Democratic Deficit: This term describes the perceived lack of democratic accountability in international organizations like the WTO, IMF, or World Bank. Decisions affecting millions are made by unelected officials behind closed doors.
Loss of National Sovereignty: As global rules and treaties take precedence, individual nation-states lose the ability to control their own economic and social policies. This creates a tension between global obligations and domestic democratic mandates.
Pollution Havens: This concept suggests that TNCs move their high-pollution manufacturing operations to countries with lax environmental regulations. This results in a global shift of environmental degradation to the developing world.
Externalities of Trade: Globalisation relies on long-distance supply chains that generate significant carbon emissions. Critics argue that the environmental cost of transporting goods across the globe is rarely factored into the market price.
| Concept | Focus | Primary Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Globalisation | Total opposition | Rejection of global integration in favor of localism. |
| Alter-Globalisation | Reformist | Supporting global cooperation but demanding social justice. |
| Protectionism | Economic | Using tariffs and quotas to shield domestic industries. |
Identify the Dimension: When asked to critique globalisation, always categorize your answer into Economic, Cultural, Political, or Environmental impacts to ensure breadth.
Use Specific Terminology: Instead of saying 'countries get poorer,' use terms like Dependency Theory or Structural Adjustment Programs to demonstrate academic depth.
The 'Winners and Losers' Framework: Always evaluate who benefits from a specific global trend (e.g., TNCs, wealthy consumers) and who bears the cost (e.g., local workers, the environment).
Common Mistake: Do not confuse 'Globalisation' with 'Westernization.' While they overlap, globalisation is a process of integration, while Westernization is a specific cultural direction of that process.
