Globalisation and Social Change
Short Questions with answers
1. What does globalisation mean?
Answer : Growing connections between countries worldwide.
2. When did India remove all import restrictions?
Answer : On April 1, 2001.
3. What is liberalisation?
Answer : Opening up the economy to global markets.
4. What does WTO stand for?
Answer : World Trade Organisation.
5. What is an example of a transnational corporation?
Answer : Coca-Cola.
6. What is the digital divide?
Answer : Unequal access to digital technology.
7. Which revolution supports the electronic economy?
Answer : The communication revolution.
8. How did globalisation affect farmers?
Answer : Many lost jobs due to cheaper imports.
9. What is glocalisation?
Answer : Mixing global and local cultures.
10. What is the culture of consumption?
Answer : Focus on buying and spending.
11. What does ‘kupamanduka’ refer to?
Answer : A frog in a well, symbolising isolation.
12. What did the Silk Route connect?
Answer : India to China, Persia, Egypt, and Rome.
13. What did Panini contribute to?
Answer : Sanskrit grammar and phonetics.
14. Which sector grew rapidly due to globalisation?
Answer : The IT sector.
15. What is a PCO?
Answer : Public Call Office.
16. What is corporate culture?
Answer : Company traditions to boost productivity.
17. Which country is India’s financial capital?
Answer : Mumbai.
18. Which field uses knowledge economy?
Answer : Technology and services.
19. What is the European Union?
Answer : A regional political and economic union.
20. Who are ragpickers?
Answer : Workers who collect and recycle waste.
21. What is an INGO?
Answer : International Non-Governmental Organisation.
22. What is Nike known for?
Answer : A transnational shoe corporation.
23. Why did silk spinners lose jobs?
Answer : Due to cheaper imported silk yarn.
24. What does outsourcing mean?
Answer : Sending jobs to other countries.
25. What is an example of fusion music?
Answer : Bhangra pop.
26. What is cultural homogenisation?
Answer : All cultures becoming similar.
27. What happened to traditional weavers?
Answer : They faced competition from power looms.
28. How does globalisation affect the poor?
Answer : It often worsens their condition.
29. What is digital India?
Answer : A programme to connect India digitally.
30. Which change was visible in Bollywood?
Answer : Stories set completely abroad.
Medium Questions with answers
1. How does globalisation affect jobs in India?
Answer : Globalisation creates jobs in IT, call centers, and malls for urban youth. However, many traditional workers like farmers and weavers lose their livelihoods due to global competition. This leads to unequal opportunities across different groups.
2. What is the impact of globalisation on culture?
Answer : Globalisation brings global music, food, and clothing styles into India. Some fear it weakens local traditions, but others believe it creates new cultural mixes like ‘Bhangra pop.’ This blending is called glocalisation.
3. What does liberalisation mean for India’s economy?
Answer : Liberalisation refers to the removal of trade and financial rules in 1991. It allowed foreign companies to enter Indian markets, offering more choices to consumers. However, small businesses faced tough competition.
4. How has the electronic economy changed global trade?
Answer : The electronic economy uses technology for instant money transfers worldwide. Investors can trade stocks and move funds with just a click. This creates risks like sudden market dips from foreign investments.
5. What is the role of transnational corporations in globalisation?
Answer : Transnational corporations (TNCs) operate in many countries, producing goods and offering services. Examples include Coca-Cola and General Motors. They connect markets globally but often focus on profits over local needs.
6. What is the importance of telecommunications in globalisation?
Answer : Telecommunication links like phones and the Internet enable global connections. They allow instant sharing of information and images. This growth helps businesses and individuals stay connected worldwide.
7. What are the effects of globalisation on traditional crafts?
Answer : Globalisation has reduced demand for traditional crafts due to cheap alternatives. For example, Indian weavers struggle against factory-made textiles. Many artisans lose jobs, affecting cultural heritage.
8. How does globalisation create a knowledge economy?
Answer : A knowledge economy focuses on information-based work like software, media, and services. It reduces reliance on agriculture and manufacturing. This economy creates new jobs like event managers and designers.
9. What is the globalisation of finance?
Answer : Finance globalisation integrates financial markets worldwide. Cities like New York and Mumbai lead in 24-hour financial trading. It helps businesses grow but creates economic risks for countries.
10. What is the impact of globalisation on Indian food habits?
Answer : Globalisation has introduced foreign foods like Australian apples and Chinese pears. Supermarkets now sell global snacks and drinks. This changes local diets and affects farming.
