GUIDING QUESTION: How does global power and influence vary spatially?

TASK 1

1. Write the definition in the middle of an A3 paper.

2. Highlight parts and draw pictures around the text to illustrate each of the points.

3. Watch the video below and conduct internet research into the concept of globalisation.

4. Add information, statistics, examples etc to your mind map.

5. How could you categorise the information on your mind map? Which categories would you use?

TASK 2 - Watch the video and add the benefits and costs of globalisation to your paper.

MEASURING GLOBALIsATION

How could you measure and provide data for the following aspects of globalisation? 

If you had to give a higher weighting to these figures, which would you say are more important as measurements of globalisation?

TASK 3: In groups, brainstorm ways that the above flows could be measured. Write in your notes and share with the class.

KOF INDEX OF GLOBALIsATION

TASK 4: Make detailed notes on the presentation above.

TASK 5: CALCULATING THE KOF INDEX

1. Download and read the document

2. Highlight information relating to how the KOF index is calculated

3. In three groups, make a mind map explaining how the KOF index measures globalisation

TASK 6: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DIFFERENCES IN GLOBALISATION

1. Explore the KOF page below and use the graph function to compare two countries of your choice

2. Describe how the level of globalisation changed over time (refer to data and statistics in your answer)

3. Suggest reasons for the changes you observe, based on what you know about the countries

SPATIAL PATTERNS

TASK 7: Draw a simple map to show the spatial distribution of globalised countries. Describe the distribution you observe in a short paragraph.

AT KEARNEY INDEX

A composite index (using a mix of variables) created by A.T. Kearney Inc. and Foreign Policy Magazine, measuring the evolution of interconnectedness compared to the base year 1998. The A.T. Kearney Index ranked 72 countries in 2007, combining 12 indicators grouped into 4 categories:

• Economic integration (e.g. foreign trade)

• Personal contact (e.g. international phone calls)

• Technological connectivity (e.g. internet users)

• Political engagement (e.g. participation in international treaties)

TASK 8: Make notes on the AT Kearney index and describe how it is different from the KOF index

EXAM PRACTICE

Use the essay planner to write a plan for the following question. Include details, facts and examples:

Describe how one prominent index measures global interaction. (10 marks)

According to you, which are the top 5 most powerful countries in the world and why?

TASK ONE: DEFINITIONS

A superpower is a state with a dominant position characterised by its extensive ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale. This is done through the combined means of economic, military, technological, political and cultural strength as well as diplomatic and soft power influence. (Source)

Hegemony, the dominance of one group over another, often supported by legitimating norms and ideas. The term hegemony is today often used as shorthand to describe the relatively dominant position of a particular set of ideas and their associated tendency to become commonsensical and intuitive, thereby inhibiting the dissemination or even the articulation of alternative ideas.

1. Define superpower and hegemony

2. Read this article and add some background information to help contextualise the definition of a superpower.

TASK TWO: HOW IS A NATION’S POWER MEASURED?

TASK THREE: UNITED STATES VS CHINA AS TWO SUPERPOWERS

1. Watch the two videos and read the two articles.

2. Make notes on the different aspects of global power for each country (economic, military and cultural)

The United States

The United States is considered by some as the world’s only superpower. However, this position is increasingly under question.

China

China’s rapid economic growth and the strengthening of military and growing cultural influence have led to many proposing that China is the world’s next superpower.

TASK FOUR: MULTIPLE GLOBAL SUPERPOWERS

An alternative hypothesis is that globalisation has led to multiple powerful nations, and that the idea of a single “superpower” is not appropriate to the modern era. If we accept this hypothesis, multilateralism (cooperation between nations) is an increasingly important feature of international relations.

1. Read and summarise the main arguments made in this article.

2. In what ways is multilateralism important in a globalised world of superpowers?

PLENARY

To what extent are the USA and China two world superpowers? Add your ideas on a post-it note, USA on the left, China on the right, points applying to both in the middle.

G7/8, G20 & OECD

The G7/8, G20, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are all international organisations that bring together governments, scholars, and other experts to discuss and coordinate policy on a range of issues including economics, security, and the environment.

The G7/8 is a forum for the governments of the seven largest advanced economies in the world, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G20 is a larger group that includes the G7 countries as well as developing and emerging economies, such as China, India, Brazil, and Russia.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation that works to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. It is made up of 37 member countries, most of which are high-income countries in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) influence over energy policies

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a group of oil-producing countries that aims to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries. It was founded in 1960 and currently has 15 member countries, including Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. OPEC plays a significant role in the global oil market and has the ability to influence energy policies around the world.

global lending institutions - International Monetary Fund (IMF) and New Development Bank (NDB)

There are also several global lending institutions that play important roles in the global economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization that works to promote global monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and economic growth. It provides financial assistance to member countries facing economic crises or in need of financial assistance to promote growth. The New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member countries.

POWERFUL ORGANISATIONS PRESENTATIONS

1. Create a 5 minute presentation on one of the powerful organisations/groups

   • G7/G8

   • G20

   • OECD

   • OPEC

   • World Bank

   • International Monetary Fund (IMF)

   • BRICS

   • New Development Bank

   • UN

   • WTO

2. Include:

   • A short description/history of organisation

   • Its mission/aims/goals and how these influence the world

   • The strengths and successes of the organisation

   • The weaknesses and criticisms of the organisation

   • Quality images to support your text

   • Bibliography

EXAM QUESTION

Using examples, explain how powerful organisations influence global interactions. (12 marks)

Consider how powerful organisations infuence the following, at a range of scales (local/regional/global):

• economy

• politics

• culture