Here is the complete guide for AHSEC Class 12 Political Science (Contemporary World Politics), Chapter 7: “Globalisation,” written entirely in English. This includes a chapter summary, all textual questions from the provided PDF, previous years’ AHSEC questions, and additional important questions.
Chapter 7: Globalisation
Summary of the Chapter
The Concept of Globalisation:
Globalisation is a multidimensional concept referring to the flow of ideas, capital, commodities, and people across the globe. This flow creates a worldwide interconnectedness. Globalisation has political, economic, and cultural manifestations that need to be distinguished.
Causes of Globalisation:
Technology is a critical cause of globalisation. Inventions like the telegraph, telephone, and the microchip have revolutionised communication between different parts of the world. The ability of ideas, capital, and commodities to move more easily from one part of the world to another has been made possible largely by technological advances. Equally important is the recognition among people in different parts of the world that they are interconnected.
Political Consequences:
A key debate surrounding globalisation is its impact on state capacity. It is argued that globalisation reduces state capacity, i.e., the ability of governments to do what they do. The old welfare state is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens. The market becomes the prime determinant of economic and social priorities. The entry and the increased role of multinational corporations (MNCs) reduce the capacity of governments to take decisions on their own. However, globalisation does not always reduce state capacity. The state continues to discharge its essential functions and consciously withdraws from certain domains from which it wishes to. Moreover, with enhanced technologies, the state can now collect information about its citizens and can rule more efficiently. Thus, the state remains important.
Economic Consequences:
Economic globalisation involves the greater economic flow among different countries. This is facilitated by international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It involves a reduction in barriers to the flow of commodities and capital. Advocates of economic globalisation argue that it generates greater economic growth and well-being for larger sections of the population. Critics, however, argue that it is likely to benefit only a small section of the population while impoverishing those who were dependent on the government for jobs and welfare. They have emphasised the need to ensure ‘social safety nets’ to minimise the negative effects of globalisation on those who are economically weak.
Cultural Consequences:
The cultural effect of globalisation is mixed. It leads to the rise of a uniform culture, called cultural homogenisation, where the culture of the politically and economically dominant society leaves its imprint on a less powerful society. This is often seen as the imposition of Western culture on the rest of the world (e.g., the popularity of burgers or blue jeans). However, globalisation also leads to cultural heterogenisation, where external influences lead to a fusion with local culture, creating something new and unique (e.g., wearing a khadi kurta over blue jeans). It broadens our cultural outlook and promotes a culture of exchange.
Resistance to Globalisation:
Globalisation has invited strong criticism and resistance all over the world. Critics on the Left argue that contemporary globalisation represents a particular phase of global capitalism that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. Critics on the Right are anxious about its political, economic, and cultural effects, fearing the weakening of the state and the erosion of traditional culture. The World Social Forum (WSF) is a global platform that brings together a wide coalition of human rights activists, environmentalists, and labour activists opposed to neo-liberal globalisation.
India and Globalisation:
During the colonial period, India was an exporter of primary goods and raw materials and a consumer of finished goods. After independence, India decided to be self-reliant. However, following a financial crisis in 1991, India embarked on a programme of economic reforms that sought greater integration with the world economy. Resistance to globalisation in India has come from both the Left (protesting economic liberalisation) and the Right (objecting to cultural influences like Westernisation).
Textbook Exercise Question Answers
1. Which of the following statements is true about globalisation?
(d) Globalisation is a multi-dimensional phenomenon.
2. Which of the following is a valid statement about the effect of globalisation?
(a) The effect of globalisation is different for different states and societies.
3. Which of the following is a true statement about the causes of globalisation?
(a) Technology is an important cause of globalisation.
4. Which of the following is a true statement about globalisation?
(d) Globalisation is about worldwide interconnectedness.
