Edexcel Geography A-level: Health, Human Rights, and Intervention

Development & Quality of Life

• Development Definition: 21st-century life essentials, services, opportunities.
• Traditional Measures:
  • GDP/GDP per capita: Economic measure of wealth.
  • Life Expectancy: Estimate of lifespan based on current services and risks.
  • Literacy Rate: Indicator of education quality and economic potential.
  • Infant Mortality Rate: Reflects healthcare quality and societal attitudes towards children.
• Complex Indices:
  • Happy Planet Index: Links life expectancy, wellbeing, ecological footprint.
  • KOF Index of Globalisation: Measures economic, social, political links.
  • World Happiness Index: Measures social support, generosity, corruption.

Human Development Index

• Top 5 Countries: Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, Germany.
• Bottom 5 Countries: Niger, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad, Burundi.

Development Interpretation

• Factors Affecting Development:
  • Economies, technology, infrastructure, education, and free services.

Complex Indices Explained

• Different indices rank countries differently, highlighting the importance of context in measuring development.

Changing Definition of Development

• Development historically linked to wealth, health, and life expectancy.
• Rosling's view: Health and life expectancy are key development indicators.

Governing Strategies & Development Models

Westernisation - Democracy & Capitalism

• Democracy: Equal rights, voting system.
• Capitalism: Private ownership, profit-driven, potential for wealth inequality.
• Western Development: Seen as successful but unsustainable.

Sharia Law - Non-Secular Governance

• Law intertwined with Islamic beliefs (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
• Different interpretation levels affect women's rights and human rights records.

Bolivia - Sustainability Model

• "Law of Mother Earth": Emphasis on environmental protection.

Communism - Reducing Wealth Inequality

• State-owned industries, limited economic growth, and globalisation adaptation.

Authoritarianism - Opposite to Democracy

• Government/individual control, poor record on development and rights.

Health and Development

Health in Developing Countries

• Challenges: Poor healthcare, malnutrition, water access, climate.
• Rapid urbanisation leads to overcrowded informal settlements.

Health in Developed Countries

• Generally better health infrastructure and access.
• Lifestyle diseases (obesity, diabetes) and urban density-related issues.

Inequalities in Health

• Variations within countries (UK example) and across socio-economic, gender, ethnic groups.

Importance of Development Factors

Education

• Night School: Vocational skills and adult education.
• Primary Education: Health and life improvement.
• Further Education: Specialized education for workforce development.
• Barriers: Gender inequality, socio-economic factors, epidemics, conflict.

Inter-Governmental Organisations & Conventions

United Nations

• Millennium Development Goals: Framework for global development (2000-2015).
• Sustainable Development Goals: Expanded goals for 2030.

Human Rights Conventions

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Basis for international law.
• European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): Promotes democracy, integration.
• Geneva Convention: War-time protection of non-combatants.

Alternative Approaches to Human Rights

• East vs. West focus: Economic/cultural rights vs. civil/political rights.
• Global communication influences human rights awareness.

Political Corruption

• Impact: Economic loss, stifled development, increased inequality.
• UN Convention against corruption advocates international cooperation.

Demands for Equality

• Developed countries push for gender equality and equal opportunities.
• Cultural shifts demand emerging societies to aim for equal rights.

Geopolitical Interventions

Types of Aid

• Development Aid: Supports growth, but local involvement is crucial.
• Trade Embargos: Restrictions based on policy or security concerns.
• Military Aid: Supports defense rather than conflict initiation.
• Disaster Aid: Most common, post-disaster support.

Appropriate Interventions

• Interventions often related to strategic interests.
• Military action can destabilize short-term, but may promote longer-term stability.

Impact of Military Action

• Can aid or hinder development and human rights, depending on execution.

Conclusion

• Aid and intervention often have mixed outcomes, requiring careful consideration of short- and long-term impacts.