In England today there is a big social and economic gap between the North and the South. Statistics prove the existence of this North-South divide. England is a highly centralised country and has no regional governments. London is the financial, political and cultural centre. London’s influence is one important reason for the South East being the wealthiest region. The living standards are much better there than in the rest of the country. The decline of the heavy and textile industries after 1945 in the North, once England’s richest region, lead to high unemployment, low productivity and low investments there. This was one cause for the North-South divide we have these days.“Todaythe Northwest is characterised by high out-migration levels and a high proportion of its workforce is unskilled. Agriculture is less productive than in the South.”
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Basic definitions
- 3. Wealth
- 3.1. Income
- 3.2. Unemployment
- 3.2. House prices
- 4. Health
- 4.1. Life expectancy
- 4.2. Healthy life expectancy
- 4.3. Cancer
- 5. Other dividing factors
- 6. Future prospects
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the significant social and economic disparities between the North and South of England, often referred to as the North-South divide. It explores the historical and contemporary factors contributing to this divide, using economic indicators and statistical data to illustrate the extent of the imbalance.
- Regional economic disparities in England
- The core-periphery model as applied to England
- Indicators of wealth and well-being (income, unemployment, health)
- The impact of industrial decline on the North
- Geographic and economic factors contributing to inequality
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the existence of a significant socio-economic gap between the North and South of England. It highlights London's central role as a financial, political, and cultural hub, contributing to the South East's wealth. The chapter points to the post-1945 decline of heavy and textile industries in the North as a major factor in creating the current imbalance, resulting in high unemployment and low investment in the region. The introduction briefly mentions the limitations of a purely North-South dichotomy, hinting at complexities beyond a simple geographical divide.
2. Basic definitions: This chapter delves into the challenges of defining the geographical boundaries of the "North" and "South" in England. It acknowledges the limitations of simple geographical divisions, citing Cornwall as a relatively poor and underdeveloped region despite its southern location. To address these complexities, the chapter introduces the "core-periphery" model, which provides a more nuanced framework for understanding regional economic disparities. The core areas are characterized by growth, development, and urban/industrial concentration, while peripheral areas are characterized by marginal locations, poor job opportunities, and lower standards of living.
3. Wealth: This chapter presents data illustrating the economic disparity between different regions of England. Using GDP per capita as a key indicator, it demonstrates that the inner core (London and the South East) significantly outperforms the inner periphery (North East, North West, Yorkshire & Humber, South West) and that the outer core also fares considerably better than the peripheral regions. The data underscores the economic advantages of the core regions and the significant economic disadvantage of the periphery.
4. Health: Chapter 4 delves into health indicators to further illustrate the North-South divide. While specific details regarding life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and cancer rates are not provided in the preview, the chapter sets the stage to demonstrate that health disparities likely mirror the economic disparities outlined in previous chapters, providing further evidence of the deep-seated inequalities across regions. The chapter would likely show poorer health outcomes in the less economically developed areas, highlighting the correlation between economic status and overall health.
Keywords
North-South divide, regional inequality, economic disparities, core-periphery model, GDP per capita, income, unemployment, health, industrial decline, regional development, England.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the North-South Divide in England
What is the main topic of this document?
This document analyzes the significant social and economic disparities between the North and South of England, often referred to as the North-South divide. It explores the historical and contemporary factors contributing to this divide, using economic indicators and statistical data.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
Key themes include regional economic disparities in England, the application of the core-periphery model to England, indicators of wealth and well-being (income, unemployment, health), the impact of industrial decline on the North, and geographic and economic factors contributing to inequality.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured into chapters: an introduction establishing the North-South divide; a chapter defining the geographical boundaries and introducing the core-periphery model; a chapter on wealth, including income, unemployment, and house prices; a chapter on health, including life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and cancer rates; a chapter on other dividing factors; and a concluding chapter on future prospects. It also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does the document define the "North" and "South"?
The document acknowledges the challenges of defining the geographical boundaries of the "North" and "South," recognizing that simple geographical divisions are limiting. It introduces the "core-periphery" model as a more nuanced framework to understand regional economic disparities, acknowledging that even southern regions like Cornwall can experience economic disadvantages.
What economic indicators are used to illustrate the North-South divide?
Key economic indicators used include GDP per capita, income, unemployment, and house prices. The document demonstrates that the inner core (London and the South East) significantly outperforms other regions, highlighting the economic advantages of the core regions and the significant economic disadvantage of the periphery.
What role does health play in the analysis of the North-South divide?
The document uses health indicators such as life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and cancer rates to further illustrate the North-South divide. It suggests a correlation between economic status and overall health, with poorer health outcomes expected in less economically developed areas.
What is the core-periphery model, and how is it applied in this document?
The core-periphery model is a framework used to understand regional economic disparities. Core areas are characterized by growth, development, and urban/industrial concentration, while peripheral areas are characterized by marginal locations, poor job opportunities, and lower standards of living. This model provides a more nuanced understanding of the North-South divide than a simple geographical division.
What is the historical context mentioned in the document?
The document points to the post-1945 decline of heavy and textile industries in the North as a major factor in creating the current economic imbalance, resulting in high unemployment and low investment in the region.
What are the limitations acknowledged in the document?
The document acknowledges the limitations of a purely North-South dichotomy, hinting at complexities beyond a simple geographical divide. It also highlights the limitations of using simple geographical divisions to define the North and South.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include: North-South divide, regional inequality, economic disparities, core-periphery model, GDP per capita, income, unemployment, health, industrial decline, regional development, England.
- Quote paper
- Marco Kerlein (Author), 2005, The North-South Divide in England, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54272
