Everywhere in the world, people count on their government to do a lot of things, from protecting their borders to providing access to safe water. Citizens pay taxes to give all levels of government the money and ability to make decisions that will improve their quality of life.

In many countries, however, governments fail to provide a good quality of life for their citizens. Why? Governments with weak economies do not have much money to work with. As well, some governments make poor choices that do not benefit their people. Sometimes government officials put their own needs and wants before those of their people. Sometimes they make choices that cause damage to the environment. As well, some governments start or fund wars or do not provide adequate help during times of conflict.

For example, by February 2014, Syria had endured civil war for three years. Fighting had completely ruined the Yarmouk neighbourhood in the capital city of Damascus. The impact of the fighting can be seen in Figure 7.14. The government had refused to allow the delivery of food aid for eight months.

HOW DO GOVERNMENTS

AFFECT QUALITY OF LIFE?

GOVERNMENT CORRUPTIONA problem that all countries around the world face is corruption. Government corruption happens when government officials use their power or authority to be dishonest with citizens or to commit illegal activities. They may use the government’s money to make themselves wealthy. When there is corruption in a country, there is less money to build infrastructure and to offer services such as healthcare and education.

Exposing corruption in a country can help to decrease it. For example, in 2004, Harvard University researchers discovered corruption was impacting an education program in Uganda. Only 13 percent of the money meant for the program was received. Evidence led to the conclusion that the missing 87 percent was taken by local politicians. After the report came out, some Ugandan government officials worked actively on ending corruption. It is still an ongoing challenge.

What other methods can be used to help fight corruption? An organization called Transparency International leads the global fight against corruption. Transparency means making information visible and easy to access. For its corruption perceptions index, the organization asks analysts and businesspeople around the world to rate countries and territories by level of public sector, or government-controlled, corruption. It combines the ratings, and scores countries and territories on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Figure 7.15 is a map based on Transparency International’s findings. What patterns can you see from this map? You may notice that no country has a perfect score of 100.

What are some environmental impacts

of war?

FIGURE 7.14 In February 2014, refugees lined up for hours waiting for food at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, Syria. According to the UN, some people in this camp had nothing to eat but animal feed.

I wonder why a government would not allow food aid for its own people?

corruption dishonest or illegal actions taken by authorities in power

public sector the part of a country’s economy that is controlled by the government

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

PACIFIC

OCEANINDIAN

OCEAN

ARCTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC

OCEAN

0˚30˚W60˚W90˚W150˚W 120˚W 30˚E 60˚E 90˚E 120˚E 150˚E 180˚180˚

0˚30˚W60˚W90˚W150˚W 120˚W 30˚E 60˚E 90˚E 120˚E 150˚E 180˚180˚

60˚N

30˚N

0˚

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60˚N

30˚N

30˚S

0˚

60˚SAntarctic Circle

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Capricorn

Equator

Arctic Circle

N

2000 km0

Corruption Perceptions Index, 2014

FIGURE 7.15 This map shows the public sector corruption of different countries in 2014, as estimated by the organization Transparency International. The data is based on experts’ opinions, or perceptions, of levels of corruption.

80–89

90–99

100

no data

0–9

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20–29

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70–79

Corruption Score

CHAPTER 7: Challenges to Improving Quality of Life 213NEL212 UNIT 2: Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life NEL

HEROES IN ACTION

JIWO DAMAR ANARKIE: ANTI-CORRUPTION LEADER

Indonesia is a country that has a high

level of corruption. In 2013, more than

one in three people reported that they

or someone in their family had paid a

bribe over the past year. The Indonesian

government and legal system are part of

the corruption. It was reported that two in

three people were forced

to pay bribes in court.

Three in four people were

forced to pay bribes to

the police.

Jiwo Damar Anarkie

(Figure 7.17) is a young

Indonesian man who

speaks up against

corruption in his country.

He co-founded Future

Leaders for Anti-Corruption (FLAC)

Indonesia. FLAC is a youth organization

that runs an anti-corruption education

campaign. Anarkie feels that young people

can change the future of corruption in

Indonesia. Using storytelling, singing,

and puppets, he brings his anti-corruption

message to elementary school students.

He says, “They’re very young, at the stage

where character building is still possible.

Storytelling is one of the most effective

ways to do so.” He believes that teaching

the next generation to have integrity and

respect for one another

will decrease future

corruption in the country.

FLAC also engages older

students through anti-

corruption contests, music,

and mini-conferences.

FLAC began by working

with four schools in

Jakarta, the capital of

Indonesia. The program

became very successful. FLAC has

received funding and support from local

and international anti-corruption groups.

This funding has allowed Anarkie and

his FLAC team to reach more schools

by hiring more staff and purchasing

more supplies.

Anarkie hopes to inspire students to

be caring and responsible citizens as they

grow older and to live free from corruption.

