer 19

Inequality, environmental damage, exploitation.

Question 20

Where is India?

Answer 20

South Asia, borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Question 21

Population

Answer 21

Over 1.4 billion - 2nd largest in the world.

Question 22

Introduction for India case study:

Answer 22

India is an emerging country whose rapid economic growth since the 1990s has had both significant positive and negative impacts on its population. The extent to which these impacts have been positive varies between social groups and regions, meaning the benefits have not been evenly shared.

Question 23

P1 for India case study:

Answer 23

A major positive impact has been the growth of India’s formal employment sector, particularly in services such as information technology, telecommunications and business outsourcing. Cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad have attracted foreign direct investment (FDI), creating high-skilled jobs. As a result, many people have experienced rising disposable incomes, improved living standards, and increased access to consumer goods. This has helped expand India’s middle class, contributing to higher literacy rates and improved access to private healthcare and education.

Question 24

P2 for India case study:

Answer 24

India’s economic growth has also allowed the government to increase spending on infrastructure, such as the Golden Quadrilateral highway network, airports and electrification schemes. These developments have improved connectivity, reduced travel times and strengthened internal trade. In rural regions, electrification and improved road access have supported agricultural mechanisation, bringing some benefits to farmers through higher productivity.

Question 25

P3 for India case study:

Answer 25

However, the positive impacts have not been experienced equally. Economic growth has been heavily concentrated in urban areas, creating significant regional inequalities. States such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have benefited far more than poorer states like Bihar and Odisha, where many people remain dependent on subsistence agriculture and have not seen substantial improvements in income or employment opportunities.

Question 26

P4 for India case study:

Answer 26

Furthermore, rapid urbanisation caused by economic growth has created major social and environmental pressures. Cities such as Delhi and Mumbai have experienced the expansion of informal settlements, where residents may lack access to clean water, sanitation and secure housing. While cities provide more job opportunities, many migrants work in the informal sector, earning low wages without job security or worker protections. This means economic growth has not always translated into improved quality of life for the poorest groups.

Question 27

P5 for India case study:

Answer 27

Environmental degradation has also reduced the positive impacts for some communities. Industrialisation and rising energy demand have led to increased air and water pollution, which contributes to health problems such as respiratory disease. Rural populations in states like Punjab and Haryana have been affected by over-extraction of groundwater, demonstrating that economic growth can undermine environmental sustainability and long-term wellbeing.

Question 28

Conclusion for India case study:

Answer 28

In conclusion, economic growth in India has had many positive impacts, including improved infrastructure, rising incomes and a growing middle class. However, these benefits have not been evenly distributed, and large sections of the population—particularly rural communities and the urban poor—have gained far less. Therefore, economic growth has had a positive impact, but only to an extent, as significant inequalities and environmental pressures continue to limit the overall benefits for India’s population.

Question 29

How has rapid economic growth changed the demographics of India and caused urbanisation?

Answer 29

Demographic changes: • Lower death rates: Economic growth improved healthcare, sanitation reducing infant mortality and increasing life expectancy. • Slowing birth rates: Better education, more employment, and access to contraception. • Youthful workforce: Growth in industry and services has created a large working-age population. Urbanisation: • Rural-urban migration: Jobs in manufacturing, IT, and services pull people from rural areas to cities. • Growth of megacities: Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.