Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalisation (General)

Question 1

What is one major benefit of economic globalisation?

Answer 1

It promotes global economic growth by allowing countries to access larger markets and therefore increase economic output and job creation

Question 2

How much did the global economy grow between 2000 and 2023?

Answer 2

Global economy nearly tripled, with nominal GDP rising from about $33 trillion in 2000 to approximately $104 trillion in 2023 (According to data from the World Bank and the IMF)

Question 3

What country has arguably benefited the most from economic globalisation

Answer 3

China, experienced rapid industrialisation and saw over £800m people lifted out of poverty in the past few decades

Question 4

How does foreign direct investment (FDI) benefit developing countries?

Answer 4

FDI brings capital that boosts infrastructure and creates jobs.

Question 5

How has the global flow of technology impacted developing nations?

Answer 5

It has enabled them to adopt advanced technologies and improve productivity, such as through access to renewable energy.

Question 6

What is one consumer benefit of globalisation?

Answer 6

Access to a wider range of cheaper goods and services, improving living standards.

Question 7

How has global economic interconnectedness promoted international cooperation?

Answer 7

By tying economies together, it fosters collaboration and contributes to global stability.

Question 8

What is a key criticism of economic globalisation?

Answer 8

It has deepened global inequality, benefiting wealthy nations and MNCs more than poorer countries.

Question 9

What is the “race to the bottom” in global supply chains?

Answer 9

A situation where countries compete by offering cheap labour and weak labor protections, often worsening working conditions - particularly in industries like textiles and electronics.

Question 10

How have IMF and World Bank policies impacted developing countries?

Answer 10

Their financial assistance is often dependent on countries adopting free market refomrs, which benefits wealthier countries by giving them continued economic access to raw materials at the consequence of deepening poverty and preventing economic development

Question 11

How does economic globalisation make countries vulnerable?

Answer 11

It exposes them to global market fluctuations, as seen in the 2008 financial crisis, which especially harmed smaller economies like Ukraine and Jamaica.

Question 12

How has globalisation contributed to the dominance of multinational corporations (MNCs)?

Answer 12

It allows MNCs to pressure weaker states to adopt favourable regulations or risk losing jobs and investment.

Question 13

What impact does the power of MNCs have on state sovereignty?

Answer 13

It erodes state sovereignty by limiting governments’ ability to independently shape their economic policies.

Question 14

How has the rise of MNCs affected global inequality?

Answer 14

It has concentrated wealth and power, worsening inequality and increasing dependence on external economic forces.

Question 15

What environmental impacts has globalisation caused?

Answer 15

It has led to increased carbon emissions, deforestation, and resource exploitation, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.

Question 16

What is one of the main benefits of political globalisation?

Answer 16

It fosters international cooperation and enhances global governance through institutions like the UN and WHO.

Question 17

How has political globalisation helped address climate change?

Answer 17

Through agreements like the Paris Agreement, which brought nearly 200 countries together to commit to reducing carbon emissions.

Question 18

How does political globalisation promote human rights?

Answer 18

By enabling institutions like the UN and ICC to hold individuals accountable for crimes against humanity and authorise intervention to prevent abuses.

Question 19

What role does political globalisation play in conflict resolution?

Answer 19

It supports UN peacekeeping missions and diplomatic efforts that help prevent or de-escalate conflicts.

Question 20

How has political globalisation contributed to global stability?

Answer 20

By increasing interdependence and cooperation between states, creating a more stable and peaceful international system.

Question 21

What is a major criticism of international organisations like the UN and IMF?

Answer 21

They are seen as favouring powerful nations and imposing policies that disadvantage weaker states.

Question 22

How can IMF reforms negatively impact developing countries?

Answer 22

They often require austerity measures that increase poverty and inequality.

Question 23

Why are organisations like the EU and WTO criticised?

Answer 23

They are accused of undermining state sovereignty by forcing compliance with rules that may not serve national interests.

Question 24

What political event highlighted backlash against political globalisation?

Answer 24

The Brexit referendum, where concerns over sovereignty contributed to the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Question 25

What is a realist critique of international organisations?

Answer 25

Realists argue IGOs lack real power, as shown by their failure to prevent conflicts like Israel’s war in Gaza or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both of which have violated international law in different ways.

Question 26

What is one broad positive impact of cultural globalisation?

Answer 26

Cultural globalisation facilitates the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions across borders, fostering greater understanding and a sense of global unity.

Question 27

How does cultural globalisation promote cultural diversity?

Answer 27

It allows different cuisines, fashion, art, and music to spread globally, helping people to experience and appreciate cultures beyond their own and breaking down cultural barriers.

Question 28

Give an example of how entertainment industries show cultural globalisation in action.

Answer 28

K-pop from South Korea has gained immense global popularity, connecting different cultures through music and entertainment. Similarly, Hollywood and Bollywood stars are known and celebrated across the world.

Question 29

What role does social media play in accelerating cultural globalisation?

Answer 29

Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube spread ideas quickly, enabling social and political movements to gain global attention and unite people across borders.

