The globalisation process:

-Increasing global movement: goods, resources, people, money, information

- Increasing power and wealth of business: TNC’s.

- Increasing influence of global media networks: rapid flow of information between nations (news, cable TV)

- Decreasing distance: internet

- Changing cultures: knowledge and culture shared

- Increasing global agreements/treaties: World Trade Organisation (WTO), environmental agreements.

- Increasing humanitarian role: governments (United Nations, AusAID), non government organisations (Amnesty International)

The Death of Distance

Traditionally, the further apart people have been, the longer it has taken for information to be passed between them.

Physical distance is of little relevance today because we are all linked through an expanding global communications system. There is widespread use of mobile phones, phone cards and theinternet.

Recent developments in communications and transport technologies have transformed the way that economies operate and cultures interact. These developments have helped to break down many of the barriers that once divided the world, such as the great distances between countries and the high cost of communications.

The shrinking of time and pace, which has been brought about the development of new technologies, has created a more closely linked world, creating a global village. This has allowed people in developed countries travel more than ever before, goods and services from suppliers on the other side of the globe.

Computers become communicators:

When computers were first used in the 1950’s, they were large, occupying large spaces and very expensive. Today, they are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, powerful and relatively cheap. The development of the internet grew from the combination of advances in computer and communications technology. Today, people across the globe can use the internet to swap ideas and conduct business.

Draw two pictures to illustrate the changes in technology; such as computers or mobile phones.

Digital Divide:

The impact of information and communications technologies (ICT) on global communities is uneven. For example, North America has five per cent of the world’s population but 60% of the world’s internet users and one in two Americas are online compared with one in 250 in Africa.

Few people in developing countries can afford this technology, but some communities now provide access to telephones, computers and the internet at telecentres and tele cafes.

Also, nearly 50 countries have fewer than one telephone line per 100 people. South Asia is home to one-fifth of the world population, it is has less than one per cent of all Internet users.

Q: What do these statistics reveal about globalisation?

Construct a table and list as many advantages and disadvantages of technology in the last 20 years.

Extension: Explain why globalisation has caused inequality amongst some nations. Give examples and scenarios to justify your answer.