A CALL TO ACTION 1. FLAC uses storytelling as a learning

tool. With a partner, write a story about

the negative effects of corruption.

Use creative storytelling to present your

story to the class.

2. What would you do if you were

asked for a bribe to get something

you needed? Write a journal entry

describing how you would feel and

how you would handle the situation.

“THEY’RE VERY YOUNG, AT THE STAGE WHERE CHARACTER

BUILDING IS STILL POSSIBLE. STORYTELLING IS ONE OF THE

MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DO SO.”

THE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION ON THE ECONOMYCorruption decreases quality of life and discourages positive economic activity. The World Bank has estimated that US$1.1 trillion is spent worldwide on bribes, or illegal payments and favours, every year. Corruption occurs in a variety of ways. Some government officials steal money. Some officials give job contracts only to businesses that offer bribes. In this case, the company that gets the contract may not be the most qualified company. For example, in 2012, several mayors and other politicians in Québec were investigated for corruption. They were accused of taking bribes from a construction company in exchange for government job contracts. Will exposing this case help to end similar types of corruption in Québec?

Many people, particularly in developing countries, have to pay bribes to start a new business or pay the police to allow them to sell goods. This negatively affects people’s job opportunities and incomes, which affects their quality of life. To create change, many citizens protest against government corruption (Figure 7.16). As well, the growing attendance of officials from developing countries at Transparency International conferences is showing that these countries are determined to fight corruption.

How can individuals work toward decreasing government corruption?

FIGURE 7.16 These people in Ankara, Turkey, are protesting against corruption, the prime minister, and his government in June 2014.

I wonder why many protests are initiated by the younger population rather than people from other levels of society?

FIGURE 7.17 Jiwo Damar Anarkie with some of the puppets he uses to teach his anti-corruption message to children

214 UNIT 2: Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life CHAPTER 7: Challenges to Improving Quality of Life 215NEL NEL

MAKING CONNECTIONS 1. Work in pairs to list skills you think an advocate

should have.

2. Think of a change that would help people or the

environment. What actions could you take to create

this change?

LASTING PROBLEMSAs mentioned, not all transitions to independence have been peaceful. When former colonies are forced together to create a new country, conflicts may arise, particularly when there are differences in religion and culture.

Consider the case of Sudan. In 1956, Sudan became a country. This brought together people from the two British colonies of North Sudan and South Sudan. There was already a bitter and violent history between these two groups of people. After the country of Sudan was formed, a civil war began that lasted from 1956 to 1977, and again from 1983 to 2005. According to the UN, the conflict in Sudan killed as many as 300 000 people and displaced 2 million more. South Sudan eventually became its own nation in 2011.

Quality of life is very poor in Sudan and South Sudan. In 2013, Sudan’s HDI score ranked 166 out of 187 countries; South Sudan ranked last at 187. Sudan also has a high level of gender inequality. Only 12.8 percent of adult women reach a secondary or higher level of education. The country allows teen marriage and enforces strict separation of females from males. Discrimination and violence against women often occur.

IMPACTS OF COLONIALISMToday, most countries are independent or mainly independent. This was not always the case. At one time, most countries were colonies, regions ruled by major world powers. For example, Russia ruled Alaska until 1867, when it was sold to the United States. Portugal ruled Macau until 1999, when Macau was returned to China.

Most colonial powers, countries that control colonies, sought to conquer more lands to gain more power and control. They sought lands that could provide them with goods and resources to serve their own interests, not those of their colonies. Lands and resources were taken and people were exploited or killed. This led to very low quality of life in the colonies.

After World War II, the period of colonialism began to end. The colonial powers had healthy economies with major industries. Figure 7.18 shows major European colonial powers and their colonies in Africa and Asia in 1945. Between 1945 and 1960, 36 new countries in Africa and Asia achieved partial or full independence from their European colonial rulers.

The transition from colony to independent country was often difficult and sometimes violent. Many former colonies were left with weak economies and social and political problems. For example, in 1962, Algeria won independence from France. However, when the French left, Algeria’s economy suffered. This was partly because few Algerians had received technical or management training. Some former colonies have made a peaceful transition to independence. Canada, which was a British colony, is one example of a peaceful transition.

colony a country, territory, or region that is controlled by another country

colonial power a country that controls one or more colonies

Why are some former colonies at

a different economic stage than their old

colonial powers?

Major European Colonial Powers and Their Colonies in 1945

FIGURE 7.18 This map shows major European colonial powers and their colonies in Africa and Asia in 1945. Many independent countries in 1945 were former colonies; for example, Afghanistan and Syria. They had achieved independence much earlier.

FIGURE 7.19 Sylvia McAdam speaking at a Canadian Union of Public Employees convention

An advocate is someone who acts publicly in

support of a person or cause. An advocate may

meet with politicians, speak publicly, write reports,

or help individual citizens.

