Explaining global inequalities Cambridge IGCSE Sociology revision
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In plain words
The world's richest countries and its poorest are separated by a gap in income of something like a hundred to one. Sociologists do not put that down to luck or laziness. They trace it to history, to the way the world economy works, and to who holds power.
8 things to know
- Global inequality is the unequal distribution of wealth, income and life chances between the countries of the world.
- Colonialism is the control of one territory by a more powerful country, which rules it and takes its resources. For centuries European powers ruled large parts of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
- Colonial rulers took raw materials, land and labour, and shaped the colonies' economies to serve themselves. At independence, many former colonies were left poor and dependent on selling a few raw materials.
- Marxist views of capitalist exploitation: the rich countries and their companies exploit the poor ones. They buy raw materials and labour cheaply and sell finished goods at high prices. Debt and unfair trade rules keep poor countries poor.
- For Marxists the world is divided in the way a society is divided into classes, with the rich countries in the place of the ruling class.
- Feminist ideas of patriarchy: within poor countries, women are the poorest. Where men hold power, women and girls have less access to education, land, paid work and political office, and do most of the unpaid work.
- Feminists argue that development which ignores women will fail, and that educating girls is among the most effective ways to reduce poverty.
- Evaluation. Some former colonies have become rich, which suggests that government, education and stability also matter. Trade and investment have lifted many people out of poverty. No single explanation is enough.
Worked example
A country exports raw cocoa cheaply and imports expensive chocolate. Explain how a Marxist would see this.
- The country sells a raw material at a low price set by buyers in rich countries.
- The valuable stage, turning cocoa into chocolate, is done by companies elsewhere, which keep the profit.
- The country then pays high prices for the finished product.
- For a Marxist this is capitalist exploitation: wealth flows from the poor country to the rich one.
Tips and tricks
- Three explanations to learn, with one phrase for each: colonialism (history), Marxism (exploitation by capitalism), feminism (patriarchy).
- For evaluation, use the countries that were colonies and are now rich. They show that the past does not fix the future.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Explaining global inequalities: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What is colonialism?
The colony's resources served the ruling power.
How do Marxists explain global inequality?
Wealth flows from poor countries to rich ones.
What do feminists focus on in explaining global inequality?
Women are the poorest of the poor.
What were many colonies left dependent on at independence?
Their economies had been shaped to supply the ruling country.
Some former colonies are now among the richest countries in the world. What does this suggest?Stretch
Other factors, such as government and education, also matter.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Explaining global inequalities
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What is meant by the term "colonialism"?[2]
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The control of one territory by a more powerful country, which rules it and uses its resources.
Explain how colonialism contributed to global inequality.[4]
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Colonial powers took raw materials, land and labour from their colonies. The colonies' economies were organised to serve the ruling country. At independence, many were left poor, with little industry and dependent on exporting a few raw materials.
Explain the feminist view of global inequality.[4]
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Feminists argue that patriarchy makes women the poorest people in poor countries. Women and girls have less access to education, land, paid work and power, and do most unpaid work. Global inequality cannot be reduced unless the position of women is improved.
Answers: Explaining global inequalities
- 1. The control of one territory by a more powerful country, which rules it and uses its resources.
- 2. Colonial powers took raw materials, land and labour from their colonies. The colonies' economies were organised to serve the ruling country. At independence, many were left poor, with little industry and dependent on exporting a few raw materials.
- 3. Feminists argue that patriarchy makes women the poorest people in poor countries. Women and girls have less access to education, land, paid work and power, and do most unpaid work. Global inequality cannot be reduced unless the position of women is improved.