Objective 1:Learn

The map shows a noticeable distinction that the number Global North countries are far less than the number of Global South countries.  The Global North consists mostly of northern states of the American and Asian continents and all European states.  I agree that it is quite common that many use national incomes as basis of determining whether a country is considered poor or rich.  This could be accurate but I believe there are much more factors that sets poor and rich countries apart.  With this, I would like to focus on four areas that distinguishes the Global South from the Global North countries. 

First, as discussed in class, many Global North countries are former colonizers with many of its colonies belonging to the Global South.  Global South countries were exploited for the benefit of their colonizers and their people were subject to follow their ‘masters’ as they were considered to be of lower status than their ‘white’ conquerors.  Today, many of these former colonies remain dependent on their former colonizers.  As in the case of the Philippines, it is still greatly reliant on the US in many areas.  I can go into more comparisons between the two countries and there is a big disparity in the performance of both countries.  

Second, from past discussions, Global North countries are able to produce manufactured goods while Global South countries are producers primarily of agricultural products.  Trade benefits a country since it can earn from what it exports.  If such products are exported, it would mean that Global North countries are much more likely to gain profit from what they produce than the Global South will receive for their agricultural products.  Agricultural products have less value in the international trading scene than manufactured products, which the industrialized countries produce.  

Third, I believe that Global South countries invest less on education than Global North countries do.  Education is very important in a person’s success in the world.  The lack of education in a country means that it would hard to be able to move forward. People need proper education to push themselves out of poverty.  This is something I firmly believe in because it is evident in society that those who have a good educational background are able to get better jobs.  

Fourth, I believe that corruption is a big factor in hindering the development of Global South countries and there is comparatively less corruption in the Global North countries.  Without a fair and just government, a country cannot move forward.  If only governments would put the money in the right place, circumstances would be different for developing nations.  It is also important that priorities are set straight.  In the Global North, it seems that many have distinct priorities.  In the Global South, it seems that the system is overwhelmed and the money allocated is not sufficient for the more essential areas that may help bring countries out of poverty.  

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how to overcome the division between the Global South and the Global North countries.  However, I think that if the Global South countries try to see what hinders them from developing, then I believe that they can rise up and possibly even challenge the more industrialized north.  What I have listed above are merely my opinions of what I think they can do to develop.  However, each country is unique and has different problems from another.  If countries like Singapore and South Korea were able to rise from being 'less developed countries', then I believe that every other country in the world may be able to do so as well.  :)