Many countries today are faced with an inevitable challenge in the path of progress. While the country’s population is increasing, it needs to create more and more opportunities for work and self-realization. While many believe that the free market can regulate itself, this is not entirely true. Russia, with its vast territory, serves as a striking example of the unreliability of this principle. This country has a massive number of settlements, the distances between which make the economy in these regions extremely ineffective (TVE International, 2009). On the other hand, the concentration of the leading forces and capabilities around large cities and the pulling of the population from remote areas allows creating many opportunities.
This is partially helped by the rapidly developing concept of international trade demonstrated by China and increasing globalization. By being closer to the major urban centers, people can be involved in the global economy, which provides many opportunities. It is impossible to become part of such a system in remote rural areas and find compelling growth opportunities. However, this often involves the formation of large slum areas around cities.
From my perspective, slums do much more good than harm. They are inhabited by people who have moved closer to cities to find money and opportunities. Although they live in poverty, these people have the potential and likelihood of a decent life that is completely lacking in remote areas (TVE International, 2009). Consequently, slums are not inherently a problem for cities since poverty and all the attendant factors arise from a lack of attention from the authorities. By bringing infrastructure to slums and investing money there, people from the slums can become full-fledged urbanites who benefit the economy, create and realize opportunities.
References
TVE International. (2009). Slums and money: A socioeconomic analysis [Video]. Web.