Question 1

Income inequality between countries has declined slightly, due almost entirely to the rapid economic growth in

Accepted Answer

The rapid economic growth in China and India has led to a decline in income inequality between countries overall. The other options do not have as significant an impact on global income inequality.

Question 2

The movement of jobs from the industrialized world to the Third World is one aspect of

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

Neoliberalism is an economic approach that emphasizes the benefits of

Accepted Answer

Neoliberalism emphasizes the benefits of free markets and free trade, which means minimal government intervention in the economy and the promotion of economic growth through competition and globalization. It does not necessarily advocate for free healthcare, universal free education, or free democratic elections.

Question 4

Large amounts of the world's lightweight consumer goods are made in a string of cities along

Accepted Answer

The string of cities that produce large amounts of lightweight consumer goods is located along China's Pearl River. This area is commonly referred to as the Pearl River Delta or PRD.

Question 5

In Mexico, much of the growth in industrial production has been in

Accepted Answer

Mexico has seen significant growth in its export processing zones, which are designated areas that offer incentives to foreign companies to invest in manufacturing and production. These zones often specialize in the production of electronics, textiles, and automotive parts. While agriculture and mining also play important roles in the Mexican economy, they have not seen as much growth in recent years as the export processing sector. Military weapons production is not a significant factor in Mexico's industrial production.

Question 6

Jobs most recently outsourced to India have included

Accepted Answer

Engineering, radiology, and technical support are jobs that require specialized skills and knowledge, which can be found in the highly educated workforce in India. The other choices are not commonly outsourced to India.

Question 7

In their search for cheap labor for assembly work, multinational corporations have tended to hire

Accepted Answer

Multinational corporations have often looked for cheap labor in developing countries where there is a high population of young women who could be hired for low wages. These women are often seen as disposable and easy to exploit, and as a result, they are subjected to poor working conditions, low pay, and long hours.

Question 8

World systems and dependency theorists have maintained that a major reason poor nations stay poor is

Accepted Answer

World systems and dependency theorists argue that neocolonialism, in which wealthy and powerful nations continue to exploit and manipulate poorer nations through economic and political means, is a major reason why poor nations stay poor. This theory suggests that without breaking free from these exploitative relationships, developing nations will continue to struggle to achieve economic growth and stability.

Question 9

Modernization theorists maintained that the people of developing nations needed

Accepted Answer

Modernization theorists believed that developing nations needed to adopt a Western-style achievement orientation in order to modernize and improve their economies. This involved valuing hard work, education, and innovation as key factors for success. Social consciousness, revolutionary ideology, and ethnic pride were not emphasized in the modernization approach.

Question 10

Structural adjustment programs sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) often call on troubled countries to:

Accepted Answer

Structural adjustment programs sponsored by the IMF often call for reducing government spending and inflation in order to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment. This often involves cutting public services and social welfare programs, which can have negative impacts on the poorest members of society.

Question 11

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, immigrants and guest workers to the United States often came as

Accepted Answer

Industrial and railroad laborers were in high demand during this time period. Many immigrants and guest workers came to the United States specifically for these types of jobs, which offered higher wages than what they could earn in their home countries. Other options such as nurses, physicians, small businesspeople, and childcare workers were not as prevalent among immigrant and guest worker populations during this time period.

Question 12

World systems theory sees the world economic system as divided into

Accepted Answer

World systems theory sees the world economic system as divided into a core, semiperiphery, and periphery. The core countries are the developed and industrialized countries, while the periphery countries are the least developed and have the most limited economies. The semiperiphery countries are in between, with some level of industrialization but still dependent on the core countries. This theory critiques the traditional North-South divide or the division between developed and developing countries, arguing that the global economic system perpetuates inequality and exploitation.

Question 13

The fastest-growing industrial type in Mexico is

Accepted Answer

Maquiladora assembly, also known as the maquila industry, is a manufacturing operation where companies import materials and equipment into Mexico to be assembled by Mexican laborers and then exported back out. This industry has grown rapidly in Mexico due to its lower labor costs and favorable trade agreements, making it the fastest-growing industrial type in the country.

Question 14

The most unequal advanced industrial country in the world is

Accepted Answer

According to various measures of income inequality, including the Gini coefficient, the United States consistently ranks as one of the most unequal advanced industrial countries in the world.

Question 15

Global export markets led to the rapid economic growth of

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan are known as the "Four Asian Tigers" and experienced rapid economic growth during the 20th century due to their export-oriented industrialization policies, leading to their development into high-income economies.

Question 16

According to dependency theorists, for developing nations, multinational corporations are a major source of

Accepted Answer

Dependency theorists argue that multinational corporations tend to extract resources and profits from developing nations while offering little benefit in return. This can result in distorted economies and exploitation of workers and resources. While multinational corporations may bring some modern technology and create jobs, the negative impacts of their presence are seen as outweighing these potential benefits.

Question 17

Dependency theorists contend that poor nations suffer from

Accepted Answer

Dependency theorists argue that poor nations suffer from economic distortions, which are caused by the unequal relationships between richer and poorer countries. They believe that richer countries benefit from the economic activities of poorer countries, and that this dependency perpetuates underdevelopment in these countries. Importantly, dependency theorists believe that these economic distortions are perpetuated by the global capitalist system, which is dominated by the interests of the richer countries. Therefore, the lack of Western technology is not a primary cause of the economic backwardness of poor nations, nor is isolation from the world economy.

Question 18

Athletic shoes are now often made in

Accepted Answer

Athletic shoes are largely produced in export processing zones in Asia, particularly in countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. This is where major shoe companies like Nike and Adidas have their factories located. While some shoes may also be produced in other regions, the majority are made in these Asian manufacturing hubs.

Question 19

One problem with free-market economies is

Accepted Answer

Free-market economies tend to produce great inequalities because they reward those who are successful and penalize those who are not. This can result in a concentration of wealth among a small group of individuals and lead to income inequality.

Question 20

In Europe, the United States, and parts of East Asia, guest workers, legal and illegal, are now sought for

Accepted Answer

Guest workers in Europe, the United States, and parts of East Asia are often sought for childcare and household work due to labor shortages in these areas and the demand for affordable domestic help.

Quiz 3: The Global Divide: Inequality Across Societies