Social, Political & Environmental Tensions
Social, Political & Environmental Tensions
- International migration is a feature of globalisation and has been encouraged by:
- Open borders - e.g., the large numbers of post accession migration following eight eastern European countries joining the EU in 2004
- Deregulation - the removal of ‘red-tape’ for businesses
- Foreign Direct Investment which have encouraged TNC workers to move abroad
- This has created culturally mixed societies and thriving migrant diasporas throughout the world
- However, tensions can easily arise between immigrant groups and communities in the host country for example:
- Migrants require housing, jobs and education which could put certain services under strain which could lead to tensions between communities
- Immigrants may feel that they are being discriminated against
- The rise of extremism in Europe e.g., there are some nationalist parties that oppose immigration
Worked example
Explain how rapid globalisation has created political tension in some locations.
[6 marks]
- This is a levelled answer
- Rapid global changes include:
- Open borders
- Deregulation
- Encouragement of FDI/TNCs
- Migration
- Use of social media
- Tensions could be between countries, governments and locals and include:
- Migration pressures
- Economic development but growing inequalities
- Environmental damage
- Tourism, leading to clashes of culture
- Climate change
Level |
Marks |
Example Answer |
1 |
1 - 2 |
Globalisation has led to the opening of borders which leads to large numbers of people migrating to other countries. This rapid increase of people can put a strain on services in the area such as schools and healthcare which can create tensions. |
2 |
3 - 4 |
Globalisation has led to the opening of borders, for example the opening of borders for EU nations which led to large numbers of people migrating. This influx of people can put a strain on services and some people worry that the birth rate will increase beyond the coping capacity of schools in the local area. |
3 |
5 - 6 |
Globalisation has led to open borders, for example, in 2004, eight Eastern European countries became members of the European Union (EU). This led to huge numbers of migrants in the UK and Ireland which can put a strain on services in some areas. Some local people worried that because of the large numbers of young migrants, the birth rate may increase beyond the coping capacity of schools in the local area. |
Exam Tip
Migration can be a sensitive issue, with many people having different opinions. In the exam, make sure you provide a range of different opinions/attitudes from a geographical viewpoint to maintain balance in your answer