Emerging Nations Flashcards
(14 cards)
- Q: What is an emerging nation?
A: An emerging nation is a country experiencing rapid economic growth and integration into the global economy, but which still has lower income levels and development indicators than developed countries.
- Q: Can you give examples of emerging nations?
A: China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and Indonesia are key examples. They are often part of groups like BRICS or the G20.
- Q: What economic characteristics define emerging countries?
A: High GDP growth, growing industrial and service sectors, expanding middle class, increased exports, and integration into global value chains.
- Q: What are the political characteristics of emerging countries?
A: Often politically stable compared to LICs, but with ongoing challenges in governance, inequality, and sometimes democratic limitations (e.g., China’s authoritarianism vs. India’s democracy).
- Q: How do emerging nations benefit from globalisation?
A: Through foreign direct investment, expanded trade, integration in global value chains, and participation in international governance forums like the WTO or G20.
- Q: How are TNCs involved in the rise of emerging nations?
A: TNCs outsource production to emerging nations to benefit from cheap labour. In turn, many emerging nations (like China and India) have developed powerful TNCs of their own.
- Q: How do SEZs support emerging countries?
A: Special Economic Zones attract investment by offering tax incentives and infrastructure. For example, Ethiopia’s Dukem SEZ helped boost manufacturing with Chinese investment.
- Q: What are the social or environmental challenges faced by emerging nations?
A: Growing inequalities, poor labour rights, environmental degradation (pollution, deforestation), urban overcrowding, and corruption.
- Q: How have emerging countries influenced global governance?
A: They challenge the dominance of the Global North by forming blocs like BRICS and demanding reforms in global institutions (e.g. IMF voting power).
- Q: How significant is the role of emerging nations in global value chains (GVCs)?
A: Crucial. Many GVCs rely on emerging economies for manufacturing, assembly, or resource extraction. However, they often remain in low-value-added roles.
- Q: Are all emerging nations developing at the same pace?
A: No. There are big differences. China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, while others like South Africa or Brazil face stagnation and inequality despite their integration.
- Q: How do emerging nations affect the geography of development?
A: They blur the old North/South divide, as some Global South countries become highly globalised and influential, while others remain marginalised.
- Q: In what ways can emerging countries challenge the global economic order?
A: By creating alternative institutions (e.g., the BRICS Bank), controlling strategic resources, or offering competing investment models like China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- Q: How might the future role of emerging nations evolve?
A: They may become new centres of economic power, reshape international norms, and reduce Western dominance—though this depends on managing internal challenges.
