This Is Why Countries Near the Equator Will Never Develop

Black Money

18 Nov 202308:02

Summary

TLDREconomist Jeffrey Sachs suggests that geography, particularly proximity to the equator, influences a nation's economic development. Wealthier nations tend to be located in northern latitudes, while equatorial countries face challenges like disease and climate that hinder growth. However, exceptions like India and Singapore demonstrate that equatorial nations can achieve economic prosperity. Historically, equatorial civilizations have made significant advancements, and the global economic landscape is shifting, with equatorial countries poised to become future economic powerhouses.

Takeaways

🌍 Jeffrey Sachs posits that geography, particularly proximity to the equator, plays a significant role in a nation's economic development.
📈 A global north-south wealth divide is observed, with wealthier nations predominantly located in northern latitudes.
📊 Within countries, a north-south economic divide is also noticeable, with wealth often increasing as one moves further from the equator.
❄️ Some theorists, like Montc and Henry Thomas Buckle, attribute the economic stagnation of tropical countries to their climate, suggesting colder climates foster innovation.
🤒 Diseases prevalent in warm climates, such as malaria, have historically hindered economic growth in equatorial regions.
❄️ The necessity of surviving harsh winters in northern regions may have driven the development of advanced infrastructure and food preservation techniques.
🚀 Despite challenges, equatorial countries like India, Singapore, and Hong Kong have defied economic expectations and achieved significant prosperity.
📚 Historical civilizations near the equator, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, made substantial contributions to science and development.
🌟 The economic disparity between hemispheres can be partly attributed to historical factors, including the impact of Western colonization on resource-rich regions.
🔄 The global economic landscape is dynamic, with a shift of wealth to the south as traditional Western powers decline and economies like India and China rise.
🌟 Equatorial countries are projected to become future economic powerhouses, potentially challenging the long-held view of northern economic superiority.

Q & A

What is Jeffrey Sachs' main argument about the role of geography in economic development?
-Jeffrey Sachs argues that geography plays a key role in economic development, with countries near the equator facing greater challenges in becoming developed economies due to various factors such as climate, disease, and infrastructure limitations.
Why do countries near the equator struggle with economic development, according to the video?
-Countries near the equator struggle with economic development due to factors such as harsh climates, diseases like malaria, and the failure of technologies developed in temperate zones to meet their needs. These challenges slow down productivity and hinder economic growth.
What evidence is presented to support Sachs' theory of geographic economic disparity?
-The video presents a pattern where wealthier nations, such as those in northern Europe, the U.S., and Canada, are located farther from the equator, while poorer countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, are closer to the equator. This pattern is observed globally and within nations, such as the U.S., where states further north tend to be wealthier.
Are there any exceptions to the pattern of countries near the equator being economically disadvantaged?
-Yes, there are notable exceptions such as India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. India, despite being near the equator, is one of the fastest-growing economies, while Singapore and Hong Kong are classified as high-income regions, challenging the notion that proximity to the equator correlates with lower economic status.
How does the economic disparity within the United States support Jeffrey Sachs' argument?
-Within the United States, wealth tends to increase as one moves farther from the equator. Southern states generally have lower per capita GDP than northern states, reinforcing Sachs' theory that geography, particularly proximity to the equator, plays a role in economic prosperity.
What historical examples of prosperous civilizations near the equator are mentioned?
-The video mentions several historical civilizations near the equator that made significant contributions to science and innovation, such as Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and the Indus Valley civilization. These examples challenge the idea that equatorial regions are inherently disadvantaged in terms of development.
How has colonization impacted the economic development of equatorial countries?
-Western colonization had a major impact on the economic development of equatorial countries, as European empires extracted enormous wealth from regions like Africa, India, and the Middle East. This extraction of resources significantly hindered their economic progress.
What role does climate play in the economic stagnation of tropical countries?
-The video suggests that tropical climates may foster economic stagnation because colder climates tend to push societies to innovate and develop infrastructure for survival, while warmer climates do not impose the same necessity. Additionally, diseases like malaria thrive in warm climates, further hampering economic potential.
How does the video address the potential for equatorial countries to become developed economies?
-The video acknowledges that while equatorial countries face unique challenges, they are not inherently incapable of becoming developed economies. Examples like India, Singapore, and Hong Kong demonstrate that with the right policies and strategies, these regions can achieve significant economic growth.
What future predictions does the video make about the global economic landscape?
-The video predicts a shift in the global economic landscape, with countries like India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia becoming future economic powerhouses. This shift challenges the long-held view of northern economic superiority and suggests that equatorial regions may rise in global economic prominence.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Geographical Impact on Economic Growth

Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economics professor and development expert, posits that a nation's geography significantly influences its economic development. He suggests that countries near the equator face challenges in achieving economic prosperity. The video explores this theory, noting a global pattern where wealthier nations are located at higher latitudes. This north-south wealth divide is evident within countries as well, with wealth generally increasing as one moves further from the equator. The video also discusses how climate, technology, and diseases like malaria may contribute to this divide. However, it acknowledges that with the right conditions and policies, equatorial countries can overcome these challenges and achieve developed status, citing India, Singapore, and Hong Kong as examples.

