Political Science · Class 12 · Globalisation · Term 3

Causes of Globalisation

Investigate the key technological, economic, and political factors that have accelerated the pace of globalisation in the contemporary era.

TL;DR:Start by asking a simple question: 'How did the phone in your pocket get here?' This question immediately opens up a global story of design, materials, manufacturing, and politics, providing a perfect entry point to investigate the powerful forces that drive globalisation.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• NCERT Class 12 Political Science: Contemporary World Politics - Chapter 9

About This Topic

This topic, 'Causes of Globalisation', is central to the Class 12 Political Science curriculum, particularly within the 'Contemporary World Politics' textbook. For Indian students, it's crucial to frame this discussion not just as a global phenomenon but also in the context of India's own journey, especially the landmark New Economic Policy of 1991. The lesson should move beyond a simple definition of globalisation to a multi-dimensional analysis of its drivers. It is essential to explain that globalisation is not a singular event but a complex process accelerated by a convergence of factors.

The primary drivers can be categorised into three main areas: technological, political, and economic. Technologically, the invention of the microprocessor, the advent of the internet, and advancements in telecommunications and transportation (like containerisation) have been key in 'shrinking' the world. Politically, the end of the Cold War opened up new frontiers for capitalist expansion, and the conscious policy decisions by governments towards deregulation and liberalisation, often encouraged by institutions like the WTO, IMF, and World Bank, created the necessary framework. Economically, the rise of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) seeking new markets and cheaper labour, coupled with the global flow of capital, has been a powerful engine. The goal for the teacher is to help students see the intricate web of causality, where a political decision enables an economic flow, which is then accelerated by a new technology.

Key Questions

1. Analyse the role of technological advancements in driving globalisation.
2. Explain how political decisions, such as deregulation and liberalisation, have facilitated global integration.
3. Compare the importance of different causes of globalisation.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and explain the key technological, economic, and political factors driving globalisation.
• Analyse the role of specific innovations and policy decisions in accelerating global integration.
• Evaluate the interconnectedness of the various causes of globalisation.
• Compare the relative importance of different drivers in the contemporary era.
• Articulate a reasoned argument using evidence to support claims about the causes of globalisation.

Key Vocabulary

Globalisation	The process of rapid integration or interconnection between countries, driven by increased trade, investment, and flows of ideas, capital, and people across borders.
Liberalisation	The removal of government controls and restrictions, particularly on trade and industry, to allow for greater economic freedom and encourage private and foreign investment.
Multinational Corporation (MNC)	A large corporation that operates in several countries, with its headquarters in one country and production or service facilities in others.
Deregulation	The process of removing or reducing state rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.
World Trade Organization (WTO)	An international organisation that sets the rules for global trade, aiming to reduce tariffs and other barriers between its member countries.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Globalisation is a new phenomenon that only started with the internet in the 1990s.

What to Teach Instead

While the current phase of globalisation is unprecedented in its speed and scale, the process of global interconnectedness is ancient. Historical examples include the Silk Road trade routes and the era of colonialism. The internet and modern technology have dramatically accelerated the process, but they did not start it.

Common Misconception

Globalisation is only about the economy, like trade and MNCs.

What to Teach Instead

Globalisation is a multidimensional process. While economic aspects are very important, it also includes political (the influence of international organisations), cultural (the spread of food, music, and ideas), and technological dimensions that are all deeply interconnected.

Common Misconception

Globalisation is an automatic or natural process.

What to Teach Instead

Globalisation is not inevitable. It has been driven by specific technological innovations and, crucially, by conscious political and economic policy choices made by governments and international bodies, such as decisions to lower trade barriers, deregulate industries, and promote free markets.

Active Learning Ideas

Hexagonal Thinking

Globalisation in My Bag

Students take out a few items from their school bag or pockets (e.g., phone, pen, notebook). In small groups, they research the origin of the brand, where the item was manufactured, and where components might have come from, then map these locations on a world map to visualise their personal connection to global supply chains.

40 min·Small Groups

Hexagonal Thinking

Cause and Effect Chain

Provide students with cards listing different events or inventions (e.g., 'Invention of the Internet', 'India's 1991 Reforms', 'Formation of WTO', 'Growth of MNCs'). In pairs, students must arrange these cards in a logical sequence and draw arrows to show how one cause led to or strengthened another, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the factors.

30 min·Pairs

Hexagonal Thinking

Policy Debate: The Biggest Driver

Divide the class into three teams: Technology, Politics, and Economics. Each team prepares arguments for why their assigned factor is the most significant cause of globalisation. Hold a structured debate where each team presents its case and rebuts the others.

50 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Using a mobile phone that was designed in California, uses chips from Taiwan, is assembled in India, and runs on software developed by a global team.
• The ability to instantly transfer money to a relative in another country through a digital app, showcasing the global flow of capital.
• The spread of a viral social media trend or meme across continents within hours, demonstrating the speed of cultural and informational globalisation.
• The impact of international oil price fluctuations, decided by a cartel of countries (OPEC+), on the price of petrol at a local pump in India.
• Ordering fast food from an American chain like McDonald's, which offers a standardised global menu alongside items adapted for the local Indian palate, like the McAloo Tikki burger.

Assessment Ideas

Peer Assessment

Mind Map: Students create a mind map with 'Causes of Globalisation' at the centre and branches for 'Technological', 'Economic', and 'Political' factors, adding specific examples and details for each branch.

Peer Assessment

DBQ (Document-Based Question): Provide students with a set of short documents (e.g., a graph of falling shipping costs, a quote from a WTO agreement, an article about the internet). Students must write an essay answering a prompt about the primary causes of globalisation, citing evidence from the documents.

Quick Check

Traffic Light Reflection: Students use red, yellow, or green coloured cards or notes to indicate their level of confidence in explaining each of the three main categories of causes (political, economic, technological).

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the invention of the shipping container change globalisation?

The standardisation of shipping containers in the mid-20th century revolutionised global trade. It dramatically lowered the cost and time required to ship goods, reduced losses from damage and theft, and allowed for seamless transfer between ships, trains, and trucks. This logistical innovation was a critical, though often overlooked, technological driver of economic globalisation.

Is globalisation the same as Westernisation?

No, though they are related. Westernisation is the adoption of Western culture. While the current phase of globalisation has seen a dominant flow of Western culture, it is not a one-way street. Globalisation also facilitates the flow of culture from other parts of the world to the West, a phenomenon sometimes called 'reverse cultural flows', like the global popularity of yoga, Bollywood films, or Japanese anime.

Why do some people protest against globalisation?

Critics argue that globalisation has negative consequences. These include increased inequality between and within nations, job losses in developed countries as companies move production to lower-wage economies, the erosion of local cultures, and environmental degradation due to increased production and transport.