GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE Geography A
- Globalisation: a connected world
Globalisation: a connected world
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Your phone, clothes and food probably came from several countries. That is globalisation.
What globalisation is
Globalisation is the growing connection between the world's countries through trade, investment, people, culture and information.
It has created a global economy in which goods are designed, made and sold in different countries.
It has created a global economy in which goods are designed, made and sold in different countries.
What drives it
Transport: container ships, larger aircraft and cheaper flights.
Communications: the internet, mobile phones and satellites.
Trade liberalisation: fewer tariffs and trade barriers.
TNCs: companies that operate in many countries.
Financial systems: money can move instantly around the world.
Communications: the internet, mobile phones and satellites.
Trade liberalisation: fewer tariffs and trade barriers.
TNCs: companies that operate in many countries.
Financial systems: money can move instantly around the world.
Key organisations
WTO (World Trade Organization, 1995): sets trade rules and works to reduce trade barriers.
IMF (International Monetary Fund): lends money to countries in financial difficulty, often with conditions attached.
TNCs (transnational corporations): usually have headquarters in developed countries and factories or offices in many others, such as Apple, Toyota and Unilever.
IMF (International Monetary Fund): lends money to countries in financial difficulty, often with conditions attached.
TNCs (transnational corporations): usually have headquarters in developed countries and factories or offices in many others, such as Apple, Toyota and Unilever.
Explain how container shipping has encouraged globalisation.
- Standard containers can be moved quickly between ships, trains and lorries.
- This has made shipping goods cheap and efficient.
- So companies can make goods in one country and sell them worldwide.
Answer: It cut the cost of moving goods around the world.
Globalisation is increasing connection between countries through trade, investment, people and information. It is driven by transport, communications, trade liberalisation, TNCs and financial systems. The WTO sets trade rules, the IMF lends to countries in difficulty, and TNCs operate across many countries.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.