Globalisation Practice Questions Flashcards
12 marks
Assess the extent to which cultural diffusion caused by globalisation inevitably leads to social and political tension
Yes
Erodes traditional ways of life - like cultural colonialism - it is inevitable that this will cause tension because some will want to embrace it whilst others wont
No government takes kindly to new cultures being enforced - they will take measures to protect eg Welsh language GCSE - but some will disagree so this will necessarily lead to tensions
No
Glocalisation proves that TNCs can adapt to new environments and in fact improve social and political links rather than create tension
Asian comic book of the 99 superheros of the 99 qualities of Allah shows that cultural diffusion can be just that - shared, embraced, causing a new blend of cultures whilst retaining its essence which avoids tensions
12 marks
Assess the impact of TNCs creating both winners and losers for people and environments
Winners
TNC owners (developed countries where they pay tax) and those in the country of origin who get the best paying jobs
Eg In India they offer education and training to employees
The multiplier effect
Losers
Often done at the expense of the environment
Eg in India they have taken agricultural land to build call centres and Coke plant in Kerala ruined the water supply
China has seen huge losses in health and environment the ‘airpocalypse’ that has taken 5 years off life expectancy
And unsafe working conditions in Bangladesh and China mean people lose out too
Assess the role of trade bloc in contributing to the growth of both the global economy and national economies
Global
Free trade leads to Global supply chains which spreads out profits worldwide
More deeply/widely connected global economy because trade is facilitated by trade blocs
National
Facilitates more trade for locals eg in agriculture no tariffs means larger market
Acquisitions/mergers eg Shell and BG group grows national economies because of tax paid
Can have a negative impact eg Ghana where the EU only allows tariff free import of unprocessed cocoa when they should be able to make more money by processed cocoa - negative impact on national economy because of EU’s contradictory laws
Assess the extent to which the global shift has caused more social costs than social benefits
Social costs
81% of Indian call centre workers in New Delhi showed signs of depression
Health eg. The airpocalypse in China
Social benefits
The rising middle classes in India with nighttime malls, restaurants etc for them.
Income - TNCs often pay better than local employers, leads to the multiplier effect
Assess whether the economic benefits of globalisation always outweigh the social costs
Yes
China has gone from most people being in poverty to having rising middle classes
Similarly in India they would say that there have been social benefits and even the costs are outweighed by a better salary and opportunity for progression
No
Economic benefits are mainly for the HICs and if they are for the LICs it is only the government who benefits because this is not spent on healthcare, education etc
Social costs are very high - can any economic benefit outweigh this? and shouldn’t economic benefits always aim to socially benefit a society?
