Intégration inégale dans la mondialisation

Question 1

Global Value Chains (GVCs)

Answer 1

The full range of activities required to bring a product from its initial design and production stages to its final consumption. (design, production, transport…)

Question 2

Emerging nations

Answer 2

rapid industrialization and economic growth but not yet fully developed. (BRICS…) they see improvement in infrastructure, education, and market liberalization.

Question 3

Global governance

Answer 3

The system of rules, policies, and institutions that manage global issues and promote international cooperation. (organizations, treaties, and mechanisms that regulate areas like trade, security, environmental issues, and human rights)

Question 4

Global Inequality

Answer 4

The uneven distribution of wealth, income, and resources between and within countries. Disparities in living standards, opportunities…

Question 5

International Organisations

Answer 5

UN WTO WB… operate across national borders to adress global issues.

Question 6

Least Developed Country (LDC)

Answer 6

severe challenges to sustainable development due to low levels of income, education, and health.

Question 7

NGOs

Answer 7

Non-profit organizations that operate independently from government control. (Red Cross, Greenpeace, and Doctors Without Borders….)

Question 8

Trade blocs

Answer 8

Groups of countries forming agreements to promote trade among themselves by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. (EU, ASEAN, MERCOSUR…)

Question 9

TNCs

Answer 9

Large corporations that operate in multiple countries, often control a significant portion of the global economy and can influence both local and international markets. (GAFAM, Shell…)

Question 10

Smile curve

Answer 10

It shows how value is added at the two ends of a production process—design and marketing—while the middle stages, like manufacturing, add less value.

Question 11

Wold System Theory

Answer 11

Created in the 70s by Wallerstein, it divides countries in core and periphery, it evolves with time.

Question 12

Core

Answer 12

They hold significant political, economic, and cultural power, are characterized by their ability to influence global markets, with high standards of living, robust infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce.

Question 13

Periphery

Answer 13

Less developed and dependent on the core, they tend to be rich in natural resources but often lack the technological capacity or infrastructure to exploit them. They are subject to political instability, weak governance, and social inequalities.

Question 14

Examples of Core countries

Answer 14

US, Western Europe, East Asia…

Question 15

Examples of Periphery countries

Answer 15

Sub-Sharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia…

Question 16

Semi-periphery

Answer 16

Characteristics of both core and peripheral nations, often industrializing and growing economically but still rely on the core for capital, technology, and market access.

Question 17

Examples of semi-periphery countries

Answer 17

Eastern Europe, parts of Southeast Asia, and Latin America (Russia, Turkey, and South Africa).

Question 18

How did globalization influence the core-periphery dynamics

Answer 18

by defying Western powers (rise of multinational corporations with supply chains that span the globe, China’s rise as a global manufacturing hub, new geopolitical powers like the BRICS…)

Question 19

Factors for unequal intergation

Answer 19

History and colonialism, geographical or geopolitical position, access to capital and investment, technological and infrastructure gaps, trade and economic policies, social and institutional factors…

Question 20

Why does the colonial past influence global integration ?

Answer 20

Ressource extraction, economic systems benefited the colonizer, artificial borders, weak intitutions and political instability…

Question 21

Why does the geographical position influence the global integration ?

Answer 21

landlocked countries (Nepal, Tchad…) struggle for transport, close to important canals, have important natural ressources (Saudi Arabia and Russia for energy)

Question 22

foreign direct investment (FDI)

Answer 22

when a company or individual invests directly in business operations or assets in another country.

Question 23

Multinational corporations (MNCs)

Answer 23

companies that operate in more than one country, managing production or services across borders.

Question 24

How can a country not attract investment ?

Answer 24

Lack of skilled workforce, weak institutions, high levels of corruption, political instability, and inadequate infrastructure…

Question 25

How can economic policies influence world integration ?

Answer 25

Countries that adopt open trade policies and actively pursue free trade agreements (FTAs) are often better able to access global markets and attract investment (South Korea and Singapore). (X protectionist policies)

Question 26

The World Bank

Answer 26

aimed at reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. It provides loans and grants to developing countries for projects in areas such as infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture.

Question 27

Critics against the World Bank

Answer 27

loans often come with conditions (structural adjustments that require economic reforms like privatization and austerity measures, focus on large-scale infrastructure projects can sometimes harm local communities and the environment).

