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IB Geography HL & SL: Essay plans
Here are a few geography essay plans I used before passing my exams in which I received a 7.
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Analyse the processes which affect cultural diversity at a global scale. [12]Introduction:
Cultural hybridity: occurs when a new culture develops whose traits combine two or more different sets
of influences.
→ created through cultural diffusion, cultural imperialism & glocalisation
Point 1: Cultural diffusion
Cultural diffusion: it is the spread of cultural traits from one place to another through the processes of
cultural change. There are a number of types:
Expansion diffusion: occurs when an idea develops in a source area & spreads into other areas while
remaining strong at the source. → e.g. spread of Islam in Saudi Arabia
Relocation diffusion: people who have adopted new ideas carry them to a new location
E.g. Cultural diffusion in Singapore
Port cities are characterised by a constant mixing of people, ideas & goods. For example, Singapore has
many multiracial communities & are characterised by:
● Global trade links
● The import & export of primary products & manufactured goods
● Mixed-race communities (which are perhaps the most visible aspect of cultural integration in port
cities)
There are around 2.5M expats living in Singapore, who account for about 40% of the island’s population.
This is up from 25% since 2000.
● There are many expatriate neighbourhoods including Orchard, Holland Village, Bukit Timah & the
East Coast
● To cater for the expat communities, there are many sporting & social clubs, international schools,
expat websites & magazines
→ the convergence of people & goods created cities characterised by diverse architecture & demand for
imported goods
● For those who became wealthy as a result of trading, much of their income was spent on luxury
goods & fashion
● Socially, it has led to intermarriages & the creation of altered cultural forms
Point 2: Cultural imperialism
Cultural imperialism: is said to exist when one culture imposes itself on another. It can be deliberate,
active or formal or otherwise.
Today, cultural imperialism has taken a new dimension of becoming a political or economic process
● E.g. TNCs & international media organisations have promoted cultural imperialism in the interest
of western & non-western nations such as CNN in the USA, the BBC in the UK & Al Jazeera in
Qatar
In some cases, it has led to the development of a hybridised culture of a complete adoption of the foreign
culture:
● E.g. Hip-Hop in the USA & high life music in Ghana have been hybridised to form what is termed
as Hip-Life, a new genre of music in Ghana
Point 3: Glocalisation
Some global brands, such as McDonald’s, have promoted cultural hybridity through glocalisation:
, Glocalisation: refers to the way products or services are designed to benefit a local market while at the
same time being developed & distributed on a global scale.
McDonald’s has over 69M customers worldwide & has mastered glocalisation by customising its
branding, food options & dietary requirements to each of its target markets
● In Israel, they seel kosher Big Macs without cheese
● Their Indian restaurants include mostly chicken, lamb & vegetarian offerings to cater to Hindus
who don’t eat beef
● In Arab countries, it offers the McArabia Chicken & has no pork in any of its meals
→ this has resulted in countries around the world appreciating their products & feeling comfortable with
their brand
Conclusion:
_________
Using examples, analyse the influence of diaspora populations on the cultural identity of different
places. [12]
Introduction:
Diaspora: the forced or voluntary dispersal of a population sharing a common racial, ethnic or cultural
identity, after leaving their settled territory & migrating to new areas.
Point 1: Chinese Diaspora
Approximately 40M ppl of Chinese origin live in sizable numbers in at least 20 countries (such as in the
US, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia)
→ with globalisation, Chinese migration for professional & business purposes has increased
● It has significant economic power, through remittances, as well as financial power invested in the
host countries.
● Chinatowns are an important symbol of Chinese culture & identity
Point 2: Syrian Diaspora
There are between 8M & 15M Syrians living outside of Syria. Increasingly, more of them are refugees
whereas earlier they were economic migrants
● In the late 19th century, many were attracted by jobs in South America. Many Syrians went to
Brazil & Argentina, & both countries have a significant number of Syrian residents.
● During the late 19th & early 20th centuries, many Syrians went to the USA. Most were Christians
fleeing persecution & in search of a better life. Many in New York lived in Manhattan in what was
to become known as Little Syria. However, as they prospered, they moved into more affluent
neighbourhoods.
● Since the 1970s, there has been an increase in the Syrian diaspora in the Middle East, initially
due to the oil economies of the region, and later due to refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria.
Point 3: Irish Diaspora
The Irish Diaspora consists of Irish migrants & their descendants in countries such as the USA, UK,
Australia, New Zealand, Canada & continental Europe
● It contains more than 80M ppl → more than 14x the population of Ireland
● Various aspects of Irish culture, such as sport (hurling & Gaelic football), traditional Irish music &
dance (popularised by Riverdance), foods & drinks, are commonplace throughout many of the
areas where the Irish have settled.
○ In Australia, Gaelic football has been hybridised into Australian-rules football
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