What are the causes and consequences of uneven development?
The physical, historical, economic and political causes of uneven development; the consequences for people and the environment; and contrasting theories of development, including Rostow's model and dependency theory.
A focused answer to OCR GCSE Geography B (J384) Dynamic Development on uneven development, covering the physical, historical, economic and political causes, the consequences for people, and Rostow's model and dependency theory.
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What this dot point is asking
This is OCR GCSE Geography B (J384) Component 2, People and Society, within Dynamic Development: "What are the causes and consequences of uneven development?" OCR expects you to explain the physical, historical, economic and political causes of uneven development, the consequences for people and the environment, and two contrasting theories of development: Rostow's modernisation model and dependency theory.
The causes of uneven development
OCR groups the causes into four types. Use a range.
The consequences of uneven development
The effects fall on people and the environment in the less developed countries.
- For people: poverty, poor health (low life expectancy, high infant mortality), limited education, poor housing and services, and migration as people leave in search of work, sometimes draining skilled workers (a "brain drain").
- For the environment: pressure to exploit resources (deforestation, mining) for income, often with little protection, and difficulty affording clean technology, so environmental damage can worsen.
Uneven development also shapes global relationships, with wealthier countries holding economic and political power.
Two theories of development
OCR requires two contrasting explanations.
Rostow usefully shows a path of growth and explains some success stories, but is criticised as Eurocentric and for assuming every country has the same chances. Dependency theory usefully explains how colonial history and unfair trade hold countries back, but can be too pessimistic. Together they give a fuller picture: development depends on both internal investment and external relationships.
Try this
Q1. State two political causes of uneven development. [2 marks]
- Cue. Conflict or war and corruption (also political instability).
Q2. Explain one criticism of Rostow's model. [3 marks]
- Cue. It is Eurocentric and assumes every country can follow the same path with equal chances, ignoring colonial history and unfair trade.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksExplain how physical factors can slow a country's development. (Component 2)Show worked answer →
A 4-mark "Explain" question assessing AO1 and AO2 of development causes. Markers reward developed physical factors.
Award credit for: a landlocked location with no coastline makes trade harder and more expensive, because goods must cross other countries to reach a port. A harsh climate or frequent natural hazards (droughts, floods, tropical storms, earthquakes) destroy crops, homes and infrastructure, draining money into recovery rather than development. Poor soils or a lack of fresh water limit farming, and a heavy disease burden (such as malaria in tropical areas) reduces the healthy workforce. Top answers link the physical factor to its effect on the economy, not just name it.
OCR 20216 marksAssess the usefulness of Rostow's model and dependency theory in explaining why countries develop at different rates. (Component 2)Show worked answer →
A 6-mark "Assess" question marked by levels of response, assessing AO1, AO2 and AO3, with a judgement.
Strong answers outline Rostow's modernisation model (five stages from traditional society to high mass consumption, suggesting all countries can develop by investing and industrialising) and dependency theory (a core-periphery world system in which wealthy core countries keep poorer periphery countries dependent through trade, debt and TNCs). They assess each: Rostow usefully shows a path of economic growth and explains the success of some Asian economies, but is criticised as Eurocentric and for assuming every country follows the same route with equal chances. Dependency theory usefully explains how colonial history and unfair trade hold countries back, but can be too pessimistic and downplay internal factors. A good judgement concludes that the two together give a fuller explanation than either alone, because development is shaped by both internal investment and external relationships. Markers reward both theories and a balanced judgement.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Geography B (J384) specification — OCR (2016)