Globalization

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

• the increasingly worldwide integration of all aspects of social co-existence (culture, politics, economy, communication)

Question 2

Impact on environment

Answer 2

• increased consumption of goods leads to exploitation of environment and depletion of natural resources
• widespread deforestation (e.g. for soy bean plantations) leads to loss of biodiversity, disruption of the balance of the ecosystem
• transportation of goods leads to more air pollution
• companies stick to environmentally harmful but cheap production techniques in order to stay competitive
• mass production of products which contain plastic (cheap however harmful bc non-biodegradable product) –> gets thrown into the oceans and seas, leading to formation of plastic patches and is toxic for sealife, microplastics consumed by fish and reaching us through the food chain
• but: globalization can trigger environmentally friendly innovations and bring public awareness about labor and environmental standards (eco labels and fairtrade)
• in spite of efforts, damage inflicted cannot be undone so easily and is in some cases irreversible

Question 3

Impact on children

Answer 3

• fosters child labor bc work is outsourced to the cheapest country, many children work for subcontractors of global companies
• India world’s capital for child labor (55 mill. children under 14, 20% of country’s economy dependent on child labor)
• children work in very dirty conditions with no safety measures, often exposed to dangerous materials e.g. in copper mines, get abused physically
• work long periods of time for very little money and not able to go to school
• companies like Nestle and HM indifferent about child labor, but other companies like GapKids fight against it (they terminated contracts with over 130 suppliers bc of child labor)
• companies and customers can demand better conditions, globalization brings awareness to the issue

Question 4

Impact on education

Answer 4

• companies require more qualifications, higher education and fluent english
• many jobs move overseas and there’s more competition –> pressure to pursue higher education
• problem: people who can’t afford going to college/university or who aren’t able to will have even more difficulties finding a job, won’t be able to participate in global trade (demand for non-qualified workers is falling)

Question 5

Impact on women’s wages

Answer 5

• global companies require more commitment and flexibility, expect employees to be available around the clock
• many women which have children aren’t able to keep up with these expectations due to demands of motherhood –> result: working mothers earn less than women without kids and even less than men
• women stuck on mummy track after birth and wages never fully recover

Question 6

Impact on health

Answer 6

• organ transplants more available, cheaper medication from India and China
• deadly diseases spread more easily due to increased travel
• global pandemics with devastating economic and social consequences

Question 7

Impact on culture

Answer 7

• increased understanding for people from foreigh countries, better communication, broades personal horizon and helps to understand other perspectives and cultures
• strengthens ties between nations and dampens xenophobia
• but: if people’s tastes and traditions converge, there will be cultural homogeneity –> loss of unique cultural practices

Question 8

Impact on economy

Answer 8

• countries which have embraced free trade have been lifted out of poverty and are developing quickly (China and India)
• lower prices, consumers have a wider choice
• developing countries profit from outsourcing, leads however to job insecurity in developed countries due to international competition
• developed countries like America become de-industrialized –> in long term low economic growth, less innovations, lower productivity, declining wages and living standards for industrialized countries