Social Sciences Grade 9: Geography - Development

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts of economic, social, and environmental development, indicators of wealth, trade relationships, and sustainability as discussed in the Geography lecture notes.

Development

A process in which social, economic, and environmental inputs are used to improve the quality of people's lives.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.

Per capita GDP

The total value of goods and services produced in a country divided by the number of people in the country; a high figure indicates a more developed country.

Subsistence farming

Farming that is performed to provide food for a family, where only surplus products are sold.

Social indicators

Factors that reflect the quality of life in a country, including literacy levels, education, population figures (birth and infant mortality rates), and service provision.

Economic development

The sustained effort of government and community to improve the standard of living and economic health of an area to ensure the creation of wealth.

Environmental development

The improvement of a person's natural surroundings, such as the reduction of air and water pollution.

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)

A programme introduced by the South African democratic government to provide basic needs such as housing, water, and electricity to disadvantaged citizens.

Colonialism

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Developed North

Richer, more industrialised countries indicated on the world map as more developed areas.

Developing South

Less economically developed, poorer, and less industrialised countries.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A United Nations measure that ranks countries between $0$ and $1$ based on purchasing power (per capita GDP), adult literacy, and life expectancy.

Life expectancy

The measure of how long people can expect to live.

Exploiting

Taking selfish or unfair advantage of a situation, usually for financial gain.

Trade surplus

A situation where the value of a country's exports is higher than the value of its imports.

Trade deficit

A situation where the value of a country's imports is higher than the value of its exports.

Fair trade

A trading partnership based on transparency and respect that contributes to sustainable development by offering better conditions to marginalised producers.

Vicious cycle

A process that returns to its starting point with no improvement, such as the downward spiral of poverty caused by imbalanced trade.

Political stability

A condition where a government can be expected to remain consistent and follow a constitution and responsible laws, providing safety for investors.

Beneficiation

The process of changing a primary material produced by mining or extraction into a more finished product that has a higher export sales value.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Appropriate technology

Technology that is affordable and manageable, designed to suit the needs and skills of the local society, such as the manual nut-sheller.

Multinational companies

Large companies like Toyota, Samsung, and Ford that produce over $50\%$ of the world's industrial output and operate in multiple countries.

Equitable

Characterised by justice and fairness to those involved.

Marginalised

Being kept away from the centre of attention, influence, or power.