Globalisation
Paper 4 – Globalisation
In this topic area, candidates explore sociological debates and perspectives on the impact of globalisation. The aim is to make connections between the local and the global, a ‘glocal’ approach, and to examine emerging areas of sociology, such as new forms of global crime, global inequalities and recent global migration patterns.
7 Key debates, concepts and perspectives
Candidates will explore the ideas and issues central to globalisation and will examine the impact of globalisation on identity. These connect to the key concepts of Social change and development, and Socialisation, culture and identity. Candidates will also explore the impact of globalisation on power and politics, which links to the key concepts of Power, control and resistance and Social change and development.
7.1 Perspectives on globalisation
• Key definitions and issues, including globalisation, glocalisation, global culture, and problems with defining globalisation.
• Different dimensions of globalisation including cultural, political and economic.
• Perspectives on who benefits from globalisation, including the Marxist, feminist, postmodernist, globalist, sceptic and transformationalist perspectives.
7.2 Globalisation and identity
• The impact of globalisation on identity, including ethnic revitalisation, cultural defence and hybrid identity.
• Cultural divergence versus cultural convergence/homogenisation.
• The role of Western ideology in shaping identity and the concept of Westernisation.
7.3 Globalisation, power and politics
• The spread of liberal democracy and human rights.
• Global social movements and attempts to oppose globalisation.
• Debates about the role of the nation state in tackling global social and environmental problems.
8 Contemporary issues
Candidates will explore patterns of global inequality and consider explanations for them. These ideas are central to the key concepts of Power, control and resistance and Inequality and opportunity. Through investigating the causes and consequences of migration, and by examining the nature of crime in a global context, candidates will address some wide-ranging examples of the key concept Structure and human agency.
8.1 Globalisation, poverty and inequalities
• Debates about the impact of globalisation on life chances in developing countries, in relation to education, income and health.
• The role of transnational organisations in tackling global inequalities and the extent to which they have been successful.
• Sociological explanations for global inequalities, including capitalism, colonialism, post-colonialism and patriarchy.
8.2 Globalisation and migration
• The causes of global migration, including immigration, emigration, net migration, push and pull factors, global labour patterns and tourism.
• The consequences of global migration, positive and negative, including cultural diversity, economic benefits, concerns over scarce resources and negative perceptions of migration.
• Debates about who benefits from migration.
8.3 Globalisation and crime
• Reasons for the emergence of global crimes, such as human trafficking, corporate crime and crimes against the environment.
• Explanations of who benefits from global crime, including Marxist and feminist perspectives.
• Policing and prosecuting global crime, including the benefits and challenges resulting from globalisation and new technology.
Paper 4 – Globalisation
In this topic area, candidates explore sociological debates and perspectives on the impact of globalisation. The aim is to make connections between the local and the global, a ‘glocal’ approach, and to examine emerging areas of sociology, such as new forms of global crime, global inequalities and recent global migration patterns.
7 Key debates, concepts and perspectives
Candidates will explore the ideas and issues central to globalisation and will examine the impact of globalisation on identity. These connect to the key concepts of Social change and development, and Socialisation, culture and identity. Candidates will also explore the impact of globalisation on power and politics, which links to the key concepts of Power, control and resistance and Social change and development.
7.1 Perspectives on globalisation
• Key definitions and issues, including globalisation, glocalisation, global culture, and problems with defining globalisation.
• Different dimensions of globalisation including cultural, political and economic.
• Perspectives on who benefits from globalisation, including the Marxist, feminist, postmodernist, globalist, sceptic and transformationalist perspectives.
7.2 Globalisation and identity
• The impact of globalisation on identity, including ethnic revitalisation, cultural defence and hybrid identity.
• Cultural divergence versus cultural convergence/homogenisation.
• The role of Western ideology in shaping identity and the concept of Westernisation.
7.3 Globalisation, power and politics
• The spread of liberal democracy and human rights.
• Global social movements and attempts to oppose globalisation.
• Debates about the role of the nation state in tackling global social and environmental problems.
8 Contemporary issues
Candidates will explore patterns of global inequality and consider explanations for them. These ideas are central to the key concepts of Power, control and resistance and Inequality and opportunity. Through investigating the causes and consequences of migration, and by examining the nature of crime in a global context, candidates will address some wide-ranging examples of the key concept Structure and human agency.
8.1 Globalisation, poverty and inequalities
• Debates about the impact of globalisation on life chances in developing countries, in relation to education, income and health.
• The role of transnational organisations in tackling global inequalities and the extent to which they have been successful.
• Sociological explanations for global inequalities, including capitalism, colonialism, post-colonialism and patriarchy.
8.2 Globalisation and migration
• The causes of global migration, including immigration, emigration, net migration, push and pull factors, global labour patterns and tourism.
• The consequences of global migration, positive and negative, including cultural diversity, economic benefits, concerns over scarce resources and negative perceptions of migration.
• Debates about who benefits from migration.
8.3 Globalisation and crime
• Reasons for the emergence of global crimes, such as human trafficking, corporate crime and crimes against the environment.
• Explanations of who benefits from global crime, including Marxist and feminist perspectives.
• Policing and prosecuting global crime, including the benefits and challenges resulting from globalisation and new technology.