Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7 — Globalisation
Welcome to HSLC Guru. This page provides complete English-medium ASSEB (Assam State Board) Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7 “Globalisation” question answers, NCERT textbook solutions, short and long answer questions, MCQs, key terms and a clear summary in English and Assamese for HS Final Year exam preparation.
About the Chapter
Chapter 7 of the Class 12 Contemporary World Politics textbook deals with Globalisation — the worldwide flow of ideas, capital, commodities and people that has dramatically reshaped relations between states, markets and societies since the 1980s. The chapter explains the meaning and causes of globalisation, examines its political, economic and cultural consequences, looks at how India has both contributed to and been affected by globalisation (including the 1991 economic reforms), and surveys important global resistance movements such as the World Social Forum.
Summary
Meaning: Globalisation is a multi-dimensional concept that refers to the flow of ideas, capital, commodities and people across the globe, leading to greater interconnection and interdependence among countries. It is not purely an economic phenomenon — it has political, cultural and technological dimensions as well.
Causes: The most important cause of contemporary globalisation is the revolution in technology, especially in communication and information technology — telegraph, telephone, internet, microchip and satellite communication have made worldwide flows possible at unprecedented speed. The expansion of capitalism, the policies of free trade, liberalisation, privatisation and the role of multinational corporations (MNCs) have also accelerated globalisation.
Political consequences: Globalisation has reduced the capacity of governments to do what they want, leading to what scholars call the “shrinking” of the welfare state. At the same time, in some respects, state capacity has been enhanced because of better technology for collecting information and enforcing decisions. Sovereignty of nation-states has been challenged but not eliminated.
Economic consequences: Greater economic flows among countries have produced both benefits and harm. There is a much wider movement of commodities, capital, people and ideas. While MNCs and the rich have benefited, the poorest sections in many countries have suffered. Critics argue that economic globalisation produces a “race to the bottom” and increases inequality; supporters argue it raises productivity and prosperity.
Cultural consequences: Globalisation has led to fears of cultural homogenisation — the imposition of Western, especially American, culture on the rest of the world (e.g., burgers, blue jeans). However, it has also produced cultural heterogenisation, where global influences mix with local cultures to create new hybrid forms.
India and globalisation: Colonial rule integrated India into the world economy as a raw-material supplier. After independence India followed a “protectionist” policy. Facing a balance-of-payments crisis in 1991, India launched economic reforms — Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG) — opening up the economy to foreign trade and investment. India today is both a beneficiary and a contributor to globalisation through IT services, software exports and a growing middle class.
Resistance to globalisation: Anti-globalisation movements have arisen worldwide. The World Social Forum (WSF), formed in 2001 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, brings together human rights activists, environmentalists, labour and women’s movements opposed to neo-liberal globalisation under the slogan “Another World is Possible”. In India, the Indian Social Forum and various left-wing parties, farmers’ organisations and the National Alliance of People’s Movements have led similar protests. The Seattle Protests of 1999 against the WTO are a landmark event of global resistance.
সাৰাংশ (Assamese Summary)
বিশ্বায়ন হৈছে বিশ্বজুৰি ধাৰণা, পুঁজি, পণ্য আৰু মানুহৰ প্ৰবাহ, যাৰ ফলত দেশসমূহৰ মাজত পাৰস্পৰিক নিৰ্ভৰশীলতা বৃদ্ধি পাইছে। যোগাযোগ আৰু তথ্য প্ৰযুক্তিৰ বিপ্লৱ আৰু পুঁজিবাদৰ বিস্তাৰ ইয়াৰ মুখ্য কাৰণ। বিশ্বায়নৰ ৰাজনৈতিক প্ৰভাৱ — কল্যাণমূলক ৰাষ্ট্ৰৰ ক্ষমতা হ্ৰাস; অৰ্থনৈতিক প্ৰভাৱ — মুক্ত বাণিজ্য আৰু MNCৰ ভূমিকা বৃদ্ধি, কিন্তু অসমতাও বৃদ্ধি; সাংস্কৃতিক প্ৰভাৱ — সাংস্কৃতিক একৰূপতাৰ ভয় কিন্তু লগতে সংকৰ সংস্কৃতিৰ জন্ম। ভাৰতে ১৯৯১ চনত উদাৰীকৰণ-ব্যক্তিগতকৰণ-বিশ্বায়ন (LPG) সংস্কাৰ আৰম্ভ কৰিছিল। বিশ্ব সামাজিক মঞ্চ (WSF, ২০০১) আৰু ভাৰতীয় সামাজিক মঞ্চ বিশ্বায়নৰ বিৰোধী আন্দোলনৰ প্ৰতীক।
NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
Q1. Which of the following statements about globalisation is correct?
