Detailed Notes - Health, Human Rights and Intervention - Edexcel Geography A-level 2
Development & Quality of Life
Development encompasses what 21st-century life should involve:
Essentials: Access to clean water, electricity, essential services, opportunities.
Measurement of Development:
Traditionally measured through economic and social factors.
Key Economic and Social Indicators of Development
GDP and GDP per capita:
GDP: Total economic output of a country.
GDP per capita: Average wealth per person; can be misleading due to income inequality.
Life Expectancy:
Reflects health and lifestyle; prediction based on current conditions and future advances.
Literacy Rate:
Quality of education correlates to economic potential.
Infant Mortality Rate:
Indicates healthcare quality and societal attitudes toward children.
Evolution of Development Measurement
Development perspectives vary by society.
Complex indices emerge:
Happy Planet Index: Integrates ecological footprint with life expectancy and well-being.
KOF Index of Globalization: Assesses interconnectedness across economic, social, and political dimensions.
World Happiness Index: Focuses on social support, generosity, and government transparency; its validity is debated due to media influence.
Human Development Index (HDI)
Top Countries on HDI:
Norway: 0.953
Switzerland: 0.944
Australia: 0.939
Ireland: 0.938
Germany: 0.936
Bottom Countries on HDI:
Niger: 0.354
Central African Republic: 0.367
South Sudan: 0.388
Chad: 0.404
Burundi: 0.417
Reasons for High HDI in Top Countries:
Strong economies with diverse industries.
Efficient infrastructure, reliable utilities, and education access.
Comprehensive public services including healthcare and education.
Happy Planet Index (HPI)
Top Countries on HPI:
Costa Rica: 44.7
Mexico: 40.7
Colombia: 40.7
Vanuatu: 40.6
Vietnam: 40.3
Bottom Countries on HPI:
Chad: 12.8
Luxembourg: 13.2
Togo: 13.2
Benin: 13.4
Mongolia: 14.3
Observation:
HPI does not correlate directly with HDI rankings due to varying lifestyles and government structures.
Examples:
Costa Rica: Invests defense budget in education and healthcare.
Vietnam: Public service funding reduces poverty and inequality.
Norway: High HPI due to strong social services but faces ecological sustainability challenges.
Literacy Rates
Top Countries with 100% literacy rates:
Andorra, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Cuba.
Bottom Countries (literacy rates below 40%):
Niger, Mali, Guinea, Afghanistan.
Trends in Literacy Rates:
Correlated with HDI due to education systems.
Country self-reporting may inflate literacy statistics.
Changing Definition of Development
Historical link between wealth and development measurement.
Hans Rosling emphasizes correlating health and life expectancy with development.
Different Governance Models Affecting Development
Westernization:
Based on democracy and capitalism, leading to economic growth but also reliance on profit motives.
Sharia Law:
Intertwines law with religious principles affecting governance and social justice.
Model of Sustainability (Bolivia):
Focuses on environmental rights and responsibilities.
Advocates for ecological conservation and references climate change initiatives.
Communism and Authoritarian Governance:
Governed industries can lead to service stagnation despite equality ideals.
Health in Developing Countries
Health challenges resulting from lower resources:
Poor healthcare access and facilities, significant malnutrition, and waterborne diseases.
Climate Impacts:
Tropical diseases exacerbated by geography.
Urban overcrowding leads to rapid disease spread.
Health in Developed Countries
Good healthcare access linked to high life expectancy:
Positive factors: clean water supply, disposable income, lifestyle choices.
Challenges: lifestyle-related diseases and urban health threats.
Variations in Health within a Country
Significant health disparities related to gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
Economic Decline:
E.g., deindustrialization in certain regions affects health outcomes.
Addressing Health Inequality
Gender roles sometimes align with health risks:
Media representation and cultural norms can contribute to health actions.
Indigenous and minority health disparities:
Access and cultural barriers to healthcare services.
Importance of Education
Critical factor for improving health and economic opportunities:
Night school can foster vocational skills leading to economic improvements.
Primary education increases reading and writing skills, directly affecting health awareness.
Barriers to Education
Gender inequality remains a primary hindrance,
Other obstacles: epidemic outbreaks, political conflicts, and funding issues.
Development Organizations and Models
Social development tied to economic metrics and investments.
International Organizations (IGOs):
Support economic recovery post-World War II (e.g., IMF, WTO).
Human Rights Frameworks
United Nations (UN):
Monitors human rights through frameworks like Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Critiques on MDGs sparking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formation in 2015.
Global Human Rights and Political Corruption
Corruption hinders development:
Diverts funds away from social and infrastructure services.
Inequalities due to political decisions can hinder human rights enforcement.
Demands for Equality
Focus on addressing gender inequality; ongoing efforts in global context.
Political reactions to human rights issues reflect societal pressures and movements.
Geopolitical Interventions
Types of Aid:
Development Aid, Trade Embargos, Military Aid, Disaster Aid, and their respective impacts on development.
Political Interventions:
Connections to human rights abuses can lead to diplomatic strains.
Summary of Aid and Intervention Impact
Aid can facilitate development but also lead dependence.
Military actions may prompt changes but risk human rights violations.
Conclusion:
Interventions typically aim for short-term gains but can impose further long-term implications on recipient countries and communities. Individual country examples play significant roles in understanding these dynamics.