Globalisation Flashcards
Explain one reason why the scale of economic migration has increased. (4)
Improved (cheaper/quicker) transport links (1) Linked to new TNC airlines based on IT such as easyJet (1) so more can afford to travel further (1) and can return home for visits to maintain contact with family (1) so more people can afford to travel further/more frequently, e.g. Bangladeshi migrants to UAE by plane, or Polish migrants by coach/plane/ car to UK(1)
Explain why globalisation results in cultural erosion in some parts of the world. (4)
•TNCs bring new products and services (1), which often includes largely western cultural ideas (1) which can push out local industries (1) resulting in the gradual disappearance of traditional artefacts/services/languages (1)
OR……………..
• Joining global production chains (1) leads to environmental changes/pollution (1) which can result in loss of natural habitats (1) which can diminish traditional practices for hunter/gatherer communities (1).
Assess the impact of TNCs (transnational corporations) on creating both winners and losers for people and environments.
Explain how one transnational corporation (TNC) has contributed
to the globalisation of the world’s economy (4)
Nike has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of sports
equipment (1), employing over 44 000 workers in over 50 countries
(1) (d).
• Manufacturing helps the social and economic development of these
countries through the transfer of skills, technology and the rise in
wages (1).
• The company’s headquarters and much research takes place in
Oregon in the USA (1) but its products are manufactured in poorer
countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, where labour costs are
cheaper (1) (d).
• Components for sports goods are sourced from various different
countries around the world (1), including rubber for its trainers from
Malaysia and Indonesia and cotton from Turkey and India(1) (d).
• From its global operations Nike’s annual turnover continues to rise,
with profits reaching $14 billion in 2015 (1).
• The company has increased its global market and reputation by
sponsoring and promoting international sports events and sports
stars (1).
Suggest one way in which the physical geography of one of the selected countries might affect its rate of development.(countries are South Korea, Brazil &Uganda). (3 marks)
- South Korea - Location on the Pacific rim/Asia (1) so access to trade/ growing markets in China(1) and lower transport costs(1)
- South Korea, Brazil, China - Coastal location/not land-locked (1) so access to transport networks/ports is easy(1) for importing and exporting goods(1).
• Brazil has physical resources available e.g. oil/metal ore/fresh
water(1) so TNCS willing to invest (1) resulting in further
infrastructure development such as railways/roads/IT(1)
• Uganda landlocked/remote (1) so limited access to transport
networks/ports (1) so trade/communications are difficult/slow/
expensive (1)
• Uganda/Brazil: climate – water availability (1) so diverse crop
production (1) basis of export economy (1).
• Can have the negative impacts: dense tropical forest (1); limits the construction of infrastructure(1) limits production/ability to transfer goods/trade(1).
Explain why one political factor and one social factor might cause some countries
to be ‘switched off’ from globalisation.(4)
Political factors:—————————————————————————————————————-
- Political instability due to war, civil unrest or terrorism (1) so TNCs choose not to locate in country as trade is disrupted and profits reduced (1)
- Choice of government/political regime (North Korea) (1) limits knowledge and understanding by controlling media links/trade restricted(1)
- Open door policy(1) encourages TNC/SEZ investment or equivalent (1)
- Exclusion from trade blocs(1) means access to markets is more expensive as tariffs have to be paid(1)
- Corrupt government (1) discourages investment by TNCs(1)
Social factors:——————————————————————————————————————–
- If education is at a basic literacy level (1) population may have limited skills to attract investment from TNCs(1)
- Lack of access to clean water (1) limits quality of health/success of business (1)
- Lack of technology/infrastructure (1) which can reduce opportunities for travel/trade/information exchange(1)
- Poverty/unemployment (1) limit ability to contribute to trade
- Poor health(1) not ‘attractive’ workforce for TNCs (1)
Assess the role of trade blocs in contributing to the growth of both the global economy and national economies. (12)
AO1:
International political and economic organisations (including trade blocs) have contributed to the global economy through the promotion of free trade policies and foreign direct investment (FDI).
National governments are key players in terms of promoting free trade blocs, in making decisions to join or to leave, and in implementing required changes to trade regulations
Political and economic decision-making are important factors in globalisation whether at a national or international level.
There are political and economic reasons why some locations remain switched off from globalisation.
