Question 1
Geographic perspective is a way of acquiring an understanding of the world (Battersby, 2006). It involves knowing various details in the world including distribution, processes, place, location, relationships, clusters, movement, patterns, accessibility, change, and connections. This perspective is particularly employed in analyzing any topic with spatial distribution, which means that it can analyze anything that can be mapped. It helps in the understanding of anything, whose distribution is across the earth’s space. Thereby, through geographic perspective, it is possible to understand the ever changing relationship between the human beings and their environment.
Geographic perspective approach is utilized in the analysis of local, regional, national, and international events and situations by following an outlaid procedure. At first, spatial distributions are documented by geographers. They inquire on who or what is under observation, when it will be observed, and its location. The next move involves the geographers investigating the underlying spatial processes that cause the observed spatial distribution. They inquire on how the spatial distribution came to be and why it is the way it is. In the final move, after the geographers have understood why the observed situations and events exist, then they can make predictions and decisions on whether the situation or event should be maintained or changed (De et al, 2011).
For instance, in trying to understand the uneven temperature distribution over the earth’s surface, geographers will look at the fact that the sun angle is a factor that influences the energy received in a particular region and the go further in finding out whether latitude has any influence on the sun’s angle and may therefore be contributing to the global temperature distribution pattern.
Question 2
The concept of globalization is the global process of moving towards integration of the economy, finance, communications and trade (Rajagopal,2007). This implies that local and national perspectives are opened to a broader outlook where the world is interconnected and interdependent. In such a world, capital, services and goods are freely transferred across national frontiers. Globalization, however, does not include unimpeded movement of labor and if applied arbitrarily, this concept may lead to hurting of smaller and weak economies.
Globalization is a process that can be seen historically in three phases. The first phase is the archaic phase which refers to the period of globalizing events that occurred from the earliest civilizations to around the year 1600.In this period, relationships between communities were created and ideas were geographically transmitted at local and international levels. The second phase is the early modern phase where globalization events occurred between the year 1600 and 1800.It is the phase noted with increased trade links and cultural exchanges and preceded modern globalization. The third and final phase in history is the modern phase which occurred in the 19th century and was caused by industrial revolution. Due to industrialization, there was standard household items production and rapid population growth both of which were huge factors in globalization.
The current world’s economic system is a result of such processes as political decisions, wars, military wars, and social changes. Numerous improvements in transportation and communication have led to increased international business that is witnessed currently. The current global market requires business enterprises to source their goods, labor, materials and services overseas so that they can constantly ensure that their products and services are competitive (De et al, 2011).
Since the world has become increasingly interconnected, such that it is now a global village, it is difficult to predict the future of globalization. The bible has been seen to be the most correct source of prediction when it comes to rising and falling of great economies, it can therefore be used in predicting what is to come. It predicts that a group of nations will topple the United States of America as the superpower. Globalization will thrive during the reign of this group of nations to levels that have never been seen in the history of mankind. However, this prosperity will not be experienced by all nations.
Question 3
There are numerous reasons that cause Sub-Saharan Africa to remain in the grip of poverty. They include both political economic and social economic reasons. Political economic reasons include non-developmental politics, weak nations and states, corruption, resource curse and weak civil societies. The social economic reasons include low capabilities, risk and vulnerability, limited livelihood opportunities and inequalities.
There are numerous aspects in the Sub-Saharan Africa which hamper poverty reduction efforts for instance the weak separation between public and private spheres, private misuse of public properties, and regular use of vertical exchange relationships. Corruption is another major factor where the abuse of office for private gain is a norm in Sub-Saharan Africa states. It ultimately leads to increased poverty as only few individuals develop. Weakness of the states is another main factor where few individuals take control of the nation thereby marginalizing most of the citizens. Risk and vulnerability is a main social economic factor as poor people in Sub-Saharan Africa are faced with higher risks as they are overly dependent on agriculture and tropical ecologies. Market failure also contributes significantly to poverty prevalence in SSA. Many poor people do not have the adequate resources required to protect them from market shocks. Low capabilities among the people in SSA causes increased poverty as people with persistent poverty are known to have multiple deprivations of capabilities (De et al, 2011).
References
De, B. H. J., Muller, P. O., & Nijman, J. (2011). Geography: Realms, regions, and concepts.
Battersby, S. E., & University of California, Santa Barbara. (2006). Distortion of area in the global-scale cognitive map: A geographic perspective. Santa Barbara, Calif.: University of California, Santa Barbara.
Rajagopal, . (2007). Dynamics of international trade and economy: An inquiry into emerging markets. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
