Began at the end of the Cold War
(1980's) and the collapse of the
Soviet bloc in 1989-91. This lead
to countries implemetning more
market-orientated economic
systems to negotiate barriets to
trade. International bodies such
as the WTO have been active in
these negotiations.
Large TNC's are also based on
capitalist ideologies.
Social Change
George Ritzer calls global social
change the process of
'McDonaldization' whereby big TNC's
are spreading around the world and
beginning to increase economic
growth. It encourages foreign direct
investement and the reduction of
government intervention in the
economy. This is highly neoliberal.
Everywhere is developing e.g. neoliberal
borrowings form the IMF, SAP's
(structural adjustment programmes) and
campaigns by organisations such as
UNICEF to impact the poor.
Contrasting Views
Some believe that globalisation is
a new phenomenon and sceptics
argue it is not historically
unprecedented e.g. statistical
evidence shows that the flows of
trade investments and labour since
the start of the 19th Centuryhas a
similar pattern therefore,
globalisation is a myth and no
more than a continuous integration
of national economies.
Transformationalists
however assert that
globalisation is a
long-term perspective
and that its neither a
good or bad thing but
instead, is an ongoing
proces that may
continue or gradually
fade away.
Social/Environmental
Impacts
Fewer dictatorships, more liberal
democracy, less capitalism, less
authoritarianism, aid has increased but
more democratically, environmental
damage e.g. pollution, oil/chemical
productions e.g. Niger Delta in India,
Lack of regulation on the developing
world.
Spread of
Westernisation.
Impactss culture since globalisation is based on
the West and the rich e.g. this can be exemplified
in the growth of TNC's such as McDonalds and
Coca-cola - AMERICANISATION... there has also
been a rapid growth off hte tourist industry and the
spread of the English language which has become
a dominant cultural language.
Western values are becoming
implemented in previously traditional
societies e.g. Latin America
Money
World Bank helps to reduce
global povety.
It also focusses on activies in developing countries.
We also have the
IMF which is a
global lender.
Case Studies
Oil in Negeria
Nike/McDonalds/Coca-Cola
TNC's
Poverty reduction in Uganda e.g. 85% live in poverty
and the poverrt eradication and action plan (1997)
developed a strategy to improve the situration by
improved economic management, enhanced prosuction,
conflict resolution since there was much
vonflict/improved security, good democratic governance
focussing on human rights/justice/law/order and human
development e.g. education and healthcare
Economic growth was
essential to poverty
eradication and the action
plan lead to the explansion of
the private sector and
protectionism to be
established