Geopolitical Tension (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Increased Globalisation

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

Influences for increasing globalisation depends on the country
Factors leading to increased globalisation depends on the country

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

Case Study

  • 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

Examiner Tips and Tricks

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

  • 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

Case Study

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

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