AO2:
Trade blocs…
Resource 1b shows growth in numbers of members for most (e.g.EU, ASEAN) but not all (NAFTA) trade blocs shown
Also, the number of trade blocs has grown globally over time, suggesting a willingness to cooperate in this way, perhaps to ensure countries are not left out of useful trade deals with regional partners.
Countries excluded from trade blocs (e.g. Vietnam, Resource 1c) have to pay higher tariffs to import coffee into the EU, restricting their opportunities and making exports more expensive.
Trade blocs facilitate business development within regions, for example, trade within the EU has grown.
This has encouraged countries to specialise as they know they can sell within the trade bloc, gaining a comparative advantage
Within the bloc, members’ industries are protected from cheap imports (e.g. coffee processing industries, or clothes from China)
Trade blocs influence global trade as non-members may seek to invest within the bloc to open access to markets (e.g. Japan investing in the UK).
Inefficient producers within the bloc can be protected from more efficient ones outside the bloc. For example, inefficient European processors may be protected from low-cost imports from developing countries. So global trade patterns are distorted by trade blocs.
Other factors:
However, UK also has trading partners outside the EU, and through Brexit seeks to widen these, suggesting the EU trade bloc is not necessarily the most important factor for the UK economy.
Other factors also play a key contribution, such as changes in transport and communications.
Trade disputes can grow up between trade blocs/countries (e.g. Russia blocking access to its markets for EU members over Ukraine) which hampers regional trade.
Global organisations including WTO exist to encourage global trade by opening up markets. This can be restricted by the actions of trade blocs.
Overall:
Trade is strengthened within trade blocs but globally restrictions occur
for those on the outside. Global trade is distorted by their actions.
Other factors apart from trade blocs play key roles in global and national
economies and these may be judged to be of greater significance, e.g. OPEC,
IGOs etc.
Explain one reason why the global shift of industry has had negative impacts on
some people in the developed world. (4)
High unemployment/loss of jobs due to cheaper labour in
overseas locations has reduced local incomes and led to a
spiral of decline/loss of shops and services.
Deindustrialisation as manufacturing jobs move overseas has
removed the skill base of communities and a lack of
transferable skills for new tertiary/quaternary employment has
reduced incomes/spending in local shops leading to further
unemployment.
Depopulation as more skilled/educated people leave so there is
nothing to attract new business investment into the area leading
to lack of hope and self-esteem of those left behind and mental
health issues increase.
Allow one mark for detailed exemplification.
Assess the view that globalisation inevitably damages the physical environment. (12)
AO1:
Globalisation may be explored through different connections and flows
between places. It often contributes to economic development.
Resulting damage to physical environment includes: air/water pollution,
land degradation, over-exploitation of resources and biodiversity loss.
Deindustrialised regions have experienced major environmental problems
including dereliction and contamination.
Concern about environmental exploitation has led to opposition to
globalisation from some groups.
Contrasting trends in economic development and environmental
management indicate differential progress between regions.
AO2:
High levels of environmental problems are caused by: Globalisation of manufacturing industry, leading to global shift of much
heavy industry to Asia, particularly cities/SEZs (links to rural-urban
population movement) with resulting pollution of the natural environment.
Importing food leads to increased carbon footprints through transport,
reduced local water supplies, and encourages use of fertilisers with
resultant eutrophication and species loss.
Trade blocs and IGOs encourage trade, facilitated by transport and ICT
developments in communication, which leads to more use of fossil fuels.
Extended supply routes for resources and manufactured goods.
These contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Indirect effects of globalisation on the environment:
Environmental regulations outside EU/USA/Japan are often less clear and
are less strictly enforced, so lasting damage occurs.
Increased personal wealth for many (e.g. middle class in China), leading to
more consumption, car ownership, and air travel on holiday.
Assessment points could make judgements about whether this is inevitable for
all areas:
Wealthy countries having “exported” their pollution-creating industries
invest in improving and protecting habitats/rivers, particularly on a local
scale where volunteers help. Link to Kuznets curve ideas.
Many TNCs have taken major steps to reduce their environmental impacts,
cutting length of supply chains and reducing packaging, for example.
ICT improvements may reduce travel, as Skype etc. allow remote
conferencing, reducing carbon footprints.
A few globalised countries have pursued a green route to development
(e.g. Costa Rica’s ecotourism) which deliberately seek to minimise
environmental problems.
Globalised values of environmental protection (Greenpeace) spread.
