the syllabus says |
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7. Global interactions
- Alternatives: Describe the role of civil societies in raising awareness of local and global environmental, social and cultural issues.
- Examine the role of civil societies in supporting local economic activity and strengthening local cultural values.
- Discuss the position held by anti-globalization groups.
in theory: views on globalization
This page asks the BIG questions:
- What is a hyperglobalist?
- What is a sceptic?
- What is a transformationalist?
- What is a hyperglobalist?
Hyperglobalists believe:
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In the video below, two people explain why they think the spread of democratic government is a good example of the power of globalization.
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- What is a sceptic?
In this video, sceptics suggest that the lack of an elected, democratic world government means that the world remains a loose collection of individual, separate political units.
In summary, sceptics believe that globalization is a process that has been going on for hundreds of years, and we are simply in another stage of that process. They believe that the nation-state remains the most important component of the world's economy, society and environment.
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Sceptics take the opposite view. They believe:
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- What is a transformationalist?
Transformationalism can be seen as a mid-point between the extremes of hyperglobalism and scepticism. They believe that:
- The world is connected more than ever before, but is not yet a single unit
- This is caused by several forces working together, but that there are also forces working against the process of globalization
- Inequality still exists but often not in the same ways as before
- Places are getting closer together, but this is not an evenly spread process
- The nation-state is still important but there are new ways of holding power e.g. through multi-governmental organisations
- Globalisation will lead to the transformation of economies, cultures and environments
In summary, transformationalists believe that while the world is becoming more globalized, there are important processes and factors that limit the level to which the world can be seen as a single entity.
The video below summarises the main theories together. The key terms appear around 4 minutes through following an introduction to globalization.
the practice: civil society engagement in global and local issues
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Civil society can be responsible for raising awareness of issues. These issues may be global or local, or anywhere in between.
The group 'Sum Of Us' is one of many campaign groups that brings together people from many different backgrounds to work towards a common goal. It is a strong example of a civil society group that uses the internet to reach a wider audience. The position of anti-globalization groups is generally that they are against a hyperglobalist world view and believe it to be bad for people, economies and the environment. However, they are concerned that in reality, that is the direction that the world is heading in. |
civil society raises awareness: global issues
Civil society and global trade issues: The TPP and TTIP
In his State of the Union address in January 2015, US President Obama mentioned his commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). These are two trade agreements that aim to bring further integration between countries, including through the standardisation of regulated practices such as manufacturing quality. A similar agreement known as CETA was being discussed between the European Union and Canada.
In an Observer (UK newspaper) article, Lee Williams summarises the TTIP as "about reducing the regulatory barriers to trade for big business, things like food safety law, environmental legislation, banking regulations and the sovereign powers of individual nations."
In his State of the Union address in January 2015, US President Obama mentioned his commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). These are two trade agreements that aim to bring further integration between countries, including through the standardisation of regulated practices such as manufacturing quality. A similar agreement known as CETA was being discussed between the European Union and Canada.
In an Observer (UK newspaper) article, Lee Williams summarises the TTIP as "about reducing the regulatory barriers to trade for big business, things like food safety law, environmental legislation, banking regulations and the sovereign powers of individual nations."
However, many people have never heard of it, as it is under-reported in mainstream media. There are many who are opposed to TTIP. Civil society groups are drawing attention to this issue through online campaigns and encouraging political activitism. The video on the right is an example.
This activism includes online petitions, such as the one here, which is explained in detail by the StopTiPP campaign page. The petition is part of the European Union's European Citizen's Initiative under which any petition gaining more than 1 million online signatures becomes an invitation to the European Commission to propose legislation. In effect, civil society groups are encouraging greater political participation about the issues. |
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Note that one problem of gaining information about such political issues is the quality of the source - so it is essential to check the quality of the sources that are being used. Using websites designed to indicate trustworthiness is a good start!
February 2017 update: TTIP is over...for now
It seems likely that the TTIP is not going to come to fruition.
During the American general election of 2016, Donald Trump argued strongly against TTIP's sister trade deal, the TPP - Trans Pacific Partnership, which was between 12 countries around the Pacific. In January 2017, one of his first acts was to sign an executive order withdrawing the USA from the TPP.
President Trump's position on free trade is complicated. He says he is in favour of free trade, but it must be fair trade. In practice, he is in favour of protectionism - the protecting of domestic (in-your-own-country) industries by implementing trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. This makes foreign goods more expensive. President Trump argues that as long as other countries have tariff barriers, the United States should too.
TTIP would have removed these trade barriers. However, the TPP continued without the USA and was signed in November 2017.
The failure of the TPP seems likely to stall efforts towards the TTIP. In addition, the attention of European countries is focused on the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. With such big geopolitical forces in flux, it seems highly unlikely that TTIP will go ahead in the foreseeable future.
It seems likely that the TTIP is not going to come to fruition.
During the American general election of 2016, Donald Trump argued strongly against TTIP's sister trade deal, the TPP - Trans Pacific Partnership, which was between 12 countries around the Pacific. In January 2017, one of his first acts was to sign an executive order withdrawing the USA from the TPP.
President Trump's position on free trade is complicated. He says he is in favour of free trade, but it must be fair trade. In practice, he is in favour of protectionism - the protecting of domestic (in-your-own-country) industries by implementing trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. This makes foreign goods more expensive. President Trump argues that as long as other countries have tariff barriers, the United States should too.
TTIP would have removed these trade barriers. However, the TPP continued without the USA and was signed in November 2017.
The failure of the TPP seems likely to stall efforts towards the TTIP. In addition, the attention of European countries is focused on the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. With such big geopolitical forces in flux, it seems highly unlikely that TTIP will go ahead in the foreseeable future.
civil society raises awareness: local issues
Cycling in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is the most densely populated territory in the world. However, only 25% of the space is urbanised, as 40% of the territory is designated as country park, and the rest is too steep to build on. In June 2014, 47.8% of Hong Kong's 7 million people lived in Hong Kong Island (purple) and Kowloon (yellow) leading to population density rates reaching up to 57120 people per square kilometre in the Kwun Tong area. To alleviate the population pressures in the south of the territory, Hong Kong has embarked on a massive development of new towns in the New Territories. The expansion of new towns such as Ma On Shan, Tai Po, Fanling and Yuen Long is an opportunity to develop greater sustainability in Hong Kong's urban environment. This includes transport. Hong Kong's subway system (called the MTR) is one of the world's most efficient systems, carrying 4.46 million passengers per day, and Hong Kong also has extensive bus and other public transport, totalling over 12 million passenger journeys per day. However, due to its dense urban infrastructure, cycling is very limited. Source: http://community.fortunecity.ws/campus/gettings/583/Housing.html
New Towns already built are in red, proposed new towns, including towns already in existance and to be developed further, are in green. |
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong
The Hong Kong Cycling Alliance: raising awareness of cycling in Hong Kong The photograph below left shows the Sha Tin new town area, and below right shows a section of the cycle path along the river. It is visibly flat and therefore has plenty of potential for cycling. However, only 10% of the Hong Kong population is able to ride a bicycle. Despite some government efforts to assess the potential for cycling, many cyclists believe that there is not enough attention on the issue. The Hong Kong Cycling Alliance brings together over 100 local cycling clubs and groups through social media and promotes cycling through:
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Source: http://www.aecom.com/Where+We+Are/Asia/Urban+Development/_carousel/Sha+Tin+and+Ma+On+Shan+New+Town,+Hong+Kong
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Source: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/see-do/great-outdoors/cycling/sha-tin-to-tai-po.jsp
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