Rosling: Idea on developing world (Essay Sample)

Rosling
Date
1. Idea on developing world
Even though developing world holds a lot of potential for growth and economic prosperity, it is opposed by Rosling because there is no equal platform for comparing different countries. Rosling (2013) identifies that unless there is a common point of reference, it is wrong to refer to some countries as developing. He further notes that some of the countries that are regarded as developing have significantly improved in terms of developments. He notes that many people are yet to identify the progress made by these countries in the recent past. The failure to learn about the progress made by these countries is attributed to the media and school. Media and schools have failed to communicate a fact-based world view due to their continuous use of the word “developing countries”. The rate at which these countries are improving in comparison with how the United States developed in the same period is high. Therefore, he is of the opinion that the countries should be referred to as middle-income economies.
Rosling (2013) suggests that countries should be grouped into more than two divisions. He notes that earlier in 1960’s it was relevant to categorize countries into developed or developing countries due to the massive disparities in economies that existed during that time. The components that are used to describe countries as developing include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth rate, life span, mortality rate and average income in the population. The countries that have low growth rates, life span, GDP and average income fall under the category of developing countries. In addition, those countries with high mortality rates also fall under the same category. On the other hand, countries whose GDP was above average and had long education, low mortality rates and small families were referred to as developed countries. During this period, developing countries had no education. Its population was increasing significantly. The wide gap between the developed and developing countries created the nations blocs. The western bloc entirely controlled the world economy. It was hard to find countries in the middle. Rosling(2013) identifies another bloc; the soviet dominated countries. These are the communist countries, which according to their nature, lived outside the world economy.
In order to enclose these countries into the world economy some people advocated for three categories namely the first world (Western countries), the second world (the communists) and the third world largely dominated by poor countries from Africa and South America. However, the soviet nations collapsed and formed new economies. It is for this reason that Rosling (2013) suggests that although the disparity between rich and poor countries is wide, the gap left in the middle has been filled with countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. Using two words to describe all this nations is not enough. Therefore, the uses of the word developing and developed countries are obsolete.
2. Changes that have taken place in developing world in the last 100 years
Developing countries have over the past 100 years changed in terms of their life span, GDP and mortality rates. The number of children per woman in developing countries has declined dramatically. The fertility in some continents such as Asia has dropped. In addition, the countries have also developed in the average income in the population. This has been attributed to changes in lifestyle where there are more chances of accessibility to health centers. There is increased awareness from the people on a common diseases and how people can avoid them. Women health in some developing countries has been given utmost priority hence the reduction in child mortality. Literacy levels have also progressively improved, making people understand the best approaches to productive lives. Women birth control mechanisms have been enhanced in the developing countries. It has also been noted that vaccinations of common diseases have been on the rise. Killer diseases such as measles and polio have been eradicated in most of the developing countries. This includes the introduction of vaccines such as penicillin, which act as antibiotics controlling infections in human beings. The social systems in many of the countries have also changed where practices such as wife inheritance are reducing. In addition, infrastructures in developing countries have improved. In many developing countries, nations have built hospital and schools which have contributed heavily to changes in health care and social activities. Improved infrastructure such has roads, and railways and airports have opened developing countries to the rest of the world. Food production has increased in many developing countries with the use of technology in agriculture. Consequently, trade activities have also increased. Many people can now live longer lives.
3. Role of United States in changes identified
To achieve the identified changes United States has played a significant role especially through USAID and other supportive programs. USAID is a non-profit organization that has established different development projects in developing countries. There are also a number of non –governments organization that are involved directly in helping people in developing countries. Additionally people in the United States contribute indirectly to the changes identified through their support to the USAID. Individuals in United States also volunteer their skills to this program. The government also contributes a significant amount of money to this program. The agency has helped the number of children who are able to access formal education. USAID sponsors many children in developing countries to access quality education. USAID support comes in from of education learning materials, infrastructure, volunteer teachers and even construction of schools in some parts. This has helped reduce levels of illiteracy, which are associated with underdevelopment. USAID also focuses on promoting health in the developing countries and as such has supported the establishment of health facilities. This is through building of health centers where people in marginalized areas can access basic health care. The program also carries major campaigns in educating the population on infectious diseases such HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis. USAID has further promoted prevention of common disease such as malaria in the developing world. In order to promote good health, USAID has supported hunger-stricken regions of developing countries by supplying relief food.
Apart from the USAID the United States gives financial aid and grants to many developing countries which have fostered changes. This financial aid is used to finance economic projects such as construction of roads, dams and irrigation projects. It is also used to finance key sectors of the economy such as education, health care and other essential reforms in developing countries.
However, United States is also accused of brain drain from developing countries. In some developing countries educated people have found their way to the United States after working for programs such the USAID. This has left developing countries disadvantaged in terms of manpower.
4. HIV/AIDS analysis in Africa
There is differing prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in Africa between different countries that are attributed to different approaches of individual countries. For instance, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases than any other part of Africa and the world. Wife inheritance and polygamy, which is a common practice in some communities in Africa, has contributed to the spread of the disease. In some communities, the culture requires that brothers take the wife of their deceased brother. This is in addition to low levels of literacy about the disease and myths surrounding its causes. Poverty also contributes to a high number of cases of HIV/AIDS. Many people are engaged in unprotected sexual activities in order to get cash for their daily survival. Prostitution is rampant in urban areas in Africa. However, culture and low levels of literacy are highly associated to HIV/AIDS. Culture seems to be a reason behind the low levels of prevalence observed in some countries. In these countries that the prevalence is low, the government has sensitized people on the importance of avoiding culture practices that spreads the disease. In some countries like in the north of Africa, religion seems to play a significant role in the low prevalence observed. Islam dominates large parts of North- Africa. Religion (Islam) influences the culture of people in these regions. The governments in these countries also provide preventive measures such as condoms and advocate for faithfulness in marriages.
5. Barriers to full converge of developed and devel...