Key GCSE Terms

What is a ‘TNC’?

Transnational corporation - A firm that owns or controls productive operations in more than one country through foreign direct investment.

What is an ‘FDI’?

Foreign direct investment - Overseas investment in physical capital by transnational corporations.

What is an ‘NGO’?

Non-governmental organisation - A national or international private organisation, which is distinct from governmental or intergovernmental agencies.

What is ‘Intermediate technology’?

Often small-scale technology that the local community can use without too much straining or high costs.

What is a ‘Top-Down’ approach?

The higher status opinion, e.g headteacher + senior leadership team deciding hat’s best for the school, without teachers + students making decisions.

What is a ‘Bottom-Up’ approach?

A more democratic approach, e.g students + school body having a large role in decision making for the school.

What is ‘Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)’?

A way of adjusting Gross National Income to allow for the differences in what US$1 can buy in different countries.

What is ‘Urbanisation’?

A rise in the percentage of people living in urban areas, compared to rural areas. Causes of this include better access to services and healthcare.

What is a ‘Mega City’?

A city with a population of 10 million or more (e.g Tokyo or London).

What is a ‘Major city’?

A city with a population of more than 200,000.

What is a ‘Primate City’?

A city that is so important within a country that they dominate its economic, financial and political systems.

What is a ‘World City’?

A city, not defined by size, which has a global influence on aspects such as the economy and politics (e.g London).

What is ‘Counter-Urbanisation’?

Where people leave the city to go and live in smaller towns or the countryside for a better quality of life.

What is a ‘Push Factor’?

A push factor is something that makes you dislike and leave an area (pushes you away).

What is a ‘Pull Factor’?

A pull factor is something attractive, drawing you into wanting to move and go to an area (pulling you in).

What is ‘Formal Employment’?

Jobs where people work for regular pay, have employment rights and pay taxes.

What is ‘Informal Employment’?

Unofficial work, often without regular pay or employment rights or payment of taxes.

What does ‘CBD’ stand for?

Central Business District

What is the ‘HDI’?

Human Development Index - A statistical summary measure of human development (e.g life expectancy, education, literacy rate, school enrolment, and per capita income).

What is the ‘GDP’?

Gross Domestic Product - The total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period, usually a quarter or a year.

What is ‘Subsistence Agriculture’?

Farming in which crops are grown for the farmer’s own use, to feed their family.

Define colonialism?

Acquiring control over another country, occupying it with settlers and exploiting it economically.

Define neo-colonialism?

The dominance of poor countries by rich countries, not by direct political control (as in colonialism), but by economic power and cultural influence.

Define open economy?

A country with few trade barriers, which encourages trade with other countries.

Define closed economy?

A country which does little trade beyond its border.

What is a landlocked country?

A landlocked country is one that has no access to the sea.

What is corruption?

Corruption is the misuse of power for personal gain, often involving money.