Introduction
Over the years, there has been a surge of variety of factors resulting in the rise or decline of communities and countries. The growth or decline of a nation or society closely affiliated with its demographic. Studies and philosophers have done a deep dive into the factors impacting the success or failure of a nation or community. There are several aspects, such as natural resources, geographic location, culture, and historical knowledge. For instance, financial challenges, differences in innovation strategies, legal frameworks, level of education, gender and progress, food sources, infrastructure, legal policies, and investments in future innovations. Measures of income are merely one aspect of poverty. There are other key indicators as well, such as those relating to infant and child mortality, illiteracy, infectious disease, hunger, and education. Several nations have achieved outstanding progress in eradicating poverty. While some have seen overall growth, others have made extremely considerable progress in one dimension but regressed in others.
African Americans
For centuries, African Americans have experienced challenges that substantially impact the society’s success or failure. Although African-Americans have lived in the USA for many centuries, they still face racial segregation. For instance, they have stereotypical terms that are offensive and hinder their development. During the early centuries, African Americans were subjected to slavery resulting in increased suicides, diseases, and deaths. According to Britannica, the surge in slavery during the early centuries has greatly impacted the development of the society. Black slaves contributed significantly to building the economic underpinnings of the United States, particularly in the South, despite their unwillingness and general lack of compensation. Blacks also contributed significantly to the creation of Southern dialect, folklore, music, dancing, and cuisine by fusing European and African cultural elements. African and African American (those born in the New World) slaves primarily labored on the Southern seaboard’s tobacco, rice, and indigo plantations during the 17th and 18th centuries. Large cotton and sugar plantations in the South eventually gave rise to slavery. Slavery was never common in the North, despite the fact that Northern businesses generated enormous sums of money from the trade of slaves and from investments in Southern plantations.
Legal Frameworks and Policies
Studies illustrate that most societies are influenced by enforced government regulations. The legal system indicates the type of affiliation between the societies and the government. The systems are put in place by governments to manage, implement, and enforce policies. This impacts the development of the society since it ensures equitable distribution of resources within various societies. However, African Americans were subjected to slave codes impacting their economic development leading to stagnant progression (Goldin, 2019). The slave system was governed by laws emphasizing the master’s entire dominance. These regulations illustrate that a slave was considered chattel, or property and labor that could be purchased and sold like an animal. The slave was not permitted to have a stable household or much privacy. The legislation forbade slaves from receiving an education in reading or writing. The master showed favoritism to the meek slave and meted out harsh punishment to the disobedient slave. They were kept apart by a social structure among the plantation slaves (Lynch, 2023). This demonstrates that the African-American community has been hindered by prior rules and regulations limiting their success.
Poverty& Inequality
This aspect indicates an individual’s financial capability. It enables easy transformation between jobs, residence, and reactions during agile situations. Financial aspects greatly impact a community’s success or failure. This is because it acts as a tool to finance education, stability, healthcare, and pay regular bills. Although various government officials have tried to promote and contribute to the equal distribution of resources between racial segments. There is an unequal distribution of finances and resources among racial segments. For example, white and black families register a large wealth disparity since the government does not equally share resources within the segments. Research suggests that African-Americans have less financial stability compared to their white counterparts because of unequal sharing of resources. This suggests that African Americans are more susceptible to failure since the unequal distribution of finances and resources results in a decline in education levels, healthcare, food sources, and many more. It is a challenge because African Americans experience hindrances to access of finances and resources that would otherwise lead to progress within their community. Furthermore, the community has been facing challenges since time immemorial, leading to accumulated poverty and inequality creating minimal opportunities to advance the community. Stagnant economic development contributes to downward or stagnant economic progress within the community (Hanks, 2018).
