Global systems and governance – 20-mark essay
To what extent has the impact of globalisation been uneven and unfair? (20 marks)
Globalisation is a process that reflects the increased interconnectedness of the world. A global
network of communications, transport, flows and trade have enabled the world’s economies, societies
and cultures to become more integrated.
Positive impacts Impacts considered to be unfair and unequal
- Increased economic prosperity and - In many poorer nations, investment by
opportunity, particularly some would TNCs is seen as a means of exploiting
argue in developing nations workers and resources in ways that only
- A wider allocation of resources benefit the TNCs
- The footloose nature of TNCs opening - The concerns over ‘electronic
up opportunities for employment and sweatshops’ due to the outsourcing of
growth in emerging economies call centres and customer service work
- The diffusion of culture through media, - Opportunities in the developed/richer
television and the internet parts of the world have meant that the
- The organisation of individual nations most skilled and educated have moved
into trading blocs away from poorer areas hindering their
- The broadening of the global economy development
spatially with the emergence of a - There is a concern in all countries
number of world cities regarding the erosion of their culture
- The growth of international migration and ‘nationalism’ is increasingly seen as
spreading multiculturalism, language an alternative
sharing and economic opportunities - The environmental impacts of industrial
development such as pollution of the
air, oceans and freshwater systems,
can be carried across national
boundaries
Application of knowledge and understanding to evaluate the impacts. For example:
• Creating international groupings can increase control over trade, reduce the ability of poorer
nations to compete, impose unfair tariffs and increase protectionist policies.
• TNCs have a range of benefits but also costs; the exact balance and the extent to which a host
country is affected depends on the context, but TNCs can increase inequality.
• Globalisation is an uneven process, e.g. the spread of telecommunications and ICT have been
beneficial to many but have also left vast numbers of people who are not ‘connected’ at a
disadvantage.
• The outcomes of globalisation vary across the world. There are many groups and societies who
are unaffected and marginalised, particularly by the economic benefits of globalisation. Take, for
example, women, who make up 70_f the people in poverty.
• There are also differences within countries and within urban areas of those who have benefited
from globalisation and those who have not.
• The increased flows of capital and labour have meant that companies can shift locations relatively
easily. Wealthy companies can invest in some places and remove investment from others, the
impacts of which create inequality and leave poor countries in the hands of wealthy TNCs.
• Conclusions may cover the different theoretical views on globalisation, alternatives to
globalisation and the rise of nationalism.
To what extent do transnational corporations (TNCs) bring more benefits than problems to the
countries in which they operate? (20 marks)
Benefits and problems for the host country
Benefits include:
- Jobs and income are created – link to the multiplier effect
- New technology is brought in
- Workers are provided with new skills
To what extent has the impact of globalisation been uneven and unfair? (20 marks)
Globalisation is a process that reflects the increased interconnectedness of the world. A global
network of communications, transport, flows and trade have enabled the world’s economies, societies
and cultures to become more integrated.
Positive impacts Impacts considered to be unfair and unequal
- Increased economic prosperity and - In many poorer nations, investment by
opportunity, particularly some would TNCs is seen as a means of exploiting
argue in developing nations workers and resources in ways that only
- A wider allocation of resources benefit the TNCs
- The footloose nature of TNCs opening - The concerns over ‘electronic
up opportunities for employment and sweatshops’ due to the outsourcing of
growth in emerging economies call centres and customer service work
- The diffusion of culture through media, - Opportunities in the developed/richer
television and the internet parts of the world have meant that the
- The organisation of individual nations most skilled and educated have moved
into trading blocs away from poorer areas hindering their
- The broadening of the global economy development
spatially with the emergence of a - There is a concern in all countries
number of world cities regarding the erosion of their culture
- The growth of international migration and ‘nationalism’ is increasingly seen as
spreading multiculturalism, language an alternative
sharing and economic opportunities - The environmental impacts of industrial
development such as pollution of the
air, oceans and freshwater systems,
can be carried across national
boundaries
Application of knowledge and understanding to evaluate the impacts. For example:
• Creating international groupings can increase control over trade, reduce the ability of poorer
nations to compete, impose unfair tariffs and increase protectionist policies.
• TNCs have a range of benefits but also costs; the exact balance and the extent to which a host
country is affected depends on the context, but TNCs can increase inequality.
• Globalisation is an uneven process, e.g. the spread of telecommunications and ICT have been
beneficial to many but have also left vast numbers of people who are not ‘connected’ at a
disadvantage.
• The outcomes of globalisation vary across the world. There are many groups and societies who
are unaffected and marginalised, particularly by the economic benefits of globalisation. Take, for
example, women, who make up 70_f the people in poverty.
• There are also differences within countries and within urban areas of those who have benefited
from globalisation and those who have not.
• The increased flows of capital and labour have meant that companies can shift locations relatively
easily. Wealthy companies can invest in some places and remove investment from others, the
impacts of which create inequality and leave poor countries in the hands of wealthy TNCs.
• Conclusions may cover the different theoretical views on globalisation, alternatives to
globalisation and the rise of nationalism.
To what extent do transnational corporations (TNCs) bring more benefits than problems to the
countries in which they operate? (20 marks)
Benefits and problems for the host country
Benefits include:
- Jobs and income are created – link to the multiplier effect
- New technology is brought in
- Workers are provided with new skills
