Global systems for nature of economic, social and environmental interdependence in the contemporary world.

Question 1

How does globalisation cause interdependence?

Answer 1

• Economic- oil
  -Political- solve issues. Syria migration crisis 2015
  -social- migration
  -environmental- Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion in the UK- cancers/ birth defects
  -Creates inequality between and within countries.
  brings more benefits ( wealth/ power) to more developed countries due to flows of people, money, ideas and technology are unequal.

Question 2

What are ideas about how the world works are dominated by developed countries?

Answer 2

• Before 1980s most national governments took responsibility for welfare and control of imports through trade barriers.
• After 1980s many decided they would make more money if they removed barriers, privatised state owned companies and government spending was cut.
• This increased free trade and less conflict between countries.

Question 3

However, what was the problems with developed countries removing barriers and privatised state owned companies and government spending was cut?

Answer 3

• Inequalities,- (neoliberalism started in developed so has remained amongst the wealthy)
• Conflict ( private companies and free trade in a LDC are threatened by governmental decisions, developed countries believe their intervention is justified- war)
• Injustice ( Gov, and TNCs may argue that free trade and privatisation is the best way to develop and this justifies poor working conditions and environmental degradation in LDC).

Question 4

How do unequal flows of people create benefits and inequalities?

Answer 4

Tends to be developing to developed( wars/ refugees) but can be rich, skilled workers ( pay for VISA)
Easier to migrate if from a developed country.
Benefits- economic growth- do jobs some people don’t wan to do.
Remittances can be sent home to increase capital flows in developing country .

Question 5

What are the problems with unequal flows of people?

Answer 5

Inequalities; (brain drain), conflict ( willing to be paid less- declined in wages HIC) and injustice ( dangerous conditions e.g Qatar 2022 world cup)

Question 6

How do globalisation makes some countries more powerful than others?

Answer 6

• Unequal flows= unequal power relations.
• HIC’s/ NEE’s with a lot of money/ technology can drive global systems to their own advantage ( global control)
• LIC’s lack money/ technology and have limited power- they can only respond to global events.
• climate change good example as HIC’s cause and LIC’s suffer.

Question 7

Most technology is owned by developed countries

Answer 7

• Globalisation has led to unequal flows of technology( developed to less developed)
• concentration of technology leads to innovation in specific areas.

Question 8

What are the problems of most technology being owned by developed countries?

Answer 8

Inequality ( developed can afford, can make products cheaper as result, have better communication/ services whereas LDC’s can’t). Conflict/ injustice ( repressive governments of LDC’s have used technology for modern weapons to stop protests from their own people).

Question 9

How can global institutions reinforce unequal power relations?

Answer 9

IMF and world bank govern global finances.
IMF monitors the global economy and advises governments on improvements and provide loans.
The world bank also provides loans to LDC’s to invest health, education, infrastructure.
Money comes from subscriptions from members ( all pay in, but only those who need it pay out). LDC’s do have to pay back loans.

Question 10

Why do some say that global institutions reinforce unequal unequal power relations?

Answer 10

• IMF and WB based in USA- led by developed countries, LDC’s who require loans therefore have less influence.
• conditional loans to LDC’s have to make changes.
• WTO works to reduce trade barriers, but may developed counties have kept barriers in place reducing imports from LDC’s.