Globalisation | A Level Global Politics

Summary

This lesson delves into globalization's impact on international relations, focusing on economic, political, and cultural dimensions. Economic globalization is characterized by interconnected economies, exemplified by the Washington Consensus and institutions like the World Bank and WTO. Political globalization involves nation-states sharing power through international bodies like the UN and NATO. Cultural globalization is more abstract, often seen in the spread of consumerism and American cultural exports, such as Hollywood and fast-food chains.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world, where different nation-states connect in various ways.
• 💼 Economic globalization involves the integration of economies worldwide, linked to neo-classical economic theories and institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
• 🏛️ The Bretton Woods institutions established pillars of international economic law, including trade regulation, monetary law, and investment regulation.
• 📉 The failure of the International Trade Organization (ITO) was partly due to lack of support from the United States and global tensions post-World War II.
• 🇪🇺 Economic globalization is exemplified by regional integrations like the European Union's single market and agreements such as NAFTA and ASEAN.
• 🗳️ Political globalization refers to the integration of political processes across nation-states, facilitated by institutions like the United Nations and NATO.
• ⚖️ Political globalization is also seen in legal institutions like the International Criminal Court and economic ones like the World Trade Organization.
• 🎭 Cultural globalization involves the spread of cultural and social ideas across nations, often linked to materialism and consumerism.
• 🎶 Americanization is a significant aspect of cultural globalization, where American culture, such as Hollywood, fast food, and music, is exported globally.
• 📊 The next lesson will explore the impact of globalization on international politics and global politics as a whole.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the lesson?

The main topic discussed in the lesson is the concept of globalization as a secondary aspect of the nation state in the context of global international relations.

How is globalization defined in the script?

Globalization is defined as a process through which the world becomes more interconnected, with different nation states connecting more with each other in various ways.

What are the three types of globalization discussed in the lesson?

The three types of globalization discussed are economic globalization, political globalization, and cultural globalization.

What is economic globalization and how does it manifest?

Economic globalization is the process by which different economies around the world become interconnected. It manifests through reducing trade barriers, allowing free movement of different modes of production, financial integration, and regional economic agreements such as the European Union's single market and NAFTA.

What is the Washington Consensus and how is it related to economic globalization?

The Washington Consensus refers to a set of economic policies that were considered the 'standard' reform package promoted by Washington-based institutions in the 1980s and 1990s. It is related to economic globalization as it emphasizes neo-classical economic theory and supports policies that facilitate global economic integration.

What were the three main pillars of international economic law established by the Bretton Woods conference?

The three main pillars of international economic law established by the Bretton Woods conference are international trade regulation, international monetary law, and international investment regulation.

What are the key institutions that emerged from the Bretton Woods conference?

The key institutions that emerged from the Bretton Woods conference include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which later became the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Why did the International Trade Organization (ITO) fail to be established?

The ITO failed to be established mainly due to a lack of support from the United States, as the Havana Charter was not ratified by the U.S. Congress. Additionally, there were increasing tensions between the global north and south, and the east-west divide during the Cold War.

What is political globalization and how does it differ from economic globalization?

Political globalization is the process by which different political processes of nation states become more integrated. It differs from economic globalization in that it focuses on the sharing of political power through global political institutions, rather than economic systems and trade.

Give an example of political globalization mentioned in the script.

An example of political globalization mentioned in the script is the European Union, which integrates political processes across member states through its various institutions such as the Council, Commission, and Parliament.

What is cultural globalization and how does it relate to Americanization?

Cultural globalization is the idea that cultures and social ideas become more integrated across different nation states. It relates to Americanization as the United States exports its culture, including movies, TV, fast food, and music, influencing global popular culture.