Gender
African-American women are expected to conform to certain cultural gender roles. They are highly impacted by sexual conditions compared to women of other races. Over the decades, the healthcare department has implemented policies contributing to healthy sexual and reproductive health for African-American women. However, they still experience and contract HIV and pregnancy affiliated infections. These infections stem from the unequal distribution of resources, poverty, low educational levels, legal policies, and unequal infrastructure; according to t to the Journal of Public Health, African American women make up 60% of the demographic infected with HIV and pregnancy-affiliated infections (Prather et al., 2016). Moreover, instances of racial segregation and discrimination substantially contribute to negative impacts on women’s sexual reproductive health. A study done on the sexual health of African-American women depict that gender and progress contribute to the rise or fall of the African American community. Their access to health is hindered by institutional racism increasing healthcare disparities and leading to a decline in the community since they only have access to low-level healthcare compared to other communities.
Hispanic-Americans
Over the centuries, there has been a surge in Latino demographics in the US. Most studies indicate that the community has greatly contributed to the demographics of the USA. They account for half of the American population. They are the second largest demographic after the whites, and they contributed to 18% of the labor population (Flores, 2017). There are various aspect that impacts the socioeconomic development of Latinos in the country. For instance, regulatory changes, education levels, and poverty and inequality.
Poverty & Inequality
Although the community contributes to half the population in the US, they are more susceptible to poverty and inequality. Studies depict that Hispanic-American families and children reside in poverty compared to their white counterparts. For instance, 23% of their children live in poverty, while 8.9% of whites live in poverty (Weis, 2021). Their socioeconomic development is hindered by the constant experience of poverty, making it hard to accomplish basic needs such as access to amenities, healthcare, education, housing, and nutrition. Furthermore, poverty and inequality substantially impact non-white neighborhoods promoting high crime rates and mortality rates. Poverty and their constant subjection to prejudice and inequality increases fatal physical and mental health issues. The community is more susceptible to acquiring catastrophic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and physical injuries. The neighborhoods and residence also contribute to increased crime rates and HIV and pregnancy related infections. This is because the community surrounding frequently experiences violence and low-quality residential areas negatively influencing their health. They also have poor schools, high rates of unemployment, social seclusions, and inadequate positive peer inspiration. The community is also secluded from financial charities and networks in work and schools resulting in poor mental development since they lack support systems. This aspect results in violence, death, substance abuse, incarceration, a high number of juvenile children, and death. Hispanic-American communities have less socioeconomic development compared to whites.
Legal Frameworks & Policies
These is important factors providing guidance, insights, formulations, and creating links for several segments. Hispanic Americans utilizes and formed the ECLA and economic doctrine to evaluate its industrilization policies within communities. The government enforced the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to inhibit undocumented immigrants from seeking some public services. The restrictions greatly influence the development of the community since individuals are scared to seek medical, educational, and other services for fear of deportation. The legal framework has generated stereotypical debates and hate. This framework inhibits public services to illegal immigrants. It can lead to death if an individual can not access healthcare services. It also hinders young undocumented hispanic american children from seeking educational services resulting in illiteracy. High levels of illiteracy within a community hinder its development since education is instrumental in providing knowledge, language proficiency, and social cohesion in school. The act also denies retirement, disability, and welfare services to unregistered immigrants. This impacts the community’s retirees and their welfare, leading to decreased life quality. The policy is ambiguous and enforces penalties detrimental to the development
Gender
Hispanic American women in the community experience inequality in the workplace. The diversity favors the patriarchal system compared to the women. The workplaces are not based on qualifications, but they are based on gender. Moreover, women in the community are given opportunities with poor conditions. They are subjected to violence, underpayment, sexual harassment, dangerous roles, and the negative impacts of teleworking. The women in the community have low motivation levels to work because they are not valued are in vulnerable positions that are detrimental to their health. Most of the women working are not given leadership positions but rather lower positions with less decision makingMoreover, the pandemic increased the inequality within the community, and they were not allowed trade movements. Gender equality within a community is essential for the socioeconomic development of a community. The gender gap and pay gap immensely influence success since it hinders the achievement of Goal 5 of the 2030 sustainable development declining the eradication of gender gaps. Inequality reduces labor participation and economic development. Studies indicate that 47 million women could succumb to extreme poverty in the absence of gender equality within working environments. This also reduces the economic resources they require when facing unexpected disastrous conditions pushing them to extreme poverty (Aliaga, 2021)
China
Studies indicate that China is among the global fastest-developing economy. The country has registered a constant increase in its growth. According to the World Bank, the development has paved the way for a sustainable economy through its progress to double its GDP. This indicates that approximately 800 million Chinese individuals were elevated from poverty. Studies illustrate that the country has been gradually growing at an average of 9.5% since 2018 (Report, 2019). The report has established that a country’s or communities growth or decline is greatly influenced by its level of education, poverty and inequality, infrastructure, financial health, and legal policies. Since 2018, China has been growing and expanding various economic investments to exploit the global markets.
