The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!
- the colonial heritage , e.g. India, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria
General statements:
We know what is happening in the third world, we know what Tied Aid does or how Multinational companies work and what they cause, but we also want to be blindfolded, we want to ignore reality so what we only see what we like.
Foreign companies own virtually everything –from banks to agriculture facilities-. The main problem is, that the money, their profit, is not re-invested in the region. As a consequence the foreigners become richer while the native population remains at a level of poverty.
The IMF and the World Bank both lend money to highly indebted states and countries so that they have a chance of developing their own industry. Once the industry is settled, the economy can stabilize and the government can pay back the borrowed money.
What It Means to Be British, Robin Cook
Chicken Tikka Massala
- British is not a race, but a majority of different races and cultures
- naval supremacy
- 200 different languages spoken in London
- Pluralism contributes to culture
- cultural diversity = reason why international companies change their hq to London
- linguistic variety
- social enrichment
- Britain absorbs other culture’s traditions
- food = perfect example for that
- London = perfect hub
- not a burden but an asset
Tourists in Third World Countries
pro:
- bring along money – might improve economy
- tourists get to know the countries and their cultures – education of people
- improved infrastructure – higher standard of living (living conditions) for some people
against:
- companies that are not related to the 3rd World country earn most of the money (food, etc)
- foreign (higher developed) countries take away profits
- prostitution and drug business booms
- tourists are privileged
Caribbean’s diversity and problems
- Although the islands belonging to the Caribbean are small an incredibly huge diversity of nationalities, languages and cultures can be found
(great variety)
- They suffer from the same problems that 3rd World countries do:
- due to a similar shared history of slavery and sugarcane there are huge differences in the distribution of property and wealth
- that means that only a few people own a lot while the majority is poor
- they are missing essential goods such as medicine, education, etc.
- there is little to no schooling (lack of educational opportunities)
- 60-50 % can neither read nor write
- no decent jobs
- not able to afford decent housing
- slums
- low life expectation
- high infant mortality
- high crime rate
- lack of jobs
- lack of investors
- unstable economy
Basically all profit’s that were generated by the region’s resources were taken away (and are still) by Multinationals.
Though the region is rich on goods it doesn’t benefit from it.
Market is controlled by multinational companies that are able to set a price for a certain good. If the Caribbean economy doesn’t accept these framing conditions the companies will simply move away and leave the region in poverty.
Facts:
The Commonwealth Caribbean consists of the territories which used to be part of the British Empire, i.e. Belize and Guyana on the mainland as well as many islands.
The Bahamas, the Greater Antilles (Jamaica etc) and the Lesser Antilles.
Many countries gained independence in the 19th century.
Their political system is based on British democracy.
Commonwealth is a voluntary association of sovereign states, nearly all which were formerly British territories. Each country is independent.
53 countries, 1.6 billion people. Queen = head. Some flags feature the Union Jack (New Zealand and Australia).