GS: Globalisation Flashcards
How does globalisation have a range of meanings
The way it is defined in any context tends to reflect the priorities or prejudices of whoever is writing. Economists, historians and geographers may all define globalisation differently, according to there own interests. Some people may take a scientific viewpoint and define globalisation in a way that is free of any values or perspectives. Others believe that the impact of globalisation on people’s lives means there should always be a moral or ethical dimension to its discussion.
Define globalisation
The growing economic interdependence of countries worldwide through increasing volume and variety of cross border transactions in goods and services, freer international flows of capital and labour, and more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology.
Geographers describe globalisation in general terms as the process by which places and environments become more:
Interconnected
Interdependent
Deeply connected
Connected together in real time as part of a shrinking work (also known as time/space compression)
How has the shrinking world concept been enhanced by the use of information and communications technology (ICT)
An important outcome of the relationship between ICT and globalisation is the growth of extensive networks of people and places. All kinds of global networks can be modelled, ranging from social networks such as Facebook and twitter to the complex supply chains of global corporations.
ICT enables all these interactions by providing affordable, instantaneous connectivity. Over time, network connections have become faster and more inclusive of all people in society, not just privileged groups. As a result, a staggering amount of globally available digital information has been created since 2000.
Tell me some aspects of the ‘shrinking world’
Up to the mid nineteenth century most travel was on horseback, with an average speed of 10mph.
Steam trains have moved at up to 70mph, and steam ships at over 30mph
By the mid twentieth century, air travel was much more common, again reducing travel times across the world.
From the late twentieth century, communication has become almost instant with the internet.
What are the different types of globalisation
Economic
Political
Social
Cultural
Tell me about economic globalisation
Th growth of transnational corporations (TNCs) has accelerated cross border exchanges of raw materials, components, finished manufactured goods, shares, portfolio investment and purchasing. ICT supports the growth of complex spatial divisions of labour for firms and a more international economy. The internet and World Wide Web have allowed extensive networks of consumption to develop (such as online purchasing on eBay and Amazon).
Tell me about political globalisation
The growth of trading blocs (eg European Union (EU), the North American free trade association (NAFTA)) allows TNCs to merge and make acquisitions of firms in neighbouring countries, while reduced trade restrictions and tariffs help markets to grow.
The G7/8 and G20 groups of countries meet regularly to discuss global concerns such as the global economy and the environment (the financial crash of 2007 and climate change being two major issues of recent years). The world bank, International Monetary Fund and the world trade organisation work internationally to harmonise national economies.
Tell me about social globalisation
International migration has created extensive family networks that cross national borders. City societies across the globe have become multi ethnic and pluralistic. Global improvements in education and health can be seen over time, with rising life expectancy and literacy levels, although the changes are by no means uniform or universal. Social inter connectivity has grown over time due to the spread of universal connections such as mobile phones, email and the use of ‘social media’.
Tell me about cultural globalisation
Successful western cultural traits have come to dominate in some nations - sometimes called the Americanisation or ‘Mcdonaldisation’ of tastes and fashions.
‘Glocalisation’ is a more complex outcome that takes place as old local cultures merge and meld with globalising influences. The circulation of ideas and information has accelerated due to 24 hour news reporting: people also keep in touch using virtual spaces such as Facebook, Skype, twitter and WhatsApp. The latter have been linked to the globalisation of terrorism.
Tell me about another way of considering globalisation
Is to describe it as the latest chapter in a long story of global trade, migration and cultural change. Globalisation can be said to be the continuation of a far older, and ongoing, economic and political project of empire building. Globalisation can therefore be seen as a series of periods in an economic, social, political and cultural story.
Tell me about economic, social, political and cultural globalisation during the 1950s.
Period 1 during the 1950s: the end of the age of colonial empires with, for example, independence for African and Asian countries; post war settlements and bodies (the IMF, World bank, general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) and the WTO); the growth of container shipping.
Tell me about economic, social, political and cultural globalisation during the 1960s -1980s
Period 2:The rise of the Asian tigers (Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore) And deindustrialisation of parts of western core countries, the rising influence of the organisation of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) and their oil price rises; offshoring beginning in earnest; the spread of financial deregulation and the growth of money markets.
Tell me about economic, social, political and cultural globalisation during the 1990s to the present day
Period 3: the fall of the Soviet Union; the growth of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) economies; the growth of trade blocs (EU, NAFTA); the acceleration of technology; punctuated by period of economic crisis.
Tell me about economic, social, political and cultural globalisation for the future
The rise and rise of China and India and some new emerging economies such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
When a company decides to embark on global marketing, what does it view the world as
One market and creates products that fit the various regional marketplaces. The ultimate goal is to sell the same thing, the same way, everywhere
Some examples include: Coca Cola, mars and lever brothers
In many cases, it seems that the common factor is to align with markets in the USA and Far East.
Define global marketing
Marketing on a worldwide scale, reconciling or taking commercial advantage of global operational differences, similarities and opportunities in order to meet global objectives.
Tell me about Coca Cola using global marketing
The company uses the same formulae (one with sugar, the other with corn syrup) for all its markets. The classic contour bottle design is incorporated in every country, although the size of bottle and can that is marketed is the same size as other beverage bottles and cans in any particular country.
Tell me about the global marketing of Mars
The company introduced a chocolate bar called ‘snickers’ around the world, though for a time, until 1990, it was marketed under the marathon in the uk and Ireland.
Tell me about the global marketing of lever brothers
In 2000, lever brothers (uk) decided to rename its household cleaning product ‘Jif’ to ‘Cif’, the company’s global moniker for the product.
Globalisation has brought about a new international division of labour. At its simplest, it is possible to recognise two groups:
Occupations that are highly skilled, highly paid and involve research and development (R & D), decision making and managerial roles. These are largely concentrated in developed (or high income countries)
Occupations that are unskilled and poorly paid assembly roles. Those tend to be located in the emerging economies, often developing (low income) countries, based on low labour costs.
Tell me about the radical changes to the simple division in labour in the last 50 years
Many countries that were classified as developing have become newly industrialised countries (NICs) and even within this group it is possible to recognise several generations, all at various stages of development.
In the mid 1950s, around 95% of manufacturing was concentrated in the industrialised economies. Since then, decentralisation has occurred, which has been largely the result of foreign direct investment by TNCs in those developing countries able to take on manufacturing tasks at a competitive price.
Define foreign direct investment
(FDI) the money invested into a country by TNCs or other national governments.
What is global shift?
The filtering down of manufacturing industry from developed countries to lower wage economies has become known as global shift. It has also resulted from the fact that high technology is no longer associated with high productivity and high wages.