Legal Frameworks & Policies
A nation’s legal frameworks and policies fundamentally influence its rise or failure. The aspect ensures equal and efficient distribution of resources and materials to the most profitable stakeholders. Effective legal policies contribute to the general participation of the citizens during economic development and a sustainable environment. Legal frameworks in a nation is essential since it provides and gathers information on effective strategies and recommendations advancing it’s growth. Moreover, it acts as a regulatory body governing the affiliations between the nation and its citizens. China’s growth goes back to the 1970s reforms leading to economic development in the current century. For instance, in 1970, China eradicated isolation political and economic policies limiting its foreign affiliations. This reform promoted foreign affiliations between China and the US in 1979. Similarly, in the 1970’s, the country implemented the privatization of agriculture and the open door policy, leading to increased profitability and foreign investments (Moiseeb et al., 2019). The privatization of the agricultural field led to increased private foreign investors from other countries. The county and its government officials have been gradually introducing policies supporting economic development. These legal frameworks and policies contributed to the rise of China’s economy by promoting foreign investments and trade. The increase in foreign investments and trade contributes to increased job opportunities leading to increased living standards compared to other countries that enforce legal frameworks limiting foreign affiliations. Currently, China’s President Deng Xiaoping has implemented and enforced legal frameworks and reforms promoting the development and success of the county.
Poverty & Inequality
According to the World Bank, China has registered fewer people under the global poverty line. The statistics indicate that there are averagely 800 million individuals who have improved from extreme poverty. The study illustrates that China makes up 75 % of the population. China’s statistics portray reduced poverty levels with approximately 775 million individuals elevated from extreme poverty. These statistics indicate that China is not experiencing extreme poverty and inequality. Moreover, with global or national contrast, China depicts decreased poverty levels within the last four decades. The nation has been progressing and reducing poverty by eradicating inequality within the country. It has introduced policies reducing inequality, such as increasing the minimum wage of taxes for incomes, eradicating agricultural taxes, improving infrastructure, and introducing social protection.The study depicts that the nation focused on addressing consistent unequal distribution of resources, income, and economic prospects and limiting consequences of susceptible economic transformation. This demonstrates that the nation’s reduction of poverty levels and inequality contributed to a rise in its economic development. The reduction of poverty and inequality facilitates increased income which in turn, in turn increases education levels, healthcare, various development prospects, and gender progress. Moreover, individuals experiencing extreme poverty get an opportunity to gain government support without facing insufficient resources (Bank, 2022).
Different Development Strategies
China is popular globally for its investments and support of innovative strategies promoting economic and political developments. During the Chinese celebration of its 70th anniversary, it identified several development strategies that have facilitated its ample success from a poor country to an average-level county. Most researchers indicate the orthodox of Chinese development strategies differing from that of other countries (Raiser, 2019). Before the introduction of the strategy, China had been experiencing adverse changes due to demographics, innovations, climate, urbanization, and inequality. The nation introduced the structural strategy to counteract the negative impacts of the transformations and gain insights that will help achieve their goals. For example, China uses the 13th five-year plan for economic and social development within the country. Their strategy focused on completing average successful prospects beneficial to the entire nation. It set goals to implement strategies of the CPC to attain precise comprehension of essential changes within national and global surroundings. The identification and comprehension of strategies within its markets promoted the formulation of insights that will aid in easily adapting to various changes within its development. This promotes successful achievement of various goals. The strategy sets the county’s goals, identifies crucial objectives, activities, and prospects that will act as a guidance tool for the government. It will help the government and officials in performing their duties towards a common vision (Stiglie, 2016). According to a study done at Columbia University, the strategy has greatly facilitated its growth toward achieving its goal of being a social market. Moreover, it highlights challenges from prior strategies and recommends appropriate prospects for efficient future plans.