11. How does glocalisation benefit companies?
Answer : Glocalisation mixes global ideas with local culture to increase sales. For example, McDonald’s in India serves vegetarian dishes to respect local traditions. It helps foreign brands adapt to Indian tastes.
12. Why is shopping culture changing in cities?
Answer : Malls and multiplexes are replacing traditional markets in urban areas. Advertisements promote spending and make shopping a form of entertainment. This reflects the cultural impact of globalisation.
13. What challenges do workers face in the new labour system?
Answer : Globalisation shifts manufacturing jobs to countries with cheap labour. Workers face job insecurity as companies move to cheaper locations. This trend affects wages and stability.
14. What are INGOs, and how do they work?
Answer : INGOs are international non-governmental organisations, like Greenpeace and Red Cross. They address global issues like environment and health. Unlike governments, they work independently.
15. How did digital technology grow in India?
Answer : India had very few phones after independence, but now millions use cell phones and the Internet. Urban areas enjoy advanced networks, but rural areas face a digital divide due to poor infrastructure.
Long Questions with answers
1. What are the effects of globalisation on culture in India?
Answer :
- Cultural Homogenisation: Western music, films, and fashion influence Indian traditions.
- Glocalisation: Global brands adapt to Indian culture, like McDonald’s offering vegetarian menus.
- Debates on Tradition: People discuss changes in dressing, music, and family roles.
- Impact on Local Arts: Traditional crafts and performances decline due to global competition.
2. How does globalisation affect Indian farmers?
Answer : Farmers face challenges as imported products, like cheaper silk yarn or gum, reduce demand for local goods. Large fishing vessels harm small fishermen by depleting fish stocks. Global competition forces many farmers to adopt new techniques or leave farming altogether. These changes threaten rural economies and traditions.
3. What is the relationship between globalisation and telecommunications?
Answer : Telecommunications play a crucial role in connecting people globally, enabling instant communication via phones and the Internet. India’s growth in cell phone use reflects the need for connectivity and modernisation. However, rural areas still lag due to poor infrastructure. This divide highlights inequalities in access to global opportunities.
4. What are the economic effects of liberalisation in India?
Answer : Liberalisation in 1991 opened Indian markets to foreign competition, creating jobs in industries like IT and retail. Consumers gained more choices, but small businesses struggled against global giants. Policies tied to international loans cut social spending, affecting education and health. The reforms benefited urban areas more than rural ones.
5. What role do transnational corporations play in globalisation?
Answer : TNCs like Coca-Cola and General Motors produce goods and offer services across countries, driving globalisation. They connect markets and spread technologies, but often focus on profits rather than local development. Some Indian companies, like Infosys, are also becoming global players. However, TNCs’ dominance can harm local industries.
6. How does globalisation lead to cultural homogenisation?
Answer : Cultural homogenisation means cultures becoming similar due to global influences, like Western music or food dominating local traditions. Some fear it erases diversity, while others see it as blending cultures. Glocalisation, where global trends adapt to local needs, balances this effect. Examples include McDonald’s offering vegetarian menus in India.
7. What are the environmental effects of globalisation?
Answer : Globalisation increases resource consumption, affecting the environment through deforestation, pollution, and waste. Large-scale industries and international trade expand carbon footprints. Traditional practices, like organic farming, decline under pressure from global markets. Environmental organisations like Greenpeace work to address these issues.
8. How has the culture of consumption changed in India?
Answer : Shopping malls and advertisements promote consumerism, making spending a lifestyle trend. People now prioritise branded goods and global food options. This shift is visible in urban areas with multiplexes and fast-food outlets. Traditional values of saving money are replaced by a focus on luxury and leisure.
9. What challenges do developing countries face in globalisation?
Answer : Developing countries struggle with competition from global giants, harming local industries and agriculture. Unequal access to technology and infrastructure worsens economic divides. Policies tied to international loans cut social spending, increasing poverty. Despite these challenges, globalisation brings opportunities for innovation and trade.
10. How does globalisation affect gender roles in India?
Answer : Globalisation challenges traditional gender roles by creating job opportunities for women in IT, BPOs, and malls. However, it also brings risks like job insecurity and exploitation in low-wage sectors. Cultural debates arise over modern lifestyles, such as dress and independence for women. These shifts reflect both progress and resistance in society.
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