5. Which of the following is an incorrect statement about globalisation?
(c) The proponents of globalisation argue that it will result in cultural homogenisation. (Proponents often argue for the benefits of cultural exchange, while critics are the ones who primarily raise the alarm about cultural homogenisation).
6. What is worldwide interconnectedness? What are its components?
Answer: Worldwide interconnectedness is the central idea of globalisation, referring to the increasing links and interdependence between different parts of the world. Its components are the flows of:
- Ideas: Spreading across national boundaries.
- Capital: Moving between two or more places.
- Commodities: Being traded across borders.
- People: Migrating to different parts of the world in search of better livelihoods.
7. How has technology contributed to globalisation?
Answer: Technology has been a primary driver of globalisation. The invention of the telegraph, the telephone, and now the microchip and the Internet have revolutionised communication. This has made it possible for ideas, capital, and commodities to move from one part of the world to another much more quickly and easily, which is the essence of globalisation.
8. Critically evaluate the impact of the changing role of the state in the developing countries in the light of globalisation.
Answer: Globalisation has led to a significant change in the role of the state in developing countries.
- Erosion of State Capacity: The state’s ability to make independent economic decisions has been reduced due to the influence of MNCs and international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. The state is also withdrawing from many welfare functions, leaving them to the market.
- Primacy of Core Functions: However, the state remains the primary institution for its core functions, such as maintaining law and order and national security.
- Enhanced Capacity: In some areas, technology associated with globalisation has enhanced the state’s capacity to collect information about its citizens and rule more effectively.
In essence, globalisation has not made the state irrelevant, but it has changed its role, reducing its capacity in the welfare and economic sectors while potentially strengthening its surveillance capabilities.
9. What are the economic implications of globalisation? How has globalisation impacted on India in this sphere?
Answer: The economic implications of globalisation include:
- Increased flow of trade in commodities and capital across the globe.
- Restrictions imposed by different countries on allowing the imports of other countries have been reduced.
- The role of international institutions like the IMF and WTO has expanded.
In India, after the 1991 economic reforms, globalisation has led to higher economic growth and increased foreign investment. Indian companies have also started investing abroad. However, it has also created challenges for smaller producers and farmers who have to compete with global players.
10. Do you agree with the argument that globalisation leads to cultural homogenisation?
Answer: I do not fully agree with this argument. Globalisation can lead to cultural homogenisation by promoting a dominant culture, often Western or American, across the world. The popularity of burgers, blue jeans, and Hollywood movies are examples of this.
However, the opposite process of cultural heterogenisation also occurs. This is when external cultural influences mix with local cultures to produce something new and unique. For example, the fusion of a khadi kurta with blue jeans is a new style that is a product of this process. Therefore, globalisation does not just lead to uniformity; it also creates new and diverse cultural forms.
11. How has globalisation impacted on India and how is India in turn impacting on globalisation?
Answer:
- Impact of Globalisation on India:
- Economic: It has led to higher economic growth, increased foreign investment, and a wider choice of consumer goods. However, it has also increased competition for local industries.
- Cultural: It has led to the spread of Western cultural influences, but also to a greater global reach for Indian culture.
- India’s Impact on Globalisation:
- People of Indian origin are playing key roles in multinational corporations and in the global tech industry (e.g., in Silicon Valley).
- Indian culture, including yoga, Bollywood films, and Indian cuisine, has become popular worldwide.
- Indian companies are increasingly investing abroad and becoming multinational themselves.
