Changing geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging country — Edexcel GCSE Geography A
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Changing geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging country explained
Changing geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging country covers 2 specification points, including Foreign policy, defence, military pacts,… and B.
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How technology and connectivity support…. Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
a. How geopolitical relationships with other countries affect the chosen country’s development: foreign policy, defence, military pacts, territorial disputes.
This statement asks how a country's relationships with other states shape its development. It names four areas: foreign policy, defence, military pacts and territorial disputes. Foreign policy sets the framework, so trade deals and aid can attract investment, while sanctions or diplomatic isolation can restrict it. Defence spending draws on public money, so a country facing military threat may fund its armed forces rather than schools or health care. Military pacts can bring protection, training and technical support, but they may also commit a country to outside obligations. Territorial disputes can deter investors, disrupt trade routes and divert government attention. Choose one relationship, explain the mechanism, then link it to a development indicator in your chosen country, such as investment, public spending or infrastructure.
b. How technology and connectivity support development in different parts of the chosen country and for different groups of people.
This statement asks how technology and connectivity support development, and how that support differs across parts of the chosen country and between groups of people. Connectivity includes mobile networks, broadband and transport links. Access can raise incomes by linking farmers and small firms to markets, allow online banking and digital services, and attract investment. The benefits are often uneven. Urban areas and wealthier households may gain first, while rural communities, older people and those without devices or digital skills may remain excluded. Choose a specific technology, name the place or group it helps, explain the mechanism, and then judge whether the gap between regions or groups is narrowing or widening in the chosen country.
Your focus
- Explain how a foreign policy relationship can change investment or trade in the chosen country.
- Explain how defence spending or a military pact can change public spending priorities in the chosen country.
- Assess how a territorial dispute may constrain development in the chosen country, using a specific example.
Show all 6 objectives
- Explain how a named technology supports a development outcome in a specific part of the chosen country.
- Describe which groups of people in the chosen country are advantaged or excluded by connectivity, and why.
- Evaluate whether technology is reducing or widening development gaps in the chosen country, using a specific example.
Changing geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging country exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies a specific relationship, such as a named trade agreement, alliance or dispute, rather than a general reference to international relations.
- Explains the mechanism by which the relationship changes a development factor, such as investment, public spending or trade access.
- Links the effect to the chosen country's own circumstances rather than describing countries in general.
- Distinguishes between positive and negative effects of the same relationship, or explains why its outcomes are mixed.
- Uses a development indicator or a specific example from the chosen country to support the judgement.
- Names a specific technology or form of connectivity, such as mobile money or broadband, and states what it is used for.
- Explains how the technology improves a development outcome, such as income, access to health services or education.
- Identifies a specific part of the chosen country that gains from the technology and explains why.
- Identifies a specific group of people who gain or are excluded, and gives a reason such as cost, skills or location.
- Evaluates whether the benefits are spreading across the country or widening existing inequalities.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Plan a chain before writing: relationship, then mechanism, then development outcome.
- 💡Name the chosen country and give at least one specific example for each point you make.
- 💡Check that each point is about development, such as living standards, infrastructure or investment, rather than only political events.
- 💡Plan one technology, one place or group, and one development outcome before you write.
- 💡Use specific examples from the chosen country for each point rather than general statements.
- 💡End with a judgement about whether the benefits are reducing or increasing inequality, supported by evidence.
Common Mistakes
- Lists foreign policy or defence as headings without showing how they affect investment, trade or public services; explain the link to a development outcome.
- Treats defence spending as always harmful to development; explain the trade-off between security and social spending in the chosen country's case.
- Writes about the history of another country's relationship rather than its effect on the chosen country's development; keep the focus on the chosen country.
- Assumes a military pact automatically improves development; explain both the protection or support it brings and any obligations it creates.
- Describes technology in general terms, such as saying it is good for development, without naming a form or function; name the technology and its use.
- Treats connectivity as equally available across the country; identify which places have weaker coverage and explain why.
- Assumes all people benefit equally; identify groups who face barriers and explain those barriers.
- Writes about technology in other countries rather than the chosen country; keep the answer focused on the chosen country.