Country Development In Depth
India is the most populous country in the world and one of the fastest-growing economies. Follow its development story: booming cities, a rush of TNC investment, and a rural periphery left behind.
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A giant on the rise
India is the most populous country in the world, and one of the fastest-growing economies. In a few decades it has moved from a mostly farming nation toward a hub of factories, IT and global business. But the benefits of this growth are spread unevenly. This module follows the development story of India.
Core and periphery words
Four ideas shape this case study:
How to describe India?
Which phrase best describes India today?
- An emerging economy growing quickly
- One of the poorest, least developed countries
- A country with no economic growth
- One of the richest developed countries
Match the sector
- Primary sector
- Secondary sector
- Tertiary sector
- Quaternary sector
- Farming and taking raw materials from the land
- Making goods in factories
- Services such as IT, banking and tourism
- Research and high-technology knowledge work
Two Indias
Development in India is very uneven, split between a rich core and a poorer periphery.
Why TNCs help
Which THREE are advantages of TNC investment for India?
- It creates jobs for local people
- It builds infrastructure like roads and power
- It brings new skills and technology
- All of the profit stays in India
- It never causes any pollution
Match the idea
- Core
- Periphery
- Profit repatriation
- Urbanisation
- The wealthy, fast-developing region
- The poorer region that is left behind
- When a TNC sends its profits back to its home country
- The growth of cities as people move in from the countryside
The double edge of growth
Rapid development has lifted millions out of poverty, created jobs, and made India a major global power. But the gains are uneven: a wide gap between rich and poor, crowded cities, pollution and water stress, and a rural periphery that has been left behind.
The growth story
Put the stages of the development of India in a sensible order.
- Most people work in farming
- Manufacturing in factories grows
- IT and services boom in cities like Bengaluru
- A large middle class starts to spend more
- India becomes a major global economy
Complete the idea
India is an _____ economy, growing quickly toward the level of richer nations. Its wealthy _____ regions, such as the big cities, race ahead while a poorer _____ is left behind. Large companies called _____ bring jobs and technology, but often send their profits back home. Much of the newest growth is in the _____ sector, providing services like IT.
True or not?
Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE about the development of India.
- India has grown from a mainly farming economy toward services and industry.
- TNC investment can bring jobs but also send profits abroad.
- Development in India is completely equal across the whole country.
- India is one of the least developed countries in the world.
- Rapid growth has caused no pollution or inequality at all.
Jobs from a TNC
Imagine a TNC opens 4 new factories in India, and each factory employs 300 workers. How many jobs does that create in total? Multiply the number of factories by the workers in each.
Weigh it up
Use the case of India to make a judgement in each situation.
- A TNC wants to build a factory in a rural area of India. What is one clear benefit for local people?
- Critics worry the TNC will send most of its profit abroad. What is this problem called?
- The government wants growth to reach the poorer periphery, not just the cities. What should it invest in there?
Judge the TNCs
TNCs have invested heavily in India. Evaluate whether TNC investment has been good for the development of India.
- Give one advantage of TNC investment for India
- Give one disadvantage TNC investment can bring
- Use an idea such as jobs, infrastructure or profit repatriation
- Reach an overall judgement