Introduction To Globalosation

Question 1

What is globalisation?

Answer 1

‘ a series of transformation of the world, due to agencies such as the internet, that allows global interconnectedness and homogeneous global culture’

A process in which the world is becoming more interconnected, allowing for global culture and a wider global society is emerge.

National boundaries become less significant, and business are no able to operate internationally, and economy now has a global dimension.
The process of globalisation has accelerated rapidly with recent advancements in technology.

However, there are still some areas in the world where people remain marginalised and excluded from the process, often different from inequality as a result. This could be due to lack of technological advancements and resources in the country.

Question 2

What are 3 distinct process of globalisation?

Answer 2

1) Economic globalisation - interconnected ness of the world’s economies through global trade

2) Political globalisation - political ideas such as democracy, equality and human rights, in western countries now more influential around the world e.g. through media, this leads to protests and uprisings

3) Cultural globalisation - spread and sharing of national cultures. Could lead to cultural homogenisation

Question 3

Factors that caused/ affected the emergence of globalisation

Answer 3

1) Technology has advanced
Advancements in technology (e.g. email, smart phones, internet, social media) has transformed our concept of time, distance and space. E.g. global communication is possible through social media, and online banking is open 24/7

2) Ownership and control of digital media
Films, TV, fashion are developed and manufactured for global consumption rather than local
This helps lead to global culture (shared norms and values)
Steven (2004) stated that despite big differences in distance and upbringing, the world listens to the same music and watches the same films via the same communication networks/ social media.

3) Other developments (e.g. mass tourism, cheap air travel, dominance of English language in digital communication)

Question 4

Problems with defining globalisation

Answer 4

Globalisation can be a difficult concept to define:

• some sociologists see globalisation as a positive process that will produce responsible world citizens and raise the standard of living in developing societies
  Whereas some sociologists view globalisation as a negative process as it can result in cultural homogenisation (so loss of cultural diversity)
• it is a very complex process that may involve economic, social, cultural changes that may not be in sync with each other
• globalisation is a relative process, changes over time and globalisation occurs at different speed in different parts of the world (e.g. because less developed countries have no access to the internet therefore globalisation would occur more slowly) . So people from different parts of the world would define globalisation differently

Question 5

Why is there a sociological interest in globalisation?

Answer 5

1) a lot of sociological change has occurred due to globalisation

2) Giddens, Duneier and Appelbaum have stated that globalisation has caused societies to change at a very fast rate

3) sociologists want to investigate the causes and effects of globalisation