Factors that have Enabled Globalisation

4.5 Factors that have Enabled Globalisation

Description

Quick Overview

Globalisation has rapidly increased due to technology, liberalization of trade, and international pressures, significantly impacting MNCs and local economies.

Standard

The section explores the factors enabling globalisation, such as advances in technology, policy changes promoting trade, and the pressures exerted by international organizations like the WTO. It highlights how these factors contribute to the global spread of production and the interaction between multinational corporations (MNCs) and local economies, particularly in the context of India's economy.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

Globalisation is a process that integrates economies, cultures, and societies across the world, driven primarily by advances in technology, liberalization of trade and investment policies, and pressures from international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Over the past thirty years, multinational corporations (MNCs) have played a significant role in this process by relocating production to regions where costs are lower, often in developing countries like India.

Key Factors Enabling Globalisation:

  1. Technological Improvements: Innovations in transportation and communication technologies, such as container shipping and the internet, have drastically reduced costs and improved efficiency in the movement of goods and services globally.
  2. Liberalization of Trade and Investment Policies: Countries, especially developing ones, have increasingly removed barriers to foreign trade and investment to attract MNCs, which encourages competition and improves product variety and quality in local markets. Understanding India's pre-liberalization era provides context for its rapid economic shifts post-1991.
  3. Influence of International Organizations: Bodies like the WTO promote policies that facilitate free trade, impacting domestic policies in various countries.

These elements have led to heightened interdependence, where production and services are often linked across countries. MNCs take advantage of this interconnectivity to optimize production processes, creating both opportunities and challenges for local industries.

Key Concepts

  • Globalisation: The increasing interconnectedness among countries driven by trade and investment.

  • Multinational Corporations: Major players in globalisation, facilitating the movement of goods and services across borders.

  • Liberalisation: The process of removing trade restrictions to foster economic growth and foreign investment.

  • WTO's Role: Influencing global trade policies and practices, especially for developing countries.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Global trade is fast and wide, technology's the trusted guide.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once a firm wanted to spread its wings, technology helped, and business sings! They found new markets across the sea, liberalisation made it easy as can be!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember key factors: TLI - Technology, Liberalisation, International Organizations.

🎯 Super Acronyms

WTO stands for **World Trade Organization**, a body to regulate trade.

Examples

  • Ford Motors establishing a manufacturing plant in India to take advantage of lower production costs while exporting cars globally.

  • The rise of local Indian companies benefitting from the influx of foreign investment and competition post-1991 liberalisation.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Globalisation

    Definition:

    The process of increasing interconnectedness among countries, particularly in terms of trade, investment, and culture.

  • Term: Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

    Definition:

    Companies that operate in multiple countries, controlling production facilities or offices abroad.

  • Term: Liberalisation

    Definition:

    The removal of restrictions and barriers to free trade to promote economic exchange.

  • Term: WTO (World Trade Organization)

    Definition:

    An international body that regulates trade rules and agreements among nations to facilitate free trade.

  • Term: Foreign Investment

    Definition:

    Investment made by a person or entity in one country in a business or assets located in another country.