Globalisation Flashcards
(27 cards)
How does Giddens define globalization?
Giddens defines globalization as the increasing interconnectedness of societies. This process has become more pronounced with advances in communication and information technologies, as well as accelerated international migration.
What additional perspective does Water provide on globalization?
Water adds that globalization is a social process in which the constraints of geography on economic, political, social, and cultural arrangements have declined. This means that traditional geographical boundaries have become less influential due to the global flow of ideas, goods, and people.
How has globalization been facilitated in recent years?
Globalization has been facilitated by advances in traditional communication methods, such as television, but more recently, by the development of information technology, especially the internet and social media. Additionally, international migration has played a significant role in accelerating globalization.
How does globalization impact British education policy?
Kelly argues that British education policy aims to prepare students to compete internationally, as the UK economy is global. To remain competitive among the world’s richest nations (the G7), the UK requires a skilled workforce. Policies focus on improving the global standing of British education, as evidenced by the use of international rankings such as the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) league tables.
How has the UK’s position in the PISA rankings changed over time?
Under the Labour government, the UK ranked 25th.
Under the Coalition government, it improved to 22nd.
By 2018, under the Conservative government, the UK’s ranking rose to 14th.
These changes suggest that education policies were having a positive effect on the UK’s international educational performance.
What is one of the key impacts of globalization on education policy?
One key impact of globalization on education policy is the commodification of students. British universities, for example, compete to attract overseas students who pay higher fees. Additionally, universities have established branches overseas, leveraging their British brands. Many British students also study abroad in countries that specialize in certain fields.
What is a negative consequence of the commodification of students?
A negative consequence is that many British students are seeking to study abroad because it is often cheaper than studying in the UK, where tuition fees have increased (currently to £9,535). This has led to a situation where students are increasingly viewed as commodities to be bought and sold for profit.
How has globalization impacted the curriculum in British schools?
Globalization has led to a more multicultural curriculum. Schools now teach about other faiths and cultures beyond the dominant white, Christian context. For example, lessons may include topics on Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and other world religions, as well as indigenous cultures in geography lessons.
How has globalization contributed to equality in education?
Globalization has contributed to an increased focus on equality in education, not just for minority groups but for special educational needs students, students with free school meals, and English as an additional language students. These groups are specifically targeted when evaluating school performance, aiming to address educational inequalities.
What are British values, and how are they connected to globalization?
The concept of British values includes:
Democracy
Liberty
Rule of law
Mutual respect
Tolerance
While these values are often promoted as uniquely British, they are essentially universal human rights. Some argue that they are not specifically British, but rather values that should be upheld globally.
How has the rise of multiculturalism impacted education in the UK?
The rise of multiculturalism has led to an emphasis on teaching about various faiths and cultures, promoting inclusivity and diversity. Schools are now more focused on addressing issues related to equality and ensuring that all groups, including minority and vulnerable groups, have equal opportunities in education.
Ritzer
McDonaldisation
George Ritzer – McDonaldization
What is McDonaldization and how does it apply to education?
McDonaldization, as coined by Ritzer, refers to the process by which principles of the fast-food industry—efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control—dominate other sectors of society, including education. In schools, this is seen in rigid timetables, standardised testing, and a focus on measurable outcomes like league tables and grades, often at the expense of creativity or individual learning needs.
George Ritzer – McDonaldization
How does Ritzer’s concept of grobalisation relate to global education trends?
Grobalisation describes the spread of Western capitalist ideals and institutions across the world. In education, it can be seen in the export of Western-style schooling, such as British and American curricula or private international schools, to other countries—leading to a more homogenised, market-driven model of education.
George Ritzer – McDonaldization
What is glocalisation, and how might schools show resistance to McDonaldization?
Glocalisation refers to the adaptation of global ideas to fit local cultures. Some schools resist McDonaldization by tailoring curricula to reflect local cultures, histories, and values—such as incorporating indigenous knowledge or community-based learning—to maintain educational relevance and authenticity.
Manuel Castells – Networks and Identity
What is a resistance identity and how might it emerge in education?
A resistance identity forms when individuals or groups reject dominant norms imposed by globalisation. In education, this might be seen in student movements or subcultures that challenge neoliberal educational reforms or standardisation, seeking instead to promote social justice or cultural preservation.
Manuel Castells – Networks and Identity
How does globalisation foster collective identities in education, according to Castells?
Castells argues that globalisation leads to new collective identities based on shared values and experiences. In schools, multicultural curricula and international student exchanges can foster a sense of global citizenship or solidarity among students from diverse backgrounds.
Manuel Castells – Networks and Identity
How can Castells’ theory explain the diversification of educational content?
His theory helps explain how global communication networks and migration bring a variety of cultures into contact, leading schools to adapt curricula to reflect a broader range of histories, religions, and perspectives—contributing to a more inclusive and globalised education.
David Held – Global Governance and Education
What is cosmopolitan democracy, and how does it connect to education policy?
Cosmopolitan democracy, as described by Held, is the idea of democratic governance that extends beyond national borders. This affects education when international bodies like the OECD, UNESCO, and the EU influence national education reforms, particularly through global assessments like PISA.
David Held – Global Governance and Education
How do international organisations influence national education systems?
Organisations like the OECD (through PISA tests) shape national education policy by comparing student outcomes globally. This leads governments to reform curricula, teaching standards, and testing systems to remain competitive, demonstrating how global governance shapes domestic education policy.
David Held – Global Governance and Education
Why might governments adopt policies aligned with international standards?
To enhance national economic competitiveness and status on international rankings (e.g., PISA). Held’s view shows that global pressures push states to conform to shared educational goals, often prioritising skills linked to global economic demands like literacy, numeracy, and ICT.
Anthony Giddens – Reflexivity and Late Modernity
What is reflexivity in Giddens’ theory, and how is it relevant to education?
Reflexivity is the idea that individuals and institutions continuously reflect and adapt based on new information. In education, this means policies and practices are frequently revised in response to global data, research, and societal change—for example, adapting to technological advances or cultural diversity.
Anthony Giddens – Reflexivity and Late Modernity
How does Giddens link late modernity to educational changes?
In late modern society, institutions are fluid and responsive. Giddens suggests that in education, this is seen in reforms driven by globalisation—like integrating digital learning, emphasising critical thinking, or adopting cross-national standards.
Anthony Giddens – Reflexivity and Late Modernity
How does reflexivity influence education policy?
Policymakers use global data (e.g., PISA results) to reflect on national performance and enact reforms. Giddens’ reflexivity explains the shift toward evidence-based policymaking, such as the promotion of STEM subjects or digital literacy in response to global labour market trends.
