Developing Economy (i) Name one developing economy you have studied - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2012

Colonialism had profound effects on India's developing economy. The following points outline these effects:

1. Resource Exploitation: Colonial powers extracted vast amounts of natural resources from India, leading to significant depletion of local raw materials while leaving the economy dependent on imports for manufactured goods.

2. Economic Displacement: Traditional industries such as textiles were severely undermined by British manufactured goods, displacing local artisans and contributing to unemployment and poverty.

3. Infrastructure Development: While colonialism led to the development of some infrastructure, such as railways, these were primarily constructed to facilitate the extraction of resources rather than to benefit the local populace.

4. Land Reforms and Agricultural Impact: Colonial land policies displaced many farmers, leading to changes in land ownership and agricultural practices that prioritized export-oriented cash crops over subsistence farming.

5. Social Stratification: The introduction of Western education and administrative systems created new social hierarchies, often exacerbating existing inequalities within society.

6. Economic Policies: Policies were designed to favor British economic interests, often at the expense of local economies, leading to long-term structural imbalances.

7. Debt and Financial Dependency: Colonial rule entrenched systems of debt among farmers, making them vulnerable to exploitation by moneylenders and contributing to cycles of poverty.

8. Cultural Impact: The imposition of Western values and systems disrupted traditional ways of life, leading to cultural dislocation and identity crises among the local population.