Globalisation (A2)
(CEFR A2 Level)
(CEFR A2 Level)
Put simply, globalisation is the process of connecting countries through trade, technology, culture, and movement. It allows businesses to sell goods internationally, lets people travel for work or fun, and shares ideas, popular culture, and trends around the world. Increased migration is another important effect of globalisation.
Under globalisation, the gap between rich nations and poorer countries remains huge. Multinational companies make the most profit, while poorer communities face problems like low wages, poor working conditions, job insecurity, and pollution.
In recent years, these inequalities have created strong political reactions in many countries. Many people feel ignored by global leaders and rich elites. As a result, they support local political leaders who promise to protect local jobs, national borders, traditional values, and local identity.
Linh's story: Linh is 24 years old and works in an electronics factory in Vietnam making smartphone parts for a global brand. She works 10-hour shifts on an assembly line, but her pay is so low that she can barely afford a small room. Recently, the global company threatened to move production to another country with lower labour costs, leaving Linh and her coworkers facing lower pay and longer working hours.
Carlos's story: Carlos is 31 years old and a coffee farmer from Guatemala. For generations, his family grew local coffee crops, but cheap coffee produced by large global companies has forced local market prices down. He can no longer support his family. Facing financial ruin, Carlos decided to migrate to the United States, leaving his home and family behind to search for better work.
Economic inequality and exploitation: Globalisation allows multinational companies to shift production overseas and find cheap labour around the world. Factories move to poorer countries with low pay and weak worker protection. In these factories, workers face long hours in unsafe conditions to make products for rich nations. Meanwhile, global wealth stays in the hands of large corporations and rich nations.
Cultural loss and global dominance: As global media, Northern brands, and popular culture spread everywhere, local cultures and languages risk disappearing. For example, global fast-food chains are changing traditional diets in many poorer countries. In addition, local businesses cannot compete with massive international companies, making local economies and jobs unstable.
Environmental injustice: Global trade causes heavy environmental damage through transport pollution, factory waste, and resource extraction. The poorest communities suffer the worst impacts of climate change, pollution, and deforestation, even though they contribute the least to global envionmental impacts.
Migration and human rights: Globalisation encourages the fast movement of goods, money, and information. However, human migration is heavily limited. Millions of migrants leave their home countries to escape poverty, violence, or climate disasters. When they arrive in new countries, they often face discrimination, low pay, and a lack of legal protection.
Local actions: Social justice movements work to fix the negative impacts of globalisation. Local communities promote fair trade, protect their cultures, and fight for workers' rights. For example, fair-trade coffee and chocolate networks ensure that small farmers receive fair prices for their crops.
Local groups encourage people to buy local food, support ethical clothing brands, and recycle resources. For instance, local farmers' markets support local farming, while "repair cafés" reduce waste by fixing old clothes and electronics instead of throwing them away.