CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - PROBLEMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This chapter describes the problems of economic development and differences between countries. Differences between regions within countries are only one form of spatial inequality. International differences are obviously inevitable in view of the diversity of the earth's surface, but they have been intensified by the process of economic development. As a result, there are wide differences in levels of economic, and social welfare, and in levels of technical ability between countries. These differences create many problems. It is observed that because of the interplay of a considerable number of factors, widely different levels of development can be found between countries. The distinguishing feature of the underdeveloped countries is poverty, but there is no rigid division between the rich and poor countries of the world, rather a continuum ranging from absolute poverty to considerable wealth. It is therefore possible to talk of semi-developed countries occupying an intermediate position on the continuum, and even in the planned economies a range of development exists.