05:02

📚 Historical Achievements and Future Economic Shifts

The video script's second paragraph delves into historical evidence that counters the notion of equatorial regions being inherently less developed. It highlights the significant scientific and technological advancements made by ancient civilizations near the equator, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. These civilizations contributed to astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, shaping human progress. The script also addresses the impact of Western colonization on the economic development of equatorial regions, suggesting that the extraction of wealth by major empires has historically hindered their growth. However, with the rise of new economies like India and China, there is a shift in global wealth towards the southern hemisphere. The video concludes by inviting viewers to consider the cyclical nature of economic power and the potential for equatorial countries to become future economic powerhouses, challenging the traditional view of northern economic dominance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Geography

Geography refers to the study of the Earth's landscapes, people, places, and environments. In the context of the video, geography is highlighted as a key factor influencing a nation's economic growth. The video discusses how countries closer to the equator face unique challenges in economic development, suggesting a correlation between a country's latitude and its economic prosperity.

💡Economic Growth

Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services of an economy over a period of time. The video argues that geography, particularly proximity to the equator, plays a significant role in a nation's ability to achieve economic growth. It presents a pattern where wealthier nations are predominantly located in higher latitudes, while equatorial countries often struggle with development.

💡Equator

The equator is an imaginary line around the Earth, equidistant from the North and South Poles. The video uses the equator as a reference point to discuss the economic disparity between countries located near it and those situated further away. It suggests that countries closer to the equator may face more challenges in becoming developed economies.

💡Jeffrey Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs is a renowned economics professor and development expert mentioned in the video. He is the director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and is known for his arguments about the impact of geography on economic development. The video references his views to support the exploration of the relationship between a country's location and its economic status.

💡Colder Climates

The video suggests that colder climates may foster more vigorous societies. It references the idea that harsh winters in northern regions compel civilizations to innovate and adapt, leading to the development of sophisticated infrastructure and advanced food preservation techniques, which contribute to survival and prosperity.

💡Diseases

Diseases, particularly those that thrive in warm climates, are mentioned as a factor that can hamper the economic potential of equatorial countries. The video gives the example of malaria, which is estimated to cost Africa billions in lost GDP and has slowed economic growth in the continent by 1.3% per year.

💡Tropical Countries

Tropical countries are those located near the equator and characterized by warm climates. The video discusses the economic stagnation of tropical countries, attributing it to factors such as climate, disease prevalence, and the challenges of adapting technology developed in temperate zones to equatorial regions.

💡India

India is highlighted in the video as an exception to the general pattern of equatorial countries facing economic challenges. Despite being near the equator, India has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies and is on track to become a developed economy, challenging the notion that proximity to the equator correlates with lesser development.

💡Historical Factors

Historical factors, particularly Western colonization, are discussed as significant contributors to the economic disparity between the northern and southern hemispheres. The video mentions how major empires extracted wealth from equatorial regions, impacting their development and suggesting that the current economic landscape is a result of historical events.

💡Global Economic Landscape

The global economic landscape refers to the distribution of economic power and wealth across the world. The video suggests that this landscape is dynamic and subject to change, with a potential shift of wealth back to the southern hemisphere as economies like India and China rise. This shift challenges the long-held view of the north as the primary center of wealth.

Highlights

Jeffrey Sachs argues that geography plays a key role in economic growth.

Countries near the equator face challenges in becoming developed economies.

Wealthier nations tend to be located in Northern latitudes.

Within countries, a north-south economic divide is observed.

As countries approach the equator, they generally become poorer.

The USA's per capita income decreases as one moves southward.

Countries further from the equator, like the USA and Russia, show higher prosperity.

Africa, predominantly along the equator, has the lowest average economic status.

Climate is suggested as a factor for economic stagnation in tropical countries.

Technology developed in temperate zones may not meet equatorial needs.

Diseases like malaria cost Africa billions in lost GDP.

Harsh winters in the north may compel innovation and adaptation.

India, near the equator, is an exception as the world's fastest-growing economy.

Singapore and Hong Kong defy the pattern as high-income tropical economies.

Ancient civilizations near the equator made significant scientific advancements.

Historical colonization has impacted the development of equatorial regions.

The global economic landscape is evolving with the rise of equatorial economies.

Equatorial countries like India and Bangladesh are projected to become economic powerhouses.