Globalisation
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 8.2.1
What is Globalisation?
Globalisation can be understood as the way in which a product or service is available across the world. Popular global brands include Apple, McDonald's and Starbucks.
Advantages of globalisation
- Globalisation has broken down barriers between societies as the same products, goods and services are available across the world.
- Some sociologists now refer to the world as a ‘global village’.
- E.g. if we think of a pop group as a product, it’s not uncommon for that pop group to have fans in different regions including Europe, Asia and the US.
Criticisms of globalisation
- Critics of globalisation suggest that what is actually happening is a process of ‘homogenisation’.
- With cultural homogenisation, cultural diversity is lost.
- A more dominant (usually western) culture overwhelms the smaller culture so that its’ identity is lost.
Economic globalisation
- Economic globalisation refers to the movement of capital, products and services across the globe.
- Products are now manufactured in many different countries and shipped around the world.
- Some organisations now base production in countries that have much lower labour costs and different laws around health and safety, as well as the use of child labour.
- Having a global presence also means that companies can exploit the natural resources of countries other than their own.
Economic globalisation: tax
- Some companies base their businesses in ‘tax havens’, countries with tax rates that are lower.
Cultural & Political Impacts of Globalisation
Globalisation can be understood as the way in which a product or service is available across the world. Popular global brands include Apple, McDonald's and Starbucks.
Cultural globalisation: migration
- Migration is an important concept when thinking about globalisation. Migration refers to the movement of something from one place to another.
- Cultural migration has always happened, as languages, stories and beliefs systems have been passed from one nation to another by people travelling the world.
- But more recently, migration has become much more rapid because of developments in technology. The world wide web means that messages and information can be shared in an instant.
Cultural globalisation: food
- Food is an example of cultural globalisation.
- Different countries in the world traditionally have diets that are unique to them. However, globalisation means that there are some food companies and products all over the world.
- E.g. Coca-Cola, Nescafe, McDonald's and Starbucks.
- This has led to some concerns that traditional diets and lifestyles are a risk of being lost forever.
Cultural globalisation: clothes
- Consumption patterns with clothing have also followed a similar trend with popular brands and designers having stores in all major cities in the world, as well as more local shopping centres.
Sociological perspectives
- Anthony Giddens says that these trends have led to people having a ‘global outlook’ where they identify with a global audience as opposed to their own nationality.
- Ulrich Beck (1992) says that globalisation has led to a ‘global risk consciousness’ where threats to our safety are also global, e.g. drug trafficking and terrorism.
Political globalisation
- The impact of globalisation on politics can be best understood through organisations like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union.
- These organisations encourage political co-operation between nations.
- As a result of this, the importance of individual countries, or nation-states, declines.
Test yourself on Globalisation
What nickname do some sociologists give the world because of globalisation?
Which organisations encourage political co-operation between nations?