CONTENT STATEMENT
21. The distribution of wealth and economic power among countries changes over time.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The distribution of wealth and economic power shifts as a result of political and social changes, and developments in technology or productive resources.
Gradual or rapid changes in the distribution of wealth and economic power may result from:
- political changes (e.g., trade alliances, new leaders);
- social changes (e.g., improvements in access to education);
- development of new technologies (e.g., agriculture and manufacturing advances); and
- development of productive resources (e.g., discovery of new mineral reserves).
As the distribution of wealth and economic power shifts among countries, patterns of conflict and cooperation can change.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Analyze the causes and effects of changes to the distribution of wealth and economic power among countries.