Detailed and comprehensive notes for unit 2 topic 3 (globalisation) for edexcel AS level geography. These notes cover all of the theory (global flows, development, government policies, FDI, trade blocs, the global shift, TNCs, cultural diffusion, rural-to-urban migration, international migration an...
Diagrams from “Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 1 and AS Student Book (A Level
Geography for Edexcel 2016)”, by Bob Digby (Author), Lynn Adams (Author), Russell
Chapman (Author), Catherine Hurst (Author)
,Globalisation Introduction
Globalisation: The process by which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent as a
result of increased technology, communication, trade and cultural exchange.
How the Term ‘Globalisation’ has Changed over Time:
● In the past, globalisation was mostly focused on the economy, with a large emphasis on trade, investment and
capital flows on an international scale.
● Now, globalisation also takes into account the political, cultural and social aspects of the world.
● This is because of cheaper communication allowing easier transmission of information and more available
transport allowing for easier transmission of people and goods.
Strands of Globalisation
Economic:
● Interdependence of world economies as a result of increased cross-boarder trade of commodities and services,
flow of international capital and wide/rapid spread of technologies.
● Positives: rapid development of sciences and technologies; reduced cost of transportation and communication.
● Negatives: increased contagion risk.
Political:
● When governmental action takes place on a global level. Welfare and growth are acted upon by an
international body.
● Positives: growing prevalence of international agencies; international organisations and worldwide political
movements are more common.
● Negatives: loss of control and identity leads to a resurgence of nationalism among nations.
Cultural:
● Transmission of ideas, meanings and values around the world, intensifying and extending social relationships.
● Positives: cultures can be shared and experienced around the world; birth of multiculturalism; increased
tolerance of diverse cultures.
● Negatives: general loss of cultural diversity; non-western cultures are more economically vulnerable.
Social:
● The impact of globalisation on life/work of people/families/societies.
● Positives: middle class benefited.
● Negatives: inequality (poorer people benefited less); concerns on social/income/employment security.
How is the World Becoming More Globalised?
Economic:
● Growth of Transnational companies accelerating cross board exchange
● Growth of online purchasing
● Increasing ICT supporting growth of complex spatial labour divisions
Political:
● The growth of trading blocs helping markets grow
● The world banks, International monetary fund and the WTO work internationally to harmonise national
economies
Cultural:
● Glocalisation and hybridisation as local cultures merge with globalising cultures
● Cultural traits spreading – the ‘Americanisation’ or ‘McDonaldisation’ of tastes and fashion
Social:
● Global improvements in healthcare and education
● International immigration creating extensive family networks
● Social interconnectivity have grown over time thanks to ICT improvements
● 24 hour reporting – causing spread of ideas and information.
, Global Flows
Flow of Capital
● Flows of money between people, banks, businesses and governments.
● Mobile technology and online banking have allowed for easier flow of money between countries.
● The growth of online purchasing also increased global economic opportunities.
● Multinational corporations operate on a global scale, with satellite offices and branches in numerous locations.
This means multinational companies can stay open virtually 24 hours a day and service customers no matter
where they're located.
● Example: recently isolated places like Sub-Saharan Africa are becoming increasingly connected through
trade.
Flow of Commodities
● Products that can be bought, and are often grown/manufactured in other countries.
● The development of shipping ports supported the early development of international trade.
● Advancements in containerisation reduced the costs and increased the productivity of shipping, which lead to
more efficient trade, introducing new economic opportunities for international trade.
● Improvements in logistics and supply chain management of air travel has permitted accelerated mobility of
specialised cargo.
● Example: in the 1960s, clothes were made in the UK – now the UK imports the majority of its clothing from
China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Flow of Information
● Data transferred between businesses and people.
● Fibre optics introduced in the late 1990s turned network communications into a commodity.
● Internet protocols, such as e-mail, web pages and network communications become standards that were
available for free and used by everyone. This allowed for far easier transmission of ideas, allowing for
increased social interconnectivity and the spread of cultural traits. Additionally, increasing ICT supported the
growth of complex social improvements.
● Example: The World Wide Web is a collection of interconnected documents which are accessible using the
internet. It enables people from almost anywhere in the world to access information on almost any topic from
shopping to weather forecasts; and from research to downloading music and movies.
Flow of Tourists
● Tourists can travel globally and visit countries across the world.
● Rapid advancements to global air and telecommunication networks has made air travel cheaper and faster,
hence it is more available.
● The introduction of telegraph communications and later the internet has meant that cultural traits have spread.
This means that people are more inclined to visit other countries with different cultures.
● Example: in the 1960s, people holidayed in the UK or Spain – now people can travel abroad to other
continents to visit more exotic countries.
Flow of Migrants
● Increasing opportunities for people to migrate globally to more economically successful countries for better
employment and quality of life.
● Cheaper and more available travel between nations has allowed for people from LICs to HICs where
employment and quality of life is improved.
● New technologies allow migrants to send remittances back to their families.
● Example: in recent years, immigration from Mexico and Central/South American countries to the United
States has rapidly increased because earning and lifestyle potential (as well as safety) is greater in the US
compared to remaining in their home countries.
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