Previous Year AHSEC Exam Question Answers (2015-2024)
Short Questions
- 2015: Write one feature of globalisation. (1 Mark)
Ans: The rapid flow of ideas, capital, commodities, and people across the globe. - 2016: Mention one political consequence of globalisation. (2 Marks)
Ans: It has led to an erosion of the capacity of the state, especially in its role as a welfare state. - 2017: Write one cause of globalisation. (1 Mark)
Ans: The rapid advancement of technology, especially in communication. - 2018: Mention one economic consequence of globalisation. (2 Marks)
Ans: It has led to the reduction of restrictions on the import of goods and the free flow of capital between countries. - 2019: Mention one cultural consequence of globalisation. (2 Marks)
Ans: It can lead to cultural homogenisation, where the dominant Western culture spreads across the world. - 2020: What is the World Social Forum (WSF)? (2 Marks)
Ans: The World Social Forum (WSF) is a global platform that brings together human rights activists, environmentalists, labour, youth, and women activists opposed to neo-liberal globalisation. - 2022: When did India adopt the New Economic Policy? (1 Mark)
Ans: In 1991. - 2023: Mention one positive impact of globalisation. (1 Mark)
Ans: It increases the flow of capital and technology from developed to developing countries. - 2024: Mention one negative impact of globalisation. (1 Mark)
Ans: It can lead to an increase in economic inequality between the rich and the poor.
Long Questions
- Question: Discuss the political consequences of globalisation. (4/6 Marks)
Ans: The political consequences of globalisation are complex and debated.- Erosion of State Sovereignty: One major consequence is the erosion of state capacity and sovereignty. The rise of multinational corporations and international organisations (like the WTO and IMF) limits the ability of governments to make independent decisions, especially in the economic sphere. The state is increasingly withdrawing from its welfare functions.
- Strengthening of the State: Conversely, globalisation has also strengthened the state in some respects. With advanced technology, states now have an enhanced capacity to collect information about their citizens and monitor them.
- Continued Primacy of the State: Despite the challenges, the state remains the primary institution. It continues to perform its core functions of maintaining law and order and national security.
Thus, globalisation has not made the state obsolete but has altered its functions and reduced its capacity in some areas while enhancing it in others.
- Question: Write a note on the resistance to globalisation. (4/6 Marks)
Ans: Resistance to globalisation has come from various quarters across the political spectrum.- Critiques from the Left: Critics on the political left argue that contemporary globalisation is a new phase of global capitalism that benefits the rich at the expense of the poor. They protest against the reduction of state capacity to protect the interests of its poorer citizens.
- Critiques from the Right: Critics on the political right express anxiety over the political, economic, and cultural effects. They fear the weakening of the state, the loss of economic self-sufficiency, and the erosion of traditional culture due to the influx of foreign, particularly Western, influences.
- The World Social Forum (WSF): The WSF is a major global platform that opposes neo-liberal globalisation. It brings together a diverse coalition of activists who seek an alternative model of globalisation that is more equitable and just.
These movements of resistance highlight that the impacts of globalisation are not universally beneficial and that it is a highly contested phenomenon.
10 Additional Important Questions and Answers
- What is globalisation?
Ans: Globalisation is the process of worldwide flow of ideas, capital, commodities, and people, leading to greater interconnectedness and interdependence among different parts of the world. - What is cultural homogenisation?
Ans: It is a process where globalisation leads to the rise of a uniform culture, often dominated by Western cultural influences, at the expense of local cultures. - What is cultural heterogenisation?
Ans: It is a process where external cultural influences blend with local cultures to create new and unique hybrid cultural forms. - When did India begin its economic reforms?
Ans: In 1991. - Where was the first meeting of the World Social Forum (WSF) held?
Ans: In Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2001. - What is one positive economic impact of globalisation?
Ans: It facilitates the flow of capital and technology from developed to developing countries, potentially boosting economic growth. - What is one negative cultural impact of globalisation?
Ans: It can pose a threat to local and traditional cultures. - What is the role of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in globalisation?
Ans: MNCs play a central role in the global flow of goods, services, and capital, setting up production and marketing operations in multiple countries. - What does the term ‘McDonaldization’ refer to?
Ans: It refers to the spread of American culture and consumerism across the globe, leading to a standardisation of food, fashion, and lifestyle. - What is one reason for resistance to globalisation?
Ans: Many believe it increases economic inequality and harms the interests of weaker countries.