(a) Globalisation is purely an economic phenomenon.
(b) Globalisation is the same thing as Westernisation.
(c) Globalisation is a multi-dimensional phenomenon.
(d) Globalisation is essentially confined to the developed world.
Answer: (c) Globalisation is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. It involves political, economic, cultural and technological dimensions and affects all parts of the world, although unevenly.
Q2. Which of the following statements is wrong about the impact of globalisation?
(a) Globalisation has resulted in the erosion of state capacity.
(b) Greater economic interdependence among countries.
(c) Cultural homogenisation.
(d) Globalisation invariably benefits every country.
Answer: (d) Globalisation invariably benefits every country — this statement is wrong. Globalisation benefits some countries and groups more than others, and may harm the poor and the weak.
Q3. What do you mean by globalisation? Discuss in brief the various manifestations of globalisation. Give examples from the contemporary times.
Answer: Globalisation refers to the worldwide flow of ideas, capital, commodities and people, leading to greater interconnectedness and interdependence among countries. It is a multi-dimensional process. Its main manifestations are:
- Political: the welfare state has retreated and many functions are now performed by markets and private bodies; multilateral organisations like the WTO play a larger role.
- Economic: free flow of capital and goods, growth of MNCs, foreign investment in developing economies — for example, IT services exported from India.
- Cultural: spread of food, clothing, music and films across borders — McDonald’s, Hollywood, K-pop are examples.
- Technological: the internet, mobile phones and satellite TV have shrunk distances and time.
Q4. Globalisation is not simply an economic phenomenon. Explain.
Answer: Although the economic dimension of globalisation is widely discussed, globalisation is much more than an economic phenomenon. It is a multi-dimensional process that includes political consequences (the changing role of the state), cultural consequences (the rise of global culture and the threat to local cultures), and technological consequences (faster communication and information sharing). Migration of people, exchange of ideas, sports and entertainment, environmental cooperation and even global pandemics show that globalisation is also social, political, cultural and ecological.
Q5. What is meant by world-wide interconnectedness? What are its components?
Answer: Worldwide interconnectedness means that events in one part of the world increasingly influence and are influenced by events in other parts. Its main components are:
- Genuine cultural exchange and mixing
- Greater migration of people
- Mobility of capital across borders
- Movement of commodities and goods
- Spread of ideas and ideologies
- Faster, cheaper and global communication technology
Q6. What are the causes of globalisation?
Answer: Important causes of globalisation are: (i) revolution in technology — especially communication and information technology, including the telegraph, telephone, microchip, satellite, computer and internet; (ii) the expansion of capitalism and the global spread of free-market economies; (iii) the role of MNCs and international financial institutions; (iv) liberalisation of trade and capital markets; (v) end of the Cold War which removed political barriers to global trade.
Q7. What has been the impact of globalisation? Has the impact been the same in all countries and in all parts of society?
Answer: The impact of globalisation has been uneven. It has produced new opportunities for some — IT professionals in India, exporters in China — while pushing many small farmers, factory workers and indigenous communities into poverty. Some governments have lost the capacity to protect the poor; others have used globalisation to grow rapidly. Cultural impact has also been mixed: some welcome global culture, others see it as a threat. Therefore, the effects of globalisation differ widely across countries, regions, classes and communities.
