Political Science · Class 12

Active learning ideas

India and Globalisation

This topic challenges students to look beyond the surface of globalisation and explore the powerful voices of dissent and resistance it has generated worldwide. We will investigate why many people argue that globalisation creates more problems than it solves.

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

• 25–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Formal Debate
• 45 min · Small Groups

Formal Debate: Davos vs. Porto Alegre

Divide the class into two factions, one representing the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the other the World Social Forum (WSF). Students research their assigned forum's goals and perspectives and conduct a formal debate on a topic like 'Is corporate-led globalisation the best path to development?'.

Analyse the reasons for India adopting policies of economic liberalisation in 1991.

Facilitation Tip

Provide students with short excerpts from the WEF's mission statement and the WSF's Charter of Principles to kickstart their research.

What to look for

Use an exit ticket where students must write down one argument against globalisation from a left-wing perspective and one from a right-wing perspective.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Case Study Analysis
• 25 min · Pairs

Protest Poster Analysis

Show students a collection of images of posters and banners from various anti-globalisation protests around the world. In pairs, students analyse the symbols, slogans, and key messages to identify the core criticisms being levelled against globalisation.

Explain the positive and negative impacts of globalisation on the Indian economy.

Facilitation Tip

Ask guiding questions like 'Who is the target of this protest?' and 'What alternative is being suggested, if any?'.

What to look for

Assign an essay or a short research project comparing the ideologies and goals of the World Economic Forum and the World Social Forum, using specific examples.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Case Study Analysis
• 30 min · Individual

Case Study Analysis: The Battle in Seattle

Students read a short case study or watch a brief documentary clip about the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle. They then map out the different groups involved (labour unions, environmentalists, students) and their respective grievances.

Evaluate the cultural changes in India that can be attributed to globalisation.

Facilitation Tip

Use a mind map on the board to collectively chart the diverse coalition that made up the Seattle protests.

What to look for

Students complete a K-W-L (Know, Want to Know, Learned) chart about the anti-globalisation movement before and after the lesson to reflect on their learning.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by showing contrasting images: the polished interiors of the WEF at Davos versus the vibrant street marches of the WSF. Use a T-chart to help students organise the critiques of globalisation into categories like economic, political, and cultural. Encourage them to connect these global critiques to local Indian examples, such as the impact of MNCs on local businesses or the environment.

By the end of this module, students will be able to critically evaluate the arguments against neoliberal globalisation and compare different visions for the world's future, as represented by forums like the WEF and WSF.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Anti-globalisation means being against all international trade and cultural exchange.

  This is incorrect. The movement is largely a critique of 'neoliberal globalisation', which prioritises corporate interests. Many activists prefer the term 'alter-globalisation', advocating for a different model of global integration based on human rights, environmental sustainability, and fair trade.

• Globalisation is a new phenomenon that started in the 1990s.

  While the pace and form of globalisation accelerated in the 1990s, processes of global interconnectedness, like the ancient Silk Route or the colonial-era trade networks, have existed for centuries. The current phase is distinct due to its speed, scale, and the dominance of neoliberal policies.

• The World Social Forum is just a protest group with no real plan.

  The WSF is not a protest but an open 'space' or forum for dialogue and debate among civil society groups, activists, and intellectuals. Its purpose is to formulate and share alternative solutions to global problems, under the slogan 'Another World Is Possible'.

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Methods used in this brief

• Formal Debate
• Case Study Analysis