7.1.3

Globalisation for MEDCs

Test yourself on Globalisation for MEDCs

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Positives of Globalisation for More Developed Economies

As with LDCs, more-developed countries (MDCs) have undergone changes as globalisation continues.

Export-led growth

Export-led growth

  • Globalisation allows countries to develop further through export-led growth and an export-led positive multiplier.
    • For example, South Korea developed over many years via an export-led growth model.
Increased competition and choice

Increased competition and choice

  • More contestability (lowering barriers to entry and exit) such as deregulation allows for:
    • More access to foreign goods and services.
    • More competition.
    • Lowering price further.
  • Globalisation means increased choice for consumers (e.g. plasma TV from Japan and BMW from Germany).
Better supply of labour

Better supply of labour

  • Free flows of labour mean that labour shortages can be filled and wage inflation can be suppressed by creating a greater pool of labour for firms to choose from.
  • MDCs are usually the beneficiaries of 'brain drain' from LDCs.

Negatives of Globalisation for More Developed Countries

As with LDCs, more-developed countries (MDCs) have undergone changes as globalisation continues.

Structural/regional unemployment

Structural/regional unemployment

  • Domestic firms could be out-competed by competitors in LDCs with lower costs and close down. Because labour is a derived demand, this could lead to regional unemployment.
    • E.g. the 'Rust Belt' in the USA suffered from losing its main industry of car manufacturing.
Vulnerability to shocks

Vulnerability to shocks

  • By becoming more interdependent, the risk of contagion (an external event somewhere else in the world coming back to affect you) rises.
  • Contagion makes a country more vulnerable to economic problems elsewhere.
    • E.g. economic problems spreading through the Eurozone countries after the events of the financial crisis in 2008.
Exchange rate volatility

Exchange rate volatility

  • Volatile speculative flows of hot money are a feature of globalisation. Changes in interest rates can cause investors to take their money out of a currency in seconds.
  • Frequent changes in exchange rates are hard to manage as an importer and an exporter.
    • In 2011, the Swiss Franc changed in value vs the Euro by 30% in one day.
    • Between 2014 and 2016, the Brazilian Real fell 50% vs Sterling.
  • Exchange rate volatility can make it difficult for MNCs to plan.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction to Markets

2

Market Failure

3

The UK Macroeconomy

4

The UK Economy - Policies

5

Business Behaviour

6

Market Structures

7

A Global Perspective

8

Finance & Inequality

9

Examples of Global Policy

Practice questions on Globalisation for MEDCs

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
Answer all questions on Globalisation for MEDCs

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium