Geopolitical Tension (HL IB Geography)

Revision Note

There are many reasons for the increasing levels of globalisation, which are dependent on the 'character' of the country itself

Factor	Impact
Political Change	Each change of government influences trade deals, e.g. exports increased when China joined the World Trade Organisation
Transport and Communication	Advances in transport and technology have made it easier and cheaper for buyers and sellers to connect
Rise in TNCs	The increase in the number of TNCs operating globally has increased pressure on countries to engage in free-trade
Flows of Investments	Foreign direct investment (FDI) increases jobs and wealth and allows business to operate in countries where they may have faced trade barriers
Migration and Global Labour Force	The ability to move from place to place has increased the global labour force, especially in growing economies such as India and China
Sector Change and Offshoring	When a country changes its main industry sector and moves production off-shore, it speeds up the process of globalisation

These factors have led to modern globalisation
However, this has affected places differently, such as:
- Variations in poverty
- Resource availability and accessibility
- Government policies and attitudes for and against globalisation
This has resulted in some groups of people viewing it as a process that has improved other people's lives but made their own worse
Resistance movements have grown within countries that oppose ‘business as usual’ politics and support globalisation
Opposition groups, such as Occupy, do not want a return to a pre-Internet age but want the influence of global corporations and financial institutions reduced
These groups support global citizenship and use media networks to spread a global anti-capitalist message

The South China Sea Dispute highlights how nationalism can escalate geopolitical tensions and potential conflict
The South China Sea's have a wealth of resources and are an important trade route
This has led to territorial claims by multiple nations
China has made sweeping claims of sovereignty over land and waters, which have angered competing claimants like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei
China has backed its claims with island-building and naval patrols, leading to potential flashpoints
The dispute has caused diplomatic tensions, with countries like the US taking sides, further complicating the situation
In early 2023, the Philippines claimed that Chinese vessels had been shining lasers at boats to temporarily blind their crew
Other claims include dangerous manoeuvres by sailing too close, blocking the Filipinos' path and firing water cannons at vessels

Do not confuse nationalism, tribalisation and tribalisation of politics.

Nationalism is a common identity at a national level.

Tribalisation is organising a society into groups/tribes and promoting a tribal identity and customs.

Tribalisation of politics is the growth of political groups opposed to the continued rise of globalisation and westernisation.

Renewed nationalism has resulted from the growing unease in rising inequality and poor economic growth within developed countries
The more recent increase in nationalism has been partly because of the financial crash of 2008 along with rising immigration, particularly across Europe
Globalisation has brought many changes, and people are looking for security and stability in national or local features such as a shared culture, history or language
This new nationalism has many forms
- Protectionist policies, such as trade barriers
- Policies favouring domestic workers
- Anti-immigration measures
- Nationalisation of resources
A country facing economic decline and lack of opportunities comes to view globalisation and what it stands for as the root cause and resentment grow
Examples of renewed nationalism include:
- The UK's vote for Brexit
- The election of President Trump
- The EU's growth of right-wing political parties
Summit meetings of the powerful G7 and OECD groups agree that there needs to be a reduction of inequality and improvement of benefits
This would reduce political tribalism and the rise of disruptive and sometimes dangerous populist movements

Brexit, 2016

This was a significant geopolitical event and highlighted the complexities between globalisation and nationalism
The European Union (EU) represents integration and cooperation but found itself at odds with rising nationalist sentiments in the UK
Many in the UK felt their economy was tied too closely to EU regulations, leading to perceived economic disadvantages
Rising immigration from EU countries led to concerns about British cultural erosion and job competition
The EU's influence in British laws became contentious, fuelling a rise in the loss of sovereignty

Last updated: 21 May 2024

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