Abstract
The most dramatic findings on the Weighted Index of Social Progress (WISP) over the entire 50-year period reported in this study are summarized in Fig. 4.1 (renumbered Fig. 1.1 in Chap. 1) and Fig. 4.2 (renumbered Fig. 1.2 in Chap. 1). These 2 figures show the average WISP scores and percent change in WISP scores for each decade over the 50-year period between 1970 and 2020 (est.). These two figures summarize changes in world social development by major world region for the entire 50-year period reported on in this study. The patterns reported in these figures are significant and offer a vivid picture of the changes that have taken place over the extended period reported in this chapter. They are consistent with the focus of this chapter, whose central concern is progress at the global level in advancing quality of life and well-being of all of the world’s nations, the latter of which reflects changing social patterns within 95% of the world’s current total population.
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Notes
- 1.
A preferential trade area (also referred to as a “preferential trade agreement” or “PTA,” is a trading bloc that gives preferential access to certain products from the participating countries. This is done by reducing tariffs but not by abolishing them completely. A PTA can be established through a trade pact. It is the first stage of economic integration (Investopedia, 2018).
- 2.
The reader need only examine the origin of many of the items on her/his desk to determine how many of those items originated in China (or other economically emerging East Asian economies) including the cell phone, tablet, computer(s), and other electronics on which many of us now depend.
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- 4.
A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes. With this unique capability, GIS reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions. A GIS is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3-dimensional scenes. With this unique capability, a GIS provides deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions (ESRI, 2018).
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Estes, R.J. (2019). World Social Development and Well-Being Trends. In: The Social Progress of Nations Revisited, 1970–2020. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 78. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15907-8_4
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