Question 28

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Answer 28

economic survaillance, policy advice, financial support (emergency financing like during the 2008 global crisis for Greece, Ireland...) in exchange for structural reforms aimed at stabilizing and restructuring their economies.

Question 29

The World Trade Organization (WTO)

Answer 29

1995, forum for negotiating trade agreements, resolving disputes, reduce trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies. Helped trade after WWII.

Question 30

Critics of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Answer 30

favouring developed countries, undermining developing country’s ability to protect their domestic industries, fails to address environmental concerns and workers' rights adequately...

Question 31

How were Key International Organisations influenced by emerging countries ?

Answer 31

They pushed for a more balanced voting structure, more inclusive and flexible frameworks to help development, adress historical imbalance in trade agreements, created alternative institutions (AIIB...)

Question 32

How did Brazil change its economy in the 90s?

Answer 32

they dismantled protectionist trade policies, reducing tariffs, and privatizing state-owned enterprises (President Fernando Henrique Cardoso).

Question 33

MERCOSUR

Answer 33

trade bloc with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay -> promoting regional economic integration in South America and facilitating negotiations with other international economic blocs.

Question 34

Brazil's important natural ressources

Answer 34

iron ore, oil, and natural gas -> economy focused on exports = unstable.

Question 35

Why is Brazil a leader in South America ?

Answer 35

MERCOSUR, BRICS, UNASUR, pushed for reforms in global institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, maintaining good relationships with western powers, important role in international diplomacy (climate change with Paris Agreement, UNFCCC...)

Question 36

Brazil's social situation : successes

Answer 36

increased connectivity, exposure to global culture, and access to new technologies (+importance of cultural export for soft power or of hosting international events).

Question 37

Brazil's social situation : failures

Answer 37

exacerbated social inequalities and created challenges related to labor and social rights.

Question 38

Brazil's challenges :

Answer 38

2008 global crisis, corruption scandals and slow growth, dependent on exports making its economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices

Question 39

SEZs (Special Economic Zones)

Answer 39

designated areas within a country where special economic rules apply (tax breaks, relaxed regulations, or trade incentives) to attract foreign investment and boost economic activity.

Question 40

Shenzhen

Answer 40

First Chinese SEZ (1980), went from a small fishing village to a major global manufacturing and innovation hub within a few decades. Now attract FDIs (home of Huawei and Tencent).

Question 41

Why does Shenzhen attract FDIs ?

Answer 41

favorable policies, low labor costs, and proximity to Hong Kong.

Question 42

Three main typed of trade blocs

Answer 42

Free trade area : no tariffs (internal or external), can negotiate own trade deals. Custom Union : no tariffs, no border checks, common external tariffs, trade deals for the Union. Single market : no tariffs, common external tariffs, freedom of movement for goods and people, common rules and regulations.

Question 43

Catch-up effect

Answer 43

Countries joining a rich trading bloc can benefit from inward investment and increased trade opportunities (Eastern Europe and the EU).

Question 44

Gravity theory of trade

Answer 44

trade with countries in close proximity is the most important due to lower transport and similar cultural and economic ties.

Question 45

Trade diversion

Answer 45

shifting trade toward member countries even if non-member countries can be more interesting. (inefficiencies and lost opportunities for countries, which can harm their economies)

Question 46

Advantages of Trade Blocs

Answer 46

More trade, lower prices for consumers, specialization, pooling of resources and expertise, gives small countries a voice, choice for the consumer -> competitiveness, helps political cooperation, gravity theory, catch-up effect.

Question 47

Disadvantages of Trade Blocs

Answer 47

Trade diversion, regional or worldwide inequalities, interdependence, loss of soveirgnty, higher cost domestic products, structural unemployment as resources shift from uncompetitive industries to newer industries.

Question 48

ASEAN, who and when ?

Answer 48

1967, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia

Question 50

ASEAN successes

Answer 50

AFTA (1992 free trade area), lower tariffs attract FDIs, important economic hubs (Singapore...), political dialogue, ARF (regional forum that includes China, Russia...), AHA center (coordinates disaster response ; 2004 tsunami)

Question 51

ASEAN failures

Answer 51

Economic disparities and different political systems so hard to manage (South China Sea conflict), non interference policy (Myanmar 2021 coup), decisions are made with consensus, AEC (economic community) resists to sovreignty loss.