Americanisation: the action of making a person or thing American in character or nationality.
Colonialism: the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Cultural homogenisation: the process by which local cultures are transformed or absorbed by a dominant outside culture".
Cultural appropriation: the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged minority cultures.
Cultural imperialism: The extension of the influence or dominance of one nation's culture over others, now usually through the exportation of cultural.
Development: A process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components.
Extremism: the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism.
Foreign / international aid: money, food, or other resources given or lent by one country to another.
Global norms: Norms in development are typically established at the global level to solve complex development challenges on the ground. These norms are standards of expected behaviour and are deemed crucial for societies to flourish. Global norms, however, often fail to take root in local contexts.
Global supply chain: It is a dynamic worldwide network when a company purchases or uses goods or services from overseas. It involves people, information, processes and resources involved in the production, handling and distribution of materials and finished products or providing a service to the customer.
Imperialism: a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.
International community: a broad group of people and governments of the world
Inter-governmental organisation (IGO): An intergovernmental organization (IGO) or international organization is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states
International law: This is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally accepted in relations between nations.
Isolationism: a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.
Mercantilism: belief in the benefits of profitable trading.
Nationalism: loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially a sense of national consciousness
Neocolonialism: the use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.
Populism: support for the concerns of ordinary people.
Protectionism: the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.
Sovereignty: the authority of a state to govern itself or another state
Straits Times | 26 MAR 2022
Since the end of World War II, the world has formed and dissolved blocs, gone through financial crises and seen shifts in the global financial order. Here's a look at some of the major milestones in globalisation since 1944.
1944: The Bretton Woods conference establishes the post-war financial order. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank are founded.
1945: World War II ends. The United Nations rises from the ashes of war.
1947: The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which lowers trade barriers, is signed. The Cold War begins.
1949: The US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or Nato, is created.
1955: The Warsaw Pact is formed in the Soviet bloc.
1957: The European Economic Community, a precursor to the European Union, comes into being.
1961: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, is set up.
1967: The Association of South-east Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is established.
1971: The United States announces the end of the US dollar's convertibility to gold, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system.
1973: The first oil crisis occurs following the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries' oil embargo.
1978: China adopts economic reforms and opens up to foreign businesses.
1979: The second oil crisis occurs in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.
1989: The Berlin Wall falls. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation intergovernmental forum is formed.
1991: The Soviet Union collapses and the Cold War ends.
1993: The European Union emerges.
1995: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is founded, replacing the GATT.
1997: The Asian financial crisis roils East and South-east Asia.
1999: The Group of 20 intergovernmental forum is established.
2001: China joins the WTO.
2008: The global financial crisis occurs.
2018: The US-China trade war begins. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership mega trade deal is signed.
2020: The Covid-19 pandemic begins, triggering a global economic recession.
2022: Russia invades Ukraine.
1. Is globalisation to be welcomed or feared today? (2019)
Globalism versus Nationalism
1. ‘In the global village we inhabit, there is no justification for national boundaries.’ How far do you agree? (2018)
2. How far is it important for people to be aware of current events in countries other than their own? (2014)
3. Discuss the claim that in the modern world people should care more about international than national issues. (2013)
4. Should a love of one’s country still be encouraged? (2009)
International relations, aid and cooperation
1. Given greater levels of international cooperation, how necessary is it for countries to engage in the arms trade? (2020)
2. ‘Countries experiencing conflict should be left to sort out their own problems.’ How far do you agree? (2016)
2. Is competition always desirable? (2016)
3. How far is it possible for one country to forgive another for its past actions? (2015)
4. In times of economic hardship, should a country still be expected to provide financial or material aid to others? (2014)
5. How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (2011)
6. How effective are international efforts to ease the problem of global hunger? (2010)
7. Is the elimination of global poverty a realistic aim? (2009)
8. Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (2008)
Global Trends
1. Discuss the view that, with an increasing global need for energy, every possible source should be exploited to the full. (2014)
2. Is there any point in trying to predict future trends? (2013)
3. Why should we be concerned with current affairs when most of them will soon be forgotten? (2013)
4. Assess the impact of foreign films or foreign TV programmes on the culture of your society. (2009)
5. Can the transport of food over vast distances be justified? (2009)
6. ‘Air travel should be discouraged, not promoted.’ To what extent do you agree? (2008)
7. To what extent does the migration of people have a positive effect? (2008)
8. How far do physical features, such as size and location, determine a country’s progress? (2008)
9. ‘National boundaries make little geographical or economic sense nowadays.’ Discuss. (2006)
10. ‘The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’ Discuss. (2006)