Gender
Gender equality and development is a complex issue facing most countries. China has been promoting Gender equality and development, adhering to its constitution that fixates on equality between the two genders. Although it has been difficult to achieve gender progression among other countries, Over the years, China has been implementing and reforming policies toward gender equality. In 2003, Beijing hosted a UN Conference on Women, which was published during its anniversary. Their publication of the UN Conference talks held in Beijing in 2003 addresses and offers a detailed understanding of the country’s regulation on gender equality. It also analyzes measures that have been implemented over the years. According to China, Chinese women contribute to 1/5 of global demographics entailing conventional contribution to gender development and equity. The nation has strategies focused on promoting women’s development. For instance, The Institutional Foundation for Gender Equality and Women’s Development, which promotes women’s status. The foundation ensures that the government has allocated resources to improve the status of women. Moreover, the NWCCW, which was established in 1990, focuses on organizing departments entailing promotion services for leadership (Embassy, 2023). It also offers charity programs for financially challenged women, which reduces poverty and increases their income. The country uses and allocates resources for women’s development and working measures improving gender statistics. The gender statistics depict that women have registered better health. educational, and equality. These systems also monitor and analyze women’s well-being contributing to equal involvement of women in economic activities. The involvement of women in economic activities promotes the alleviation of poverty among women. The study dictates that China considers gender and progress, which promotes the rise of the nation and reduces poverty among women. When women have efficient income, they can easily access healthcare and reduce HIV and pregnancy affiliated infections.
India
India is considered one of the world’s growing economies. Nevertheless, India registered a drop in the GDP in 2023 from 6.6% to 6% (Times, 2023). According to the Economic Times, India’s GDP drop stem from poverty and inequality, high rates of unemployment, gender inequality, poor development strategies, and legal frameworks.
Poverty & Inequality
According to the International Monetary Fund, there are high levels of extreme poverty and inequality within the nation. Although India is considered one of the fastest-growing economies, there are high levels of inequality. They have a massive wealth gap between the rich and the extremely poor. The huge rates of inequality impact the growth of the country since the rich continue gaining resources while the poor fall back into more poverty (Bhaila, 2022). This is a major impact on the fall of a nation since it promotes the transmission of unequal economic and social prospects. Studies indicate that poverty and inequality contribute to disasters. This is because the poor are more susceptible to disasters since they have inadequate access to healthcare, education, insurance, and protection. They can not afford measures to counteract the catastrophes, and they are driven to utilize their minimum resources, leading them to extreme poverty. In India, the high rates of poverty and inequality result in unemployment and wide income gaps. Studies illustrate that there are huge wealth gaps between the rich and poor. This substantially influences financial stability and growth. Moreover, it contributes to less foreign investment, concentrated political and decision-making, and increases risks during disasters (Norris et al., 2015). All the aspects mentioned result in a surge in the informal economy and a decline in capital accumulation leading to excess employment opportunities for inadequate professionals.
Legal Frameworks & Policies
A nation’s legal framework is an essential aspect of every country since it substantially impacts its development. According to the Legal Service India, the nation depicts an inadequate legal framework that has been negatively impacting its rise. For instance, its legal framework enforces rigid trade regulations, has many pending cases, and does not grant the judiciary the power to evaluate its impacts on economic development. Moreover, the judicial system has slow procedures impacting its output and employment in the industry. This legal system leads to a fall in its development since the legal system can not adequately interpret policies. The policies have rigid trade restrictions intended to protect domestic markets, hindering foreign investors and markets. Correspondingly, after COVID-19, their legal system enforced policies that led to a massive economic shutdown, and approximately 10 million people lost their jobs. Moreover, approximately 400 million individuals were vulnerable to poverty after the pandemic (Sinha, 2020). A county’s legal framework is important to its development since it is instrumental in supporting sustainable development and mitigating disputes. The regulations offer justifiable principles important in creating stable environments befitting growth.
