globalisation Flashcards
memorise (20 cards)
India – TNC outsourcing (Global shift)
Bangalore: hub for IT services, call centres.
English-speaking workforce, time zone advantage, cheap labour.
TNCs like Infosys and BT operate here.
Benefits: rising middle class, economic growth.
Costs: inequality, poor working conditions for some.
China – Global shift in manufacturing
Shenzhen and Pearl River Delta = manufacturing hubs.
TNCs (e.g. Foxconn, Apple suppliers) moved production here.
Benefits: rapid economic growth, infrastructure investment.
Costs: environmental degradation, sweatshop labour, rural-urban divide
🌍 Singapore – Switched-on place
Global financial hub and trade port.
High-tech infrastructure and investment-friendly.
Highly connected via air and digital.
Attracts HQs of global firms and migrants.
🚫 North Korea – Switched-off place
Politically isolated, autocratic regime.
No internet access or TNC presence.
Limited trade, sanctions in place.
Little participation in global flows.
Apple – A global TNC
HQ in California, products assembled in China.
Global supply chain – components from many countries.
Wealth generated in developed economies.
Criticism: poor factory conditions, e-waste, tax avoidance.
🇪🇺 European Union – Trade bloc example
Promotes free movement of goods, services, labour, and capital.
Supports economic growth and cohesion.
Common regulations and subsidies.
Brexit = example of tensions in trade blocs
🌏 ASEAN – Emerging trade bloc
Includes countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam.
Promotes regional economic cooperation.
Attracts TNC investment due to low wages + growing markets.
Greater integration helps compete with China.
Papua New Guinea – Cultural erosion
Globalisation bringing Western values via TV, tourism, internet.
Loss of indigenous languages and traditions.
Coca-Cola and jeans replace traditional foods and dress.
Some resistance from local groups.
📺 Americanisation – Cultural globalisation
Spread of US culture via McDonald’s, Netflix, Disney.
Global brands dominate local markets.
Critics: loss of local cultures, homogenisation.
Others see it as hybridisation (blending cultures).
🇫🇷 France – Anti-globalisation stance
Limits % of foreign-language content on TV/radio.
Protects French language and culture from globalisation.
Subsidies for French cinema.
Resistance to Anglo-American dominance.
♻️ Ghana – E-waste dumping ground
Globalisation of tech = more e-waste.
Agbogbloshie dump receives illegal waste from Europe & USA.
Health problems, toxic exposure.
Informal recycling economy exists.
💼 China – Globalisation winners
Export-led growth created 100M+ middle-class consumers.
Rising incomes, education, property ownership.
Growth in domestic demand and international tourism.
However, inequality still a major issue.
🏭 UK – Globalisation losers (Redcar, Sheffield)
Steel and manufacturing jobs lost due to cheaper global competition.
High unemployment, social deprivation.
Dependence on government regeneration schemes.
Rise of anti-globalisation sentiment (e.g. Brexit vote).
🚢 Singapore – Containerisation
One of the world’s busiest ports.
Handles over 35 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually.
Key player in enabling global trade efficiency.
Containerisation = faster, cheaper transport, global supply chains.
Helped Singapore become a “switched-on” hub
🏙️ Shenzhen – SEZ example special economic zone
China’s first SEZ (est. 1980), transformed from fishing village to megacity.
Low taxes, relaxed regulations, foreign investment encouraged.
Attracted TNCs for manufacturing (e.g. Foxconn).
Sparked China’s integration into global economy
🚶 Polish migration to UK – EU expansion
2004: Poland joins EU – freedom of movement begins.
Over 500,000 Poles moved to the UK.
Filled labour shortages (e.g. agriculture, construction).
Cultural diversity increased, but also tensions in some communities.
Indian diaspora – UAE example
Over 2.5 million Indians live in the UAE (30% of population).
Work in construction, retail, services.
Huge remittances sent back to India.
Example of global labour flows and interconnectedness.
🌐 Submarine cables – Digital globalisatio
95%+ of internet traffic flows through undersea fibre-optic cables.
Enables instant communication, global finance, outsourcing.
Example: SEA-ME-WE 5 cable links SE Asia to Europe via Middle East.
Essential for TNC coordination and digital services.
🍔 McDonald’s India – Glocalisation
Adapts menu to suit cultural/religious norms (e.g. no beef).
Offers items like McAloo Tikki and Paneer Burgers.
Shows how global brands localise to expand markets.
Helps TNCs access diverse consumer bases.
🌴 Indonesia – Palm oil & globalisation
Driven by global demand for cheap vegetable oil (in foods, cosmetics).
Deforestation and habitat loss (e.g. orangutans).
TNCs and global supply chains fuel expansion.
Sparks debate on ethical consumption and sustainability.
