Globalisation: pressures leading the world to become
one 'market', competition between giant firms, the risk
that national producers will be squeezed out.
Development: moving people beyond a life where feeding family is a
constant struggle and uncertainty. Underdevelopment: <$1 a day.
Government efforts to
increase world trade
WTO (1995).. Over 50% tariff-free
imports.
Free trade ideal for companies at similar
stages of development (encourage
competition)
Less developed countries would benefit from
protection of infant industries, until able to compete
with MNC's.
The case for globalisation
Increased competition forces local producers to
be efficient = cutting prices and increase
standards of living.
Providing the opportunity for best ideas to be
spread globally. (AIDS medicine, water irrigation,
mobiles)
MNC's: provide employment, training, allow local
entrepreneurs to learn.
Providing outlets for exports, boost
standards of living by reducing dependence
on subsistence farming (enough to feed the
family).
Provided opportunity for some countries
to break away from poverty (Mexico,
China, India).
The case against globalisation
The economic case
against
Harder for local firms to create local
opportunities.
Concern that new production doesn't necessarily mean
new wealth.
Exploitation
Extremely low wage rates, poor
working conditions.
The social and cultural
case against
Makes lives less interesting by reducing
differences between countries/cities.
Everywhere starts to look
like everywhere else
Built on
exploitation
Hard for local producers to build and grow
in a way that is suited to local needs.
Globalisation and the
British economy
Deindustrialisation
Share of exports of goods between
1953-2009 dramatically declined.
Strong position in
sales of services.
2010 2nd to America.
World trade has brought
significant increase in living
standards. Cheap imports
from China kept inflation low.
Development
1981, 50%
<$1.25 a day.
2005, 21%.
Countries such as Mexico,
China and India.. Key factors
have been:
Greater willingness to accept inward investment
from MNC's.