Q8. What is meant by economic globalisation?
Answer: Economic globalisation refers to greater economic flows between countries — flows of capital, commodities, technology, people and ideas. It involves: free trade across borders, easy movement of financial capital, growth of MNCs, integration of national economies into a single global market and the role of institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO. India’s 1991 reforms — opening to foreign investment, reducing tariffs, allowing foreign companies — are examples of participation in economic globalisation.
Q9. Differentiate between economic, political and cultural manifestations of globalisation.
Answer: Economic manifestation refers to the global flow of capital, goods and labour, the role of MNCs, FDI and global trade rules. Political manifestation refers to the changing role of the state, weakening of welfare functions and the rise of multilateral organisations. Cultural manifestation refers to the global spread of food, dress, language, music, films and lifestyles, and the resulting fear of cultural homogenisation but also the emergence of hybrid cultures.
Q10. Do you think that globalisation is leading to a homogenisation of culture? Is the same as Westernisation?
Answer: Globalisation does involve cultural homogenisation in some respects — for example, the worldwide spread of fast food, Hollywood films and English language. Many critics see this as Westernisation or even Americanisation. However, it is not only a one-way process. Cultures across the world also influence each other and create new hybrid forms — yoga, Indian cuisine and K-pop have become global. Therefore, globalisation produces both homogenisation and heterogenisation, and is not fully the same as Westernisation.
Q11. You think that resistance to globalisation in India would come from differing forces and in different forms. What are these forces? In what way are they expressing their resistance to globalisation?
Answer: Resistance to globalisation in India comes from many quarters: (i) the political left — communist parties and the trade unions linked to them oppose privatisation and FDI; (ii) the political right — some groups oppose globalisation on cultural grounds, fearing erosion of Indian values; (iii) farmers’ movements oppose patenting of seeds and trade liberalisation; (iv) social movements such as the Indian Social Forum, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and Narmada Bachao Andolan oppose neo-liberal projects. Forms of expression include strikes, dharnas, court cases, public demonstrations, anti-WTO protests and the formation of forums like the Indian Social Forum.
Short Answer Questions
Q1. Define globalisation.
Answer: Globalisation is the worldwide flow of ideas, capital, commodities and people leading to interconnection and interdependence among countries.
Q2. Mention any two causes of globalisation.
Answer: (i) Revolution in communication and information technology; (ii) Expansion of capitalism and free-market policies.
Q3. What is meant by ‘flow’ in globalisation?
Answer: ‘Flow’ refers to the movement of ideas, capital, commodities and people across countries — for example, internet ideas, foreign investment, imported goods and migrant workers.
Q4. What do you mean by cultural homogenisation?
Answer: Cultural homogenisation means the rise of a uniform global culture, often Western or American, that overshadows local cultures — for example, the global popularity of burgers, blue jeans and Hollywood films.
Q5. What is cultural heterogenisation?
Answer: Cultural heterogenisation means that globalisation also produces new diversity by mixing global and local elements, leading to hybrid cultures rather than a single uniform culture.
Q6. What is the World Social Forum?
Answer: The World Social Forum (WSF) is a global platform formed in 2001 at Porto Alegre, Brazil, that brings together human rights activists, environmentalists, labour groups and women’s organisations opposed to neo-liberal globalisation. Its slogan is “Another World is Possible”.
Q7. What was the Seattle Protest of 1999?
Answer: The Seattle Protest of 1999 was a massive demonstration in Seattle, USA, against the WTO meeting. It marked a global rise of anti-globalisation protests by environmentalists, labour unions and NGOs.
Q8. What were the LPG reforms in India?
Answer: LPG stands for Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation — the package of economic reforms launched by the Indian government in 1991 to open up the economy, reduce state control of industry and integrate India into the world economy.
