Mark scheme
Award one mark each for points of knowledge or understanding.

Allow extra marks for developed points (d).

Notes for answers
Allow credit for specific knowledge and understanding of what differential access means and how it affects economic well- being. Do not double credit opposite points such as ‘in a trade bloc means easier trade’ and ‘not being a trade bloc makes trade difficult’.
For full marks there should be a link to economic well-being.

Being in a trading bloc increases the potential for trade (1), for example NAFTA means that trade is enabled between Mexico and the US (1) (d). This improves economic well-being for Mexico where thousands of jobs are generated in the car industry (1).
However, being in a trading bloc can also have negative impacts such as a dependence on the economy of countries in the trading bloc (1). For example, Mexico suffered economically due to recession in the US in 2008 (1) due to its reliance on exports to the US (1) (d).
Some countries do not have access to trading blocs which limits trade (1) For example, Ukraine does not have access to the single market of the EU and has to negotiate its own deal (1). This means Ukrainians are not free to move to the EU to earn higher wages reducing economic well-being (1) (d).
Trade agreements can be seen as being unfair (1). Developing countries don’t have access to the rich markets of the EU (1) (d). This results in them finding it harder to trade and subsequently develop (1) (d).
The WTO has sought to ensure that developing countries all have preferential access to developed trade markets (1). This provision is called Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) (1) (d). The aim of this is to promote faster income and growth (1) (d).
Examples of trade preference schemes include the EUs ‘Everything but Arms’ (1) (d) accepts goods from the least developed countries on an import tax reduced, quota-free basis (1) (d).
However, some people criticise preferential trade agreements as they can cause cheap imports to flood in (1). This can result in deindustrialisation in developed countries and higher unemployment (1) (d).

The notes for answers are not exhaustive. Credit any valid points.

Globalisation (AQA A Level Geography)

Topic Questions