Question 30

How has Greta Thunberg’s movement demonstrated the effects of cultural globalisation?

Answer 30

Fridays for Future, started by Greta Thunberg, became a global climate movement that united young people around the world to pressure governments into prioritising climate change.

Question 31

How has the #MeToo movement shown the global influence of cultural values?

Answer 31

The #MeToo movement, which originated in the U.S., gained international traction through social media, sparking conversations about gender equality and sexual harassment in multiple cultures.

Question 32

Why is the global spread of English significant in the context of cultural globalisation?

Answer 32

English as a global language has improved communication and collaboration between nations, particularly benefiting education and international business.

Question 33

How has globalisation contributed to educational development?

Answer 33

Globalisation has enriched education by promoting cross-cultural exchanges through initiatives like the Erasmus program, which allows students to study abroad and experience different cultures firsthand.

Question 34

Which shared global values have been promoted through cultural globalisation?

Answer 34

Cultural globalisation has helped spread values such as democracy, human rights, and environmental sustainability around the world.

Question 35

How do the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflect cultural globalisation?

Answer 35

The SDGs are an example of shared international values and goals, including human rights, equality, and sustainability, being promoted and adopted globally through institutions like the United Nations.

Question 36

Why is a state's economic performance no longer fully under its control?

Answer 36

A state's economic performance is now very dependent on global markets outside of their control.

Question 37

What has increased national vulnerability to global economic conditions?

Answer 37

National economies are increasingly vulnerable to global fluctuations in trade, finance, and demand.

Question 38

What event demonstrated how interconnected markets can undermine internal sovereignty?

Answer 38

The 2008 financial crisis, originating in the U.S., had far-reaching consequences for economies worldwide.

Question 39

How did the 2008 financial crisis affect global state sovereignty?

Answer 39

It showed how interconnected markets can undermine a state’s internal sovereignty.

Question 40

How does reliance on global markets affect a state's policy-making ability?

Answer 40

It weakens the state’s ability to set independent economic policies.

Question 41

Why must countries cater to international investors and foreign market forces?

Answer 41

Because their economies rely on global markets, limiting their ability to act independently.

Question 42

How do cultural and political globalisation challenge state sovereignty?

Answer 42

They amplify challenges to state sovereignty by spreading consumerism and free market capitalism.

Question 43

What effect does the spread of consumerism and free market capitalism have on states?

Answer 43

It erodes traditional economic structures and undermines national control over the economy.

Question 44

What struggle do states face due to cultural and political globalisation?

Answer 44

States struggle to maintain both political and economic control.

Question 45

How does international law challenge state sovereignty and affect states’ freedom to act?

Answer 45

International law challenges state sovereignty by requiring compliance with global norms, which limits the freedom of states to act independently in pursuit of their national interests.

Question 46

How did these TRIPS protections benefit US industries?

Answer 46

They protected patents and copyrights, ensuring US industries maintain a competitive advantage in global markets, especially pharmaceuticals where patent protections are crucial for profitability.

Question 47

What is a major criticism of cultural globalisation?

Answer 47

It is criticised for promoting homogenisation and eroding local cultures, leading to a global monoculture.

Question 48

How do MNCs and media conglomerates contribute to cultural erosion?

Answer 48

They dominate global markets, overshadowing local traditions, languages, and customs.

Question 49

How has the spread of global brands affected traditional cultures?

Answer 49

The spread of fast food chains like McDonald’s and Hollywood movies has led to a dilution of traditional culinary practices and local entertainment industries.

Question 50

How has global media impacted local artists and cultural creators?

Answer 50

Global media conglomerates have gained influence, causing local artists and creators to lose control over how their culture is represented.

Question 51

What is the consequence of global media shaping cultural narratives?

Answer 51

Cultural narratives and traditions are increasingly shaped by global corporations rather than local communities, resulting in misrepresentation and cultural dilution.

Question 52

What is an example of misrepresentation in global media?

Answer 52

Disney films Pocahontas and Moana have been criticised for misrepresenting indigenous cultures and oversimplifying their histories and beliefs.

Question 53

How is African culture exploited in global markets?

Answer 53

African cultural symbols and art are often commodified and sold by non-African companies, stripping them of cultural significance and exploiting them for profit.

Question 54

What is a broader critique of cultural globalisation in terms of national identity?

Answer 54

Critics argue it is a form of Americanisation, with American culture disproportionately shaping global norms through music, movies, and consumer goods.

Question 55

What is the result of the dominance of Western values in global culture?

Answer 55

It can marginalise indigenous cultures and contribute to the loss of cultural diversity.

Question 56

How has cultural globalisation impacted minority languages?

Answer 56

It has contributed to the decline of less commonly spoken languages, as global languages like English dominate international business, media, and education.

Question 57

What example shows the impact of English on indigenous language preservation?

Answer 57

Despite revitalisation efforts, the Maori language has struggled due to English dominance in media, education, and public life, causing a generational gap in fluent speakers in New Zealand.