Sylvia McAdam (Figure 7.19) is a lecturer, author,

law school graduate, and human rights advocate

from the Cree nation. She works at the University

of Saskatchewan teaching Aboriginal culture and

history, with the goal of ending discrimination.

As a law student, she felt outraged when she

learned about new Canadian laws that would

allow oil sands mining to expand. This expansion

was happening on land that was supposed to be

protected by treaties between First Nations peoples

and the government. McAdam discovered the

word acquiescence. It means that if you are silent

in relation to a new law, your silence is taken as

approval of the law.

In response, McAdam co-founded a movement

with three others called Idle No More. The word idle

means “do nothing,” and the goal of the movement

is to protect Aboriginal communities and the

environment. The four founders speak publicly,

organize protests to fight unfair laws, and use social

media to spread news. The movement continues

to grow and is supported by many Aboriginal and

non-Aboriginal people. McAdam says, “History has

shown that movements like Idle No More have the

power to change and stop governments … and the

power to change laws.”

INDIAN

OCEAN

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BELGIUMNETHERLANDS

PORTUGAL SPAIN

UNITEDKINGDOM

ASIA

AFRICA

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1250 km0

Belgium

France

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

United Kingdom

Colonial Powers

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATEGEOGRAPHY AT WORK

216 UNIT 2: Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life CHAPTER 7: Challenges to Improving Quality of Life 217NEL NEL

1. PATTERNS AND TRENDS Analyze the European

colonial powers map (Figure 7.18). In your analysis,

• identify patterns in the map

• suggest consequences of the patterns

2. GEOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE Suppose that you belong

to an anti-corruption group in a country where

there is widespread corruption. Your group is

to deliver a speech to the UN about fighting

corruption. Write a speech listing actions that

could be taken to reduce corruption. For each

action, describe what you hope it will accomplish.

3. INTERPRET AND ANALYZE Explain how a large

foreign debt prevents improvements in quality of

life in developing countries. Show your ideas in a

flow chart.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS Create a Causes and Effects

organizer that shows how a country’s colonial

history, government corruption, and foreign debt

are connected to quality of life.

CHECK-IN

By 2010, Greece owed so much money that it could not keep up with its foreign debt payments. Greece is a European Union (EU) country, so the EU decided to help Greece, which in turn helps the EU economy. The EU promised to eliminate half of Greece’s debts (US$333 billion) if Greece cut government spending. This involved reducing government jobs, salaries, and services, and raising the retirement age. The plan sparked massive, and sometimes violent, public protests (Figure 7.21). The Greek people felt these changes would negatively impact their quality of life. In 2014, more than 1 million Greek citizens lost their healthcare coverage. This lack of access to healthcare led to higher rates of infant mortality and illness.

FOREIGN DEBTWhen governments do not have enough money to operate, they borrow money from other countries. The money that one country owes to another country is called foreign debt.

In 2013, developing countries owed more than US$7 trillion in foreign debt. More developed countries also have foreign debt. In 2014, the debt of the United States government was nearly US$18 trillion. The United States has such a large economy that it can continuously work at paying back its debts. Developing countries may not have the wealth to pay back their debts. Some of the reasons why developing countries have large debts include• recovery from major natural disasters• corrupt government spending• costs of war or post-war rebuilding• high interest rates (a charge made for borrowing money) on loans

Figure 7.20 shows how the debt of developing countries has been increasing over time.

THE EFFECTS OF FOREIGN DEBT ON QUALITY OF LIFEWhen a country cannot pay its debt, it has to borrow even more money. The country may then have no money left to spend on developing its economy or improving quality of life.

For example, Pakistan borrows money just to make debt payments of US$6 billion a year. Since it must make these payments, Pakistan does not use its money to reduce poverty. In an effort to raise funds, the government raised taxes. However, now even the poorest people have to pay 7 percent more in taxes every year. This increase in taxes for the poor continues their cycle of poverty.

In some countries, citizens indirectly contribute to foreign debt. For example, in recent decades, Greece was increasing its foreign debt. During this time, many people’s salaries were high, the retirement age was low, and government services were plentiful. Yet many people and businesses avoided paying taxes whenever they could. So the government had to keep borrowing more money to pay off its foreign debt.

foreign debt the money that a country owes to individuals, corporations, and governments in other countries

Year

Total Foreign Debt of Developing Countries,2004 to 2013

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

3000

4000

0

5000

6000

7000

8000

Deb

t (U

S$

bil

lio

ns)

FIGURE 7.20 The total debt owed by developing countries on foreign loans between 2004 and 2013

Does the trend shown in this graph seem sustainable? Why or why not?

FIGURE 7.21 This mass protest occurred in Athens, Greece, in 2011. It was just one of many that expressed the people’s anger at the government’s decisions on how to pay back foreign debt.

I wonder if it’s fair to cut government services to reduce foreign debt?

218 UNIT 2: Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life CHAPTER 7: Challenges to Improving Quality of Life 219NEL NEL