Chapter 8 - Being part of a globalised world: is it necessarily good?

Question 1

Development in transportation

Answer 1

Point:
Developments in transportation systems have driven globalisation as it allows people to travel further and faster. This is achieved through improvements in the size and speed of the different modes of transportation and development of efficient and integrated transportation infrastructure such as airports, seaports, railways and highways which enable more goods and people to be carried per trip

Examples:
Air Transportation has improved tremendously in terms of the number of passengers it can carry. In the 20th century, it could only carry 16 passengers while today, with the Airbus A380 (largest commercial flight), it could transport over 853 passengers.

Explanation & Link:
With the development in the transportation system, time and cost have been saved and it helps facilitate faster movement of goods and people around the world. With more people being able to work across borders and companies can obtain cheaper raw materials from other countries through lower transportation costs. The development in transportation has created opportunities for goods and people to move around more easily, making the world more globalised.

Question 2

Advances in technology (Communication)

Answer 2

Point:
Advances in technology drives globalisation as it makes it easier for people around the world to communicate with one another. Technological advancements in communication have resulted in greater access to the internet and the increasing use of mobile communications.

Examples:
The invention of the smartphone meant that mobile phones are no longer limited for making voice calls, it also enables people from all around the world to connect and communicate through video calls, messaging, social media and even the access to the internet.

Explanation & Link:
With advances in communication. Technology, people can have access to people from around the globe which can help establish connections. They are connected as ideas, information and news are shared amongst the people all over the world at a faster and more efficient manner. The information can share anything from anywhere, connecting and shrinking the world thus driving globalisation.

Question 3

Growth of MNCs

Answer 3

Point:
The growth of MNCs drives globalisation as it increases the economic interconnections between people and goods all over the world. MNCs are businesses with their operations in more than one country. As they continue to set up operations in other countries, growing in terms of their number and size, they control more aspects of international trade and investment.

Examples:
Starbucks is an MNC with operations in over 65 countries, they source their coffee beans from other countries, they roast and pack the beans in the US before transporting their products to over 21,000 stores across the world.

Explanation & Link:
With the growth of MNCs, companies can expand. their operations. Worldwide to produce and/or sell. their products and this increases the economic activities between people and goods throughout the world. Hence,, this can create more interconnections and the independence between people and countries, thus driving globalisation.