Difference Developmental Strategies
Developmental strategies are fundamental to a nation’s management and allocation of resources. They include education, knowledge, and labor advancements. These strategies ensure that a nation identifies, researches, and evaluates various prospects to select the most beneficial prospect. It enables a country to recognize and exploit available and emerging resources. It also helps in providing insights to identify efficient plans (Hanushek, 2020). India utilized the import substitution strategy for its trade policies. Import substitution refers to economic policies that substitute foreign imports with domestic productions. This is not an efficient strategy compared to other trade policies, such as tariff transference. This strategy did not work efficiently in India since there has been a lot of constant changes in the industry, access to supply chains, and the presence of WTO. Although the nation set up the strategy to protect its domestic market from foreign players, it closes off its markets by learning other strategies from the foreign markets. Moreover, this led to the failure to gain revenue to pay for goods acquired from foreign markets. For instance, in 2015 and 2016, the nation registered a decline in its exports due to the introduction of import substitution (Panagariya, 2017). Studies indicate that important substitution is a tried and failed policy that creates inefficient economic developments that do not acquire or have the basis to adequately compete with foreign markets.
Gender
Gender equality is closely affiliated with economic development and financial stability. This can promote private and public organizational performance and reduce income inequality. Research denotes that high levels of gender equality within a nation contribute to increased economic growth by providing better strategies for resource allocation. Concurring to the International Labour Organization, there are high levels of gender pay gaps in India. During the COVID pandemic, women’s pay was reduced compared to their male counterparts. Although India has been constantly introducing policies to mitigate gender inequality and promote progress, the pandemic facilitated pay gaps. For instance, women earn 48% less compared to men; by 2018, they earned 28% less, but the pandemic led to a pay gap increase of 7%. The gender pay gap in India relates to discrimination and undervaluation of women. Moreover, there is also a pay gap between mother’s and non-mother’s wages. This results in unequal prospects for women in the healthcare, education, and others resulting in women’s poor development. Gender inequality and lack of progress in its development impact a country’s GDP. The promotion of gender equality contributes to greater economic development within a country since it promotes and supports opportunities, resources, and choices for both genders.
Recommendations
The presence of poverty and equality among nations and communities is a complex issue that needs to be addressed to promote socio-economic development. Poverty is a socio-economic issue prevalent in most developing and third-world countries; This is because poverty and inequality impact a country’s development. They are portrayed by inadequate access to healthcare, education, shelter, food, education, and high death rates. The countries can introduce strategies focusing on increasing income, introducing policy reforms, expanding employment options, adequate allocation and management of resources, and prioritizing the needs of the poor. The countries can introduce strategies such as
- Inspiring, comprehensive economic growth for the poor, allowing them to use the materials to increase their incomes- providing agricultural products and credit programs
- Investing in Technological advancements and efficient management
- Investing in developing infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, and water systems
- Offering power to impoverished individuals
- Introducing institutional and economic reforms creating conditions attracting foreign investors.
Gender and its progress is a vital aspect of promoting socio-economic development.
- Introducing policy reforms campaigning for women’s development
- Increasing women’s representation in leadership positions
- Promoting foundations addressing equal pay for both genders reducing pay gaps
- Introducing supporting programs empowering women
Development strategies are effective for a country’s political development. Most times, a nation’s legal system fails to implement subjective policies necessary for sustainable development. Countries should implement policies that empower and support development. Most legal frameworks have enforced inflexible regulations hindering its success.
- Introducing trade liberisations
- Encouraging the implementation of FDI
- Introducing promotion and marketing strategies for exports
- Regulation of government subsidies
- Introducing floating exchange rate systems and microfinance schemes
References
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