Developed vs. Underdeveloped Nations: A Comparative Analysis
Developed vs. Underdeveloped Nations
Characteristics
- Developed Countries: High income per capita (+$5000), technologically advanced industry, high standard of living (health, education, culture), high level of consumption, stable demographic growth.
- Underdeveloped Countries: Low income per capita (-$2000), limited industrial development, export of natural resources, low level of consumption, high level of demographic growth (high birth rates), totalitarian political systems, social inequality.
Inequalities
- Unequal production capacity
- Unequal consumption capacity
- Energy consumption disparities
- Food consumption disparities
Causes of Inequalities
Historical Processes
Colonization of Europe over underdeveloped countries. Industrial Revolution in Europe (19th century). Metropolises imported raw materials to Europe and the USA and exported manufactured products, leading to colonized countries’ dependence on western manufacturers.
Natural Conditions
Wealthy countries often identified with temperate zones. Human groups transformed hostile environments through work and technical developments, leading to very developed areas in extreme environments.
Abundance of Natural Resources
Not an essential condition (e.g., Japan vs. Brazil, Congo).
Gap Between Population and Resources
Unequal Exchange: Centre-Periphery Model
- Centre: Countries which export industrial and advanced technology, dominate trade and overseas investments through subsidiaries of their multinationals, and impose their political and economic dominance through product price control (e.g., USA).
- Periphery: Countries specialized in the production and export of raw material or low-level industrial products. Exploitation of cheap labor.
- Semi-Periphery: Countries that lie between the two regions. Backwards and modern features, generate strong internal inequalities. Exploit peripheral countries but are themselves exploited by the centre countries.
Spain: A Case Study
Spain is a member of the EU. Area: 504,030 m3. The 2nd largest country in the EU. A democracy organized in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy. Very high living standards (15th). Member of UN, NATO, and OECD.
Political Structure
1978 constitution leading to regional autonomous governments. 1979: first autonomous elections, Basque and Catalan regions (nationalist movements). All autonomous communities are ruled by a government elected by a unicameral legislature. State of Autonomies, functioning almost as a Federation of Autonomous Communities.
Communities with more than one province: the government is held by the Provincial Deputation. Members of PDs are indirectly elected by citizens according to the results of municipal elections, except in the Basque Provinces. Most of the municipalities having the same powers, ruled in a parliamentary style. The number of Councillors is determined by the population.
- Executive power: Council of Ministers, headed by the President of the Government, nominated by the King. The Prime Minister designates the rest of the members of the Council who are then appointed by the King.
- Legislative power: Directly elects a legislature, General Courts, with two chambers: Congress of Deputies and Senate.
- Judicial Power: Exercised by professional judges and magistrates.
Cultural Diversity
Distinct cultural groups, including Basques, Catalans, and Galicians. Descendants of former colonies (Equatorial Guinea) and immigrants from Sub-Saharan and Caribbean countries. Gitanos: around 700,000.
Languages and Immigration
Spanish is spoken all over the country, with co-official languages: Basque (Basque Country), Catalan (Catalonia, Balearic Islands), Valencian (Valencian Community), Galician (Galicia). Others: Bable and Leonese. Immigration: 4.4 million foreign residents, the 2nd highest immigration in the EU. Reasons: its cultural ties with Latin America, its geographical position and the porosity of its borders, the strength of the agricultural and construction sectors, which demand more low-cost labor than can be offered by the national workforce.