1. What is Mcdonalidisation?
1M
2. What is the World Social Forum? When was the first WSF meeting held?
2M
The World Social Forum (WSF) is a global platform, which brings
together a wide coalition composed of human rights activists, environmalists,
labour, youth and women activists opposed to neo-liberal globalisation.
The first meeting of WSFwas organised in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001
OR
Does globalisation lead to ‘cultural homogenisation’ or ‘cultural
heterogenization’ or both? Justify.
The cultural effect of globalisation leads to the fear that this process poses a
threat to cultures in the world. It does so, because globalisation leads to the
rise of a uniform culture or what is called cultural homogenisation.
The rise of a uniform culture is not the emergence of a global culture. What
we have in the name of a global culture is the imposition of Western culture
on the rest of the world. The popularity of a burger or blue jeans, some
argue, has a lot to do with the powerful influence of the American way of life.
Thus, the culture of the politically and economically dominant society leaves
its imprint on a less powerful society, and the world begins to look more like
the dominant power wishes it to be. Those who make this argument often
draw attention to the ‘McDonaldisation’ of the world, with cultures seeking to
buy into the dominant American dream. This is dangerous not only for the
poor countries but for the whole of humanity, for it leads to the shrinking of
the rich cultural heritage of the entire globe.
At the same time, it would be a mistake to assume that cultural
consequences of globalisation are only negative. Cultures are not static
things. All cultures accept outside influences all the time. Some external
influences are negative because they reduce our choices. But sometimes
external influences simply enlarge our choices, and sometimes they modify
our culture without overwhelming the traditional. The burger is no substitute
for a masala dosa and, therefore, does not pose any real challenge. It is
simply added on to our food choices. Blue jeans, on the other hand, can go
well with a homespun khadi kurta. While cultural homogenisation is an
aspect of globalisation, the same process also generates precisely the
opposite effect. It leads to each culture becoming more different and
distinctive. This phenomenon is called cultural heterogenisation. This is not
to deny that there remain differences in power when cultures interact but
instead more fundamentally to suggest that cultural exchange is rarely one
way.
3. Why economically powerful states protested at the WTO Ministerial
Meeting in 1999? 2M
In 1999, at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Meeting, there
were widespread protests at Seattle alleging unfair trading practices by the
economically powerful states. It was argued that the interests of the
developing world were not given sufficient importance in the evolving
global economic system.
4. How different group in India resisted the policy of globalisation?4M
There have been left wing protests to economic liberalisation voiced through
political parties as well as through forums like the Indian Social Forum.
Trade unions of industrial workforce as well as those representing farmer
interests have organised protests against the entry of multinationals.
The patenting of certain plants like Neem by American and European firms
has also generated considerable opposition. Resistance to globalisation has
also come from the political right. This has taken the form of objecting
particularly to various cultural influences — ranging from the availability of
foreign T.V. channels provided by cable networks, celebration of
Valentine’s Day, and westernisation of the dress tastes of girl students in
schools and colleges.
5. How has technology contributed to globalisation? 4M
Technology has played a vital role in the contribution of globalisation. The
invention of the
telegraph, the telephone, and the microchip in more recent times has
revolutionised communication between different factors in different parts of
the world. The ability of ideas, capital, commodities and people to move
more easily from one part of the world to another has been made possible
largely by technological advances. The pace of these flows may vary. For
instance, the movement of capital and commodities will most likely be
quicker and wider than the movement of peoples across different parts of
the
world. The digital and information revolution has changed the way the world
learns, communicates does business and treats illness. Computer technology
has made long distance learningan every day reality.
6. Define `Globalization’. Discuss the consequences of globalization. 6M
Globalization is the worldwide interconnectedness that is created and
sustained due
to the
flow of ideas, capital (Money & investment), commodities (trade) and
people
(migration).
The impact of globalization is vast and uneven. Being a multi-dimensional
concept, it has
political, economic and cultural consequences as follows:
Political Consequences
(а) In place of welfare state it is the market to become the prime
determinant of
economic
and social priorities.
(b) The entry and increased role of MNCs all over the world leads to
reduction in
capacity of
governments to take decisions on their own.
(d) The left wing protests against economic liberalisation.
(e) Indian social forums also raised voices against globalisation.
Economic Consequences
(a) It has involved greater trade in commodities across the globe.
(b) The restrictions imposed by other countries on allowing imports have
been
reduced.
Cultural Consequences
(a) The rise of uniform culture is called cultural homogenisation.
(b) Global culture is the imposition of western culture on the rest of the
world.
(c)Sometimes, external influences enlarge the choices or modify over culture
without
overwhelming the traditions.
+ examples wherever applicable..
7. Globalisation is a very contentious subject and has invited strong criticism
all
over the globe. Explain.
7. contemporary globalisation represents a particular phase of global
capitalism that makes
The rich richer (and fewer) and the poor poorer.
2 Weakening of the state leads to a reduction in the capacity of the state to
protect the
interest of its poor.
3 Critics of globalisation from the political right express anxiety over the
political,
economic and cultural effects. In political terms, they also fear the
weakening of the
state.
3 Culturally, they are worried that traditional culture will be harmed and
people will lose
their age-old values and ways.
4 Many anti-globalisation movements opposed to a specific programme of
globalisation,
which they see as a form of imperialism. In 1999, at the World Trade
Organisation
(WTO) Ministerial Meeting there were widespread protests at Seattle alleging
unfair
trading practices by the economically powerful states.
6 The World Social Forum (WSF) is another global platform, which brings
together a wide
coalition composed of human rights activists, environmentalists, labour,
youth and
women activists opposed to neo-liberal globalisation. The first WSF meeting
was
organised in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001. The fourth WSF meeting was held
in Mumbai
in 2004. The seventh WSF meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya in January
2007.
Or why did countries resist the policy of
globalisation? 6M
OR
Discuss the factors that have aided globalization. Explain the positive impact
of globalization?