Global interactions at the local level

Question 1

Glocalisation

Answer 1

A term invented in order to emphasise that the globalisation of a product is more likely to succeed when the product or service is adapted to the specific locality or culture in which it is marketed. It is where the global and local interact to produce hybridised outcomes.

Thinking “global”, acting “local” — cultural accommodation.

It is the modification of globalisation that makes it local.

Question 2

view on globalisation: hyperglobalists

Answer 2

• believe that this is a new geographical era
• the nation state is no longer important; instead, there is a single global market supported by transitional networks of production, trade and finance
• government structures in the scale of trading blocs are increasingly important
• see the erosion of power of the state, and thus the victory of capitalism over socialism (collapse of Soviet Union)
• economic forces are dominant in an integrated global economy
• new world order based on consumerism, which leads to a spread of liberal democracy
• globalisation leads to homogeneity of culture, the americanisation of world economy and culture
• however, reoccurring financial crisis and the involvement of national governments in an attempt to support their economies suggest that the nation state is not yet dead

Question 3

view on globalisation: skeptics

Answer 3

• question whether globalisation is anything new; believe that the world was just as integrated in the 19th century
• point out the imperfections of labour, capital and trade flow
• national governments are still the most important players (China, India and Iran become emergent powers because of their government policies)
• trade blocs promote regionalism rather than globalisation
• hyperglobalists are only interested in increasing their market share in the new global economy, which leads to marginalisation of the poor
• cultural heterogeneity will continue, although homogeneity may occur within a single nation

Question 4

view on globalisation:

Answer 4

• hyperglobalists and skeptics represent two extremes; transformationalists lie in between
• globalisation is real and changing society, an extension of colonial relations
• the role of national governments is changing rather than being made redundant
• cultural exchanges lead to hybrids
• national governments are engaged in its own economic and cultural issues, which produces diversity and increased unevenness, leading to more differentiation in global society, politics and economies

Question 5

glocalisation will occur when

Answer 5

when there is a strong local cultures and where people have the ability to resist change

the TNCs otherwise risks being treated as an “outsider” and so subject to trade or investment barriers, and thus stands to lose market share

the inventible compromise in costs and control will allow it to produce competitively, i.e. there are low labour costs and regional assistance

Question 6

adoption, adaption and rejection of globalisation

Answer 6

Globalisation is uneven, as it leaves many places out of the diffusion of ICT and other accesses. Some may argue that globalisation has marginalised and excluded many people, often rural populations, from its benefits.

For instance, of the 1.3 billion people in poverty, 70% are women.

+ However, globalisation is also closing that gap through NGO’s and other beneficial programs.

Poverty differences between rural and urban areas, shanty towns and wealthy areas, and nations are more extreme than ever. It gave people the opportunity to companies to damage FDI and environmental damage. Who is part of the globalisation process may therefore be determined by the TNC and the nation’s government, rather than its people. Of course, many more factors affect this process.

Question 7

how do TNCs employ glocalisation

Answer 7

to suit the local tastes and achieve economic benefits from localising TNCs do the following;

• TNCs employ local people
• Attempts to increase the amount of involvement with the business
• Increases the interaction between the company and the local suppliers in LEDCs
• TNCs can also lower the costs of producing goods in the area

Question 8

pros and cons of globalisation on products on a local and global scale

Answer 8

Question 9

Case Study: Shell in Nigeria

Answer 9

• Shell along with national governments worldwide have taken control of the Nigerian Oil FIelds and are using the large profits to help themselves and not the local community.
• Key Facts:
  
  • 80% of the oil is exported
  • 2 million barrels are produced per day
  • $100 million was spent on the environment by Shell.
  • 60% of the oil spills in Nigeria are due to sabotage
• Local Views:
  
  • Increased environmental degradation
    
    • Oil wells destroy lakes
  • Economic benefits are not seen by the local people
  • Locals have no influence on decisions occurring on their land
  • Ogoni (traditional people) way of life is threatened and destroyed
• TNC Views:
  
  • Shell does not contribute to local economy
  • Oil needed to pay for Nigeria’s development
  • Local people only make things worse when they destroy the fields or kidnap Shell employees

Question 10

Case Study: Uncontacted tribes in the Amazon

Answer 10

• 4000 to 6000 uncontacted people in the Amazon
  
  • In about 50 tribes
• Policy of “no-contact” is enforced
• Hunting and Gathering are the two main ways in which they survive
  
  • Near Peru/Brazil Border
• Isolation as a policy:
  
  • Pros:
    
    • No debt, foreign disease or materialism
    • Sustainable society with low levels of pollution.
  • Cons:
    
    • Small gene pool
    • Conflicts with other tribes common
    • Lack of modern medicine
    • No formal education
• Globalisation is affecting these group of people through illegal miners or loggers. They will use guns on them, fighting bows and arrows

Question 11

local responses to globalisation: Middle East

Answer 11

In the Middle East, globalisation has often been perceived as largely equivalent to westernisation, and is widely regarded as an external threat rather as an opportunity. It has coincided with wars, intrusive US power, renewed economic dependency and continuing insecurity. It has also strengthen Islamic fundamentalism. There are at least three different attitudes towards globalisation in the Middle East:

1. a form of imperialism and invasion of their culture
2. a from of scientific and technological modernisation, which can coexist alongside Arab-Islamic culture
3. a from of globalisation that is compatible with people’s national and cultural interests

The radical Islamist view is that globalisation is that globalisation threatens to undermine Islam. Human rights, freedom and democracy are viewed as tools of power which serve the interests of Western nations, in particular the USA. Of course, nothing is that simple…

While most of the world deplored the attacks of 9/11, some believed that the USA got what they deserved. The saw the US government as arrogant and hypocritical, pointing out that it had ignored some good international agreements such as the world criminal court, the abolition of land mines, and the Kyoto protocol (the USA is the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases). In addition, the USA had refused to pay its dues to the UN, and had cut its aid to the world’s poorest. While it had been eager to prosecute African and Balkan war criminals, it refused to allow its own citizens to submit to an international court. The USA has supported regimes in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America when it has suited its purpose. The USA has been criticised over its Middle East policy, appearing to have been lenient with Israel and not doing enough to push the Palestinian cause.