Q9. Mention any two political consequences of globalisation.
Answer: (i) Erosion of the welfare state’s capacity to protect citizens; (ii) Reduced economic sovereignty of nation-states due to global financial markets and MNCs.
Q10. Mention any two economic consequences of globalisation.
Answer: (i) Free flow of capital and goods across borders; (ii) Greater inequality between rich and poor within and between countries.
Q11. What is the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)?
Answer: NAPM is an Indian umbrella organisation of various grassroots social movements that campaigns against neo-liberal economic globalisation, displacement of communities and environmental destruction.
Q12. Why is technology considered the most important cause of globalisation?
Answer: Technology — especially communication and transport — has dramatically reduced the cost and time of moving goods, people, capital and information across the world, enabling the integration that defines globalisation.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Discuss the political consequences of globalisation.
Answer: The political consequences of globalisation are deep and contested. First, the capacity of the state to do what it does best has been reduced — the welfare state has retreated, with the market replacing many state functions in health, education and infrastructure. Second, MNCs and global financial institutions like the IMF, WTO and World Bank now influence national policy. Third, however, state capacity has not vanished; in some areas it has actually grown — modern technology helps states gather information and enforce laws more effectively, and states remain the primary source of legitimacy and security. Fourth, globalisation has also empowered new political actors — civil society, NGOs and global advocacy networks. Therefore, globalisation has both weakened and reshaped the state rather than abolishing it.
Q2. Explain the economic consequences of globalisation.
Answer: Economic globalisation has produced both gains and losses. On the positive side, free flow of capital, goods and technology has raised productivity, expanded consumer choice, allowed countries like India and China to grow rapidly, and integrated the global economy through MNCs and global value chains. The IT and outsourcing booms in India are direct results. On the negative side, economic globalisation increases inequality between countries and within societies. Small farmers, traditional industries and unorganised labour in developing countries often suffer from cheap imports and the withdrawal of state subsidies. Critics speak of a “race to the bottom” — countries lower wages, taxes and labour standards to attract investment. Therefore, economic globalisation requires active state policy to spread its benefits and protect the vulnerable.
Q3. Critically examine the cultural consequences of globalisation.
Answer: The cultural consequences of globalisation are both negative and positive. The negative side is cultural homogenisation — fast food, English language, Hollywood films, denim jeans and consumerist lifestyles spreading worldwide and threatening local food, language, art and identities. Many critics call this Americanisation. The positive side is cultural heterogenisation — global influences mix with local cultures producing new hybrid forms. For example, blue jeans are worn with traditional kurta in India; pizza, Chinese food, sushi and Indian curry have all become global. Cultures borrow from each other constantly, and globalisation enables this exchange. The challenge is to keep local cultures vibrant while engaging with the global.
Q4. Discuss the impact of globalisation on India and India’s response.
Answer: Colonial India was integrated into the world economy as a supplier of raw materials and a market for British manufactures. After independence, India followed an inward-looking, protectionist economic policy. Faced with a serious balance-of-payments crisis in 1991, India launched LPG reforms — Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation — opening the economy to foreign investment, reducing tariffs and licences, and inviting MNCs. Since then India has emerged as a major global economy, especially in IT, pharmaceuticals and services. However, agriculture, small industries and the unorganised sector have faced challenges. India has responded by gradual liberalisation rather than wholesale opening, by seeking better global trade terms (e.g. WTO negotiations), by using social welfare schemes such as MGNREGA, and by encouraging exports while protecting strategic sectors.
Q5. Discuss the resistance to globalisation in the world and in India.
