Resistance to Globalisation (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Rejection of Globalised Production

  • There are a range of individuals, pressure groups and governments that all have some concern over the impacts of globalisation

  • Countries have reacted in different ways, from resisting almost all change (e.g., North Korea) to being more selective over how much change is accepted, for example:

    • China prevents internet users from using BBC or Facebook and has a strict quota of 34 foreign films a year; however, Christmas is now celebrated by many Chinese people

    • France is very protective of its culture, with the government encouraging work filmed in French through subsidies and 40% of television must consist of French productions under local content law

  • There have been many movements where groups of people have taken a stand against globalisation, for example:

    • Occupy Wall Street Movement: a 59-day extended protest against economic inequality

    • Global Justice Movement promotes the equal distribution of resources and access to advances in technology

  • Others include:

    • Creating a level playing field for developing countries

    • Supporting free access to information

    • Making global civil society more accountable and transparent

    • Developing new relationships with global institutions

  • Globalised production involves 3 industrial sectors of interconnection

    • Extraction

    • Production

    • Design and marketing

  • Within these, there are hidden injustices that civil society groups actively campaign to expose to the world

  • However, it must be recognised that globalised production has many advantages and disadvantages and that views vary between stakeholders

Globalised Production

Localised Production

Advantages to producers

Producers benefit from economies-of scale by producing on a large scale

Producers can source materials from the cheapest locations

Reduced transportation costs as products are purchased and sold locally

Can operate 'just-in-time' production, which is easier as suppliers and customers are closer

Disadvantages to producers

Higher costs transporting raw materials and finished products

Changes in demand is difficult to meet

Many customers are now demanding local products

It is harder to ensure quality when production is outsourced or offshored

There can be problems sourcing local raw materials

Local workers may not have the required levels of skill or education

Restaurants and food producers will have to change their menus or products according to the seasons

Advantages to consumers

There is a wider choice of products, all year round

Mass production can lower prices

Perishable products (food) will be fresh and in season

Products should meet local customs

Should be more suited to personal tastes and traditions

Disadvantages to consumers

There is less choice and products are homogenised/standardised

Prices may actually increase if a monopoly exists

It is harder to source and know the quality of products being bought

Perishable goods may have been grown using chemicals and picked unripe so have less flavour

They may suffer from pollution caused by large-scale production and transportation

Perishable products are not available all season

Some products maybe more expensive because they are produced on a smaller scale

There may actually be less choice because there are few local companies

Advantages to local economy

Some local companies may become suppliers to global chains

Local businesses may benefit from improved levels of technology

Global companies will train staff with new skills

Improved trading relations with other regions and countries

Local employment and local taxes

There is less economic leakage

Local workers learn new skills which can be passed on to other manufacturers

Positive multiplier effect as suppliers, etc. benefit from increased custom

Disadvantages to local economy

Local producers may not be able to compete on price and be forced to close

Many managerial positions maybe filled by expatriates (foreigners)

There is often economic leakage from the area (profits repatriated)

Small local companies pay less tax

Small companies employ fewer people and buy fewer products

Local companies may be exploited for low prices

Local companies take risks and may incur debt

Anti-Immigration Movements

  • Anti-immigration movements are on the rise and is partly in response to globalisation

  • There are several factors against immigration, and these include:

    • Economic fears

    • Cultural and identity concerns

    • Security concerns

    • Environmental concerns, especially in LICs and NICs, as a result of rapid population growth

  • In the past, it has had a huge impact on both donor and receiving nations

  • In terms of the receiving countries, the consequences have generally been beneficial

  • But today, few countries support or want a large influx of outsiders, for a variety of reasons

    • Immigrants will vote for parties' centre or left and not to the right, as these tend to be against migration 

    • Immigrants will head for economic core regions and to inner city regions, which can impact on voting patterns 

    • When immigrant groups reach a certain size and standing, they begin to develop their own politicians instead of people from the host society 

    • Environmental issues are based on the notion that migrants put excessive strain on environmental systems, but others feel this is a way of curtailing immigration

  • Several countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, operate a points-based system, which admits those that have the skill set that the country’s economy currently requires

  • Other countries limit travel opportunities for their population, for example, North Korea and China

  • Globalisation and its pervasive nature have increased the sense of nationalism, with many countries attempting to reassert a national identity and sever the interconnectedness of countries

    • Brexit was a nationalist movement for the UK to leave the EU

    • Political parties refer to 'taking back control' over the flow of laws, people, goods, etc. 

    • Building of the US/Mexico border wall to reduce migration

    • In 2017, President Trump prevented migrants from 7, mainly Muslim, countries from entering the USA, although his decision was overturned by a number of US courts

Examiner Tip

When discussing the rise of anti immigration movements, remember to refer to recent elections and their results. Don't get bogged down on political views here, this is not the place to discuss politics or the rights and wrongs of political parties. Stay geographical in your responses.

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