Key Terms: Globalisation (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Dimensions of globalisation - key terms

Cultural globalisation – The spread and mixing of cultures around the world, including shared ideas, values, food, media, and lifestyles.

Economic globalisation – The increasing integration of economies through trade, foreign investment, production, and capital flows across borders.

Flow of capital – Movement of money for the purpose of investment, trade, or business production, especially through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Flow of information – The rapid spread of ideas, data, and communication via the internet, social media, and telecommunications.

Flow of labour – Migration of both skilled and unskilled workers between countries, contributing to cultural exchange and economic links.

Flow of products – The global movement of manufactured goods, often produced in less developed economies and sold in more developed ones.

Flow of services – Services such as customer support outsourced to lower-cost economies to serve customers in wealthier countries.

Global marketing – The strategy of promoting and selling products worldwide using consistent branding and messaging to build global awareness.

Global shift – The movement of economic activity, particularly manufacturing, from developed to emerging economies to exploit lower costs.

Global village – A term describing how technological advancements have compressed time and space, making the world more interconnected.

Glocalisation – The modification of global products to suit local markets, such as adapting food menus to cultural preferences.

KOF Index – A tool developed to measure levels of globalisation across countries, including economic, political, and social dimensions.

Political globalisation – The growth of political cooperation through organisations such as the UN and EU, allowing countries to make joint decisions on international issues.

Social globalisation – The increased interconnectivity of