The Acceleration Of Globalisation

In summary, globalisation is an umbrella term that can be used to describe how people and places are more closely connected than they used to be. The exact dictionary definition is; glo¦bal|iza¦tion [ɡləʊb(ə)lʌɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n]

1. "fears about the increasing globalization of the world economy" the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale. You don't need to know the exact dictionary definition, but you do need to understand what globalisation means.

Some people view globalisation as a positive thing. People who support globalisation are called hyper-globalisers, and believe that it represents moving on from times of poverty and different cultures worldwide mixing to become more diverse.

However, many believe that globalisation is a negative thing. This can be for many reasons, including;

• having the freedom to migrate across politcal borders is a controversial impact that not all will see as a positive thing
• the ongoing fear that TNCs (Transnational Corporations) are the cause of a growing trend towards cultural homogeneity globally.

• The growth of TNCs accelerated cross-border exchanges of raw materials, components, finished manufactured goods, shares, portfolio investment and purchasing
• ICT supports the growth of complex spatial divisions of labour for firms and a more international economy
• Online purchasing using Amazon or a smartphone

***Information on this card was selected from page 160 of "Hodder Education, Edexcel, A Level, Book 1, Geography 1, Third Edition" text book***

• International immigration has created extensive family networks that cross national borders - world city-societies become multi-ethnic and pluralistic
• Global improvements in education and health can be seen over time, with rising world life expectancy and literacy levels, although the changes are by no means uniform or universal.
• Social interconnectivity has grown over time thanks to the spread of 'universal' connections such as mobile phones, the internet and email.

***Information on this card was selected from page 160 of "Hodder Education, Edexcel, A Level, Book 1, Geography 1, Third Edition" text book***

• The growth of trading blocs (e.g. EU, NAFTA) allows TNCs to merge and make acquisitions of films in neighbouring countries, while reduced trade restrictions and tariffs help markets to grow.
• Global concerns such as free trade, credit crunch and the global response to natural disasters (such as the 2011 Japanese tsunami)
• The World Bank, the IMF and the WTO work internationally to harmonise national economies.

***Information on this card was selected from page 160 of "Hodder Education, Edexcel, A Level, Book 1, Geography 1, Third Edition" text book***

• Successful Western cultural traits come to dominate in some territories, e.g. the "Americanisation" or "McDonaldisation" of tastes and fashion.
• Glocalisation and hybridisation are a more complex outcome that takes places as old local cultures merge and meld with globalising influences.
• The circulation of ideas and information has accelerated thanks to 24 hour reporting; people also keep in touch using virtual spaces such as Facebook and Twitter.

***Information on this card was selected from page 160 of "Hodder Education, Edexcel, A Level, Book 1, Geography 1, Third Edition" text book***

Modern globalisation is different from the global economy that preceeded it because of the following reasons;

• lengthening of connections between people and places, with products sources from further away than ever before
• Deepening of connections, with the new sense of being connected to other people and places now penetrating more deeply into almost every aspect of life.
• Faster speed connections, with people able to talk to one another in real time, using technologies such as Skype, or travel quickly between continents using jet aircraft.

***Information on this card was selected from page 161 of "Hodder Education, Edexcel, A Level, Book 1, Geography 1, Third Edition" text book***