Grounding globalisation: geography really does matter

Question 1

Question: How has globalization disrupted old geographies of production and consumption?

Answer 1

Answer: Globalization has led to the relocation of production to different countries and the distribution of goods across the world, disrupting traditional patterns of production and consumption.

Question 2

Question: What has transformed in speed and interconnection due to globalization?

Answer 2

Answer: Advancements in technology and communication have transformed the speed and interconnection of global economic activities, enabling faster transactions and coordination between distant locations.

Question 3

Question: What is the difference between shallow integration before 1914 and deep integration now through GPNs?

Answer 3

Answer: Before 1914, economic integration between countries was relatively shallow. However, globalization has led to deep integration facilitated by Global Production Networks (GPNs), connecting various stages of production across different countries.

Question 4

Question: How has globalization influenced trade patterns?

Answer 4

Answer: Globalization has resulted in increased trade not only between countries but also within industries and even within individual firms, leading to intra-industry and intra-firm trade.

Question 5

Question: What is the result of globalization on production processes?

Answer 5

Answer: Globalization has led to functionally fragmented and geographically dispersed production processes, where different locations specialize in specific tasks.

Question 6

Question: What is a crucial diagnostic characteristic of a global economy according to the analysis?

Answer 6

Answer: A crucial diagnostic characteristic of a global economy is the qualitative transformation of economic relationships across geographical space, signifying a fundamental change in how regions are interconnected.
For example, in the past, a country might have only traded with its nearby neighbors because transportation was limited. But now, with improved technology and communication, countries from different continents can easily trade and do business with each other. This change in how regions are interconnected is a crucial characteristic of a global economy. It shows that the world has become more connected and integrated, making it easier for countries to work together and exchange goods and services across geographical space.

Question 7

Question: What are the different processes of globalization?

Answer 7

Answer: Globalization can be understood through various processes: globalizing, localizing, internationalizing, and regionalizing processes, each with distinct geographical and functional characteristics.

Question 8

Question: How would you describe globalization’s impact on time and space?

Answer 8

Answer: Globalization is a complex and indeterminate set of processes operating unevenly in both time and space, with its effects subject to change over time.

Question 9

Question: What is a key feature of globalization and its interconnections?

Answer 9

Answer: The processes and interconnections between different locations are in flux, continually evolving as globalization unfolds.

Question 10

Localising processes:

Answer 10

Localising processes involve economic activities that are concentrated in specific geographical areas. These activities can range from small-scale industries to large manufacturing clusters. The level of functional integration, which refers to how interconnected these activities are, can vary.

Question 11

Internationalising processes:

Answer 11

Internationalising processes refer to economic activities that spread across national boundaries but may have low levels of functional integration. This means that while the activities extend to other countries, they might not be deeply interconnected with each other.

Question 12

Globalising processes:

Answer 12

Globalising processes involve economic activities that are extensively spread across various countries and have a high degree of functional integration. This means that there is a significant level of interdependence between different parts of the globalized network. An example can be:
Example: A multinational technology company that designs products in one country, sources raw materials from another country, manufactures its products in several countries, and sells them worldwide. This demonstrates a high level of integration across different parts of the supply chain.

Question 13

Regionalising processes:

Answer 13

Regionalising processes are the operation of ‘globalising’ processes at a more geographically limited scale, usually at a supra-national level. This means that regional economic agreements or organizations facilitate economic activities among member countries. An example can be:
Example: The European Union (EU) is a regional organization that promotes economic cooperation among its member countries. Companies within the EU can freely trade with each other without many trade barriers, leading to a higher level of integration within the region.