Read the information in Fig. 1. The government of Bhutan uses Gross National Happiness alongside economic figures when judging national progress. A class is...
Question 1 Report
Read the information in Fig. 1. The government of Bhutan uses Gross National Happiness alongside economic figures when judging national progress. A class is preparing a case study for the resource booklet and has drawn a concept diagram from interviews with residents. The diagram shows that development can include non-material aspects of life, such as community strength and cultural identity, as well as income. This approach may produce a different judgement from a ranking based only on GDP per capita.
(a) Identify the country referred to in the Fig. 1 case study. [1]
(b) Name two non-economic aspects of development shown in Fig. 1. [2]
(c) Describe what is meant by GDP per capita. [3]
(d) Explain how strong community life could improve the welfare of individuals. [4]
(e) State three reasons why people in different countries may define development differently. [6]
(f) Describe two difficulties of measuring culture or happiness for use in an international development comparison. [4]
(g) Explain why GDP per capita and an index such as HDI can still be useful alongside the wider ideas in Fig. 1. [5]
Answer Details
(a) The country is Bhutan. [1]
(b) Non-economic aspects shown include a healthy life, the environment, culture and identity, and community life. Any two. [2]
(c) GDP per capita is the total value of goods and services produced in a country, divided by its population. It is usually calculated for one year, giving an average output or income per person. [3]
(d) Strong community life can provide support during illness, unemployment or emergencies. Shared activities can reduce isolation and increase wellbeing and security. [4]
(e) Development can be defined differently because cultures value traditions differently; needs can vary by age or gender; poorer populations may prioritise food, water and shelter; people with different incomes have different priorities; and environmental quality may be valued differently. Any three reasons. [6]
(f) Happiness is subjective, so people can interpret the same survey question differently. Culture is difficult to convert into one numerical value. Responses can also be affected by fear, expectations or the survey method. Any two difficulties. [4]
(g) GDP per capita provides a comparable economic measure. HDI combines income with health and education, and standard indicators allow countries and changes over time to be compared. These measures can complement wider evidence about wellbeing rather than replace it. [5]
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