Answer: Resistance to globalisation has emerged worldwide. The Seattle Protest of 1999 against the WTO was a turning point. The World Social Forum (WSF), founded in 2001 in Porto Alegre, has since become the leading global platform of anti-globalisation activism, bringing together NGOs, environmental groups, women’s groups, indigenous peoples and trade unions. In India, resistance comes from both the political left (CPI, CPI(M), trade unions opposed to privatisation) and the right (groups concerned about cultural Westernisation), as well as from social movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan, NAPM, Indian Social Forum and farmer organisations opposed to GM crops and seed patents. Forms of resistance include strikes, dharnas, marches, court cases, alternative media campaigns and global solidarity meetings.
Q6. “Globalisation is a multi-dimensional phenomenon.” Justify the statement.
Answer: Globalisation is multi-dimensional because it operates simultaneously across many spheres. Politically, it has reshaped the role of the state and reduced welfare functions. Economically, it has integrated national markets through MNCs, FDI and global trade rules. Culturally, it has spread food, films, fashion and language across the world while producing both homogenisation and hybridisation. Technologically, it has connected the world through the internet, satellite TV and mobile phones. Socially, it has increased migration and exchange of ideas. Environmentally, it has globalised problems like climate change. Therefore, reducing globalisation to economics alone misses much of what globalisation actually is.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Globalisation is essentially a:
(a) one-dimensional phenomenon (b) two-dimensional phenomenon (c) multi-dimensional phenomenon (d) cultural phenomenon only
Answer: (c) multi-dimensional phenomenon
2. The most important cause of globalisation is:
(a) War (b) Religion (c) Technology (d) Geography
Answer: (c) Technology
3. The World Social Forum was first held at:
(a) Seattle (b) Mumbai (c) Porto Alegre (d) Geneva
Answer: (c) Porto Alegre
4. The first World Social Forum was held in:
(a) 1999 (b) 2000 (c) 2001 (d) 2003
Answer: (c) 2001
5. The slogan of the World Social Forum is:
(a) “Workers of the World, Unite!” (b) “Another World is Possible” (c) “Globalise the Resistance” (d) “End Capitalism Now”
Answer: (b) “Another World is Possible”
6. The ‘Seattle Protest’ was held in:
(a) 1995 (b) 1997 (c) 1999 (d) 2001
Answer: (c) 1999
7. The Seattle Protest was directed against:
(a) UN (b) WTO (c) NATO (d) IMF
Answer: (b) WTO
8. India launched its New Economic Policy in:
(a) 1985 (b) 1990 (c) 1991 (d) 1995
Answer: (c) 1991
9. LPG stands for:
(a) Liquid Petroleum Gas (b) Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation (c) Labour, Productivity, Growth (d) None of these
Answer: (b) Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation
10. Cultural homogenisation refers to:
(a) Mixing of cultures (b) Rise of a uniform global culture (c) Decline of all cultures (d) Revival of folk culture
Answer: (b) Rise of a uniform global culture
11. Cultural heterogenisation means:
(a) Single global culture (b) Mixing of global and local cultures (c) Total isolation (d) Westernisation
Answer: (b) Mixing of global and local cultures
12. Which of the following is NOT a feature of globalisation?
(a) Free flow of capital (b) Free flow of ideas (c) Strict national borders (d) Free flow of commodities
Answer: (c) Strict national borders
13. Which institution is most associated with economic globalisation?
(a) UNESCO (b) WTO (c) UNICEF (d) WHO
Answer: (b) WTO
14. The ‘race to the bottom’ refers to:
(a) Sports event (b) Lowering wages and standards to attract investment (c) Falling stock market (d) Global poverty
Answer: (b) Lowering wages and standards to attract investment
15. Globalisation has weakened the:
(a) Welfare state (b) Family system (c) Religion (d) Language
Answer: (a) Welfare state
16. The Indian Social Forum was modelled on the:
(a) WTO (b) World Social Forum (c) UN (d) NATO
Answer: (b) World Social Forum
17. Narmada Bachao Andolan opposed:
(a) Big dam projects (b) Tax reforms (c) Education policy (d) Foreign films
Answer: (a) Big dam projects
18. A multi-national corporation (MNC) operates:
(a) Only in one country (b) In many countries simultaneously (c) Only in developed countries (d) Only in trade fairs
Answer: (b) In many countries simultaneously
19. Which is an example of cultural globalisation?
(a) Internet (b) IMF (c) McDonald’s worldwide (d) WTO
Answer: (c) McDonald’s worldwide
20. The 1991 economic reforms were launched by:
(a) Indira Gandhi (b) Rajiv Gandhi (c) P.V. Narasimha Rao government (d) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: (c) P.V. Narasimha Rao government
21. The finance minister who introduced the 1991 reforms was:
(a) Yashwant Sinha (b) Manmohan Singh (c) P. Chidambaram (d) Pranab Mukherjee
Answer: (b) Manmohan Singh
22. Globalisation has been most strongly resisted by:
(a) Multinational companies (b) Trade unions and farmers’ groups (c) Banks (d) Stock exchanges
Answer: (b) Trade unions and farmers’ groups
23. An example of cultural heterogenisation is:
(a) Wearing jeans with kurta (b) Eating only Western food (c) Watching only Hollywood films (d) Speaking only English
Answer: (a) Wearing jeans with kurta
24. ‘NWSF’ refers to:
(a) National Women’s Social Forum (b) New World Social Forum (c) National Working Group on Forum (d) North-West Social Forum
Answer: (b) New World Social Forum (also widely cited as the new initiatives within WSF)
25. Globalisation in the contemporary sense gained momentum after:
(a) World War I (b) World War II (c) End of the Cold War (1991) (d) Industrial Revolution
Answer: (c) End of the Cold War (1991)
Pros and Cons of Globalisation
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
|---|---|
| Faster economic growth and rising incomes in many countries | Rising inequality within and between countries |
| Greater access to global goods, services and technology | Decline of small farmers, artisans and traditional industries |
| Free flow of ideas, knowledge and innovation | Cultural homogenisation; threat to local cultures and languages |
| Better employment opportunities, especially in IT and services | Job losses in protected sectors; insecure contractual work |
| Cheaper consumer goods and global brands | Environmental degradation due to global production and consumption |
| Greater migration opportunities and people-to-people contact | Brain drain from developing to developed countries |
| Strengthening of global cooperation on issues like climate and health | Reduced welfare-state capacity to protect the poor |
| Hybrid cultures and broader worldviews | “Race to the bottom” — lowering wages, taxes and labour standards |
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Globalisation | Worldwide flow of ideas, capital, commodities and people producing interconnection among countries. |
| Liberalisation | Reducing government control over the economy through fewer licences, lower tariffs and deregulation. |
| Privatisation | Transfer of ownership or management of state enterprises to the private sector. |
| LPG Reforms | India’s 1991 economic reforms — Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation. |
| MNC (Multinational Corporation) | A company with operations in many countries. |
| WTO | World Trade Organisation, established 1995, that regulates international trade. |
| IMF | International Monetary Fund — global financial institution that lends to countries in crisis. |
| Welfare State | A state that takes major responsibility for citizens’ health, education, employment and social security. |
| Cultural Homogenisation | Rise of a uniform global culture that displaces local cultures. |
| Cultural Heterogenisation | Mixing of global and local cultural elements producing new hybrid forms. |
| World Social Forum (WSF) | Global anti-globalisation platform founded in 2001 at Porto Alegre. |
| Indian Social Forum | Indian wing of WSF that hosts national-level anti-globalisation gatherings. |
| NAPM | National Alliance of People’s Movements — Indian umbrella body of grassroots social movements. |
| Seattle Protest (1999) | Mass protest against the WTO Ministerial Conference; landmark of global anti-globalisation activism. |
| Race to the Bottom | Competitive lowering of wages, taxes and standards by countries to attract foreign investment. |
| Protectionism | Economic policy of restricting imports to protect domestic industries — India’s pre-1991 stance. |