EQ2: What are the impacts of globalisation for countries, groups of people and cultures, and the environment? Flashcards
Why do many economists argue that the twenty-first century will be ‘Asia’s century’?
The global economic centre of gravity has shifted towards Asia in the last 30 years. This is a result of the global shift of industry towards Asia. In particular:
- The shift of manufacturing jobs
- The shift of service and administration jobs
What are the benefits of the global shift to Asia?
- Major investment in roads, ports, airports and power infrastructure; China built 11,000 km of new motorways in 2015 alone.
- A shift from informal, insecure employment to waged employment with a set income and some security.
- TNCs invest in training and skills development to improve workforce productivity, and some skills are transferable.
- Major reductions in regional poverty due to employment; some 600 million Chinese were lifted out of poverty between 1992 and 2015.
- As more people in formal employment pay taxes, local and national government invest in public services such as education and health.
What are the costs of the global shift to Asia?
- Urban sprawl and loss of productive farmland and forests as industry and cities expand to accommodate industry and worker housing.
- New development tends to be unplanned and sometimes poorly built, lacking key public services.
- Pressure on natural resources, especially water supply as new factories and offices demand resources.
- Low wages, long working hours, lack of union representation and possible exploitation of workers.
- Rapid loss of tradition such as local foods and dress as the pace of urban and industrial change is so rapid.
What percentage of the world’s coal is burned in China?
Close to 50%
Around what percentage of China’s rivers and lakes are polluted?
Around 50%
Around what percentage of China’s groundwater is polluted?
Around 40%
What percentage of China is subject to desertification and severe soil erosion?
Over 20%
What has the impact been of the desertification and severe soil erosion which China has been subject to?
- Major dust storms
- Combined with deforestation, desertification has forced many farmers off their land and into cities as the farmland has been over-exploited.
How many years has air pollution in northern China been estimated to reduce life expectancy by?
Air pollution in northern China has been estimated to reduce life expectancy by nearly five years.
What the consequence of global shift been for developed countries?
For developed countries, the global shift has meant deindustrialisation.
What social and environmental problems in many former industrial cities in the developed world has economic restructuring caused?
- Declining populations
- High violent crime rates
- Dereliction
- Unemployment
What percentage of all land in Glasgow is derelict?
About 4% of all land in Glasgow is derelict; this land is mostly disused factory sites and is often contaminated by industrial waste, making it costly to reuse.
What have the connections created by globalisation caused there to be an increase in?
The connections created by globalisation have caused an increase in global migration.
What form of migration is the most significant?
Rural-urban migration
In developing and emerging countries, what percentage of urban growth is caused by rural-urban migration?
In developing and emerging countries about 60% of urban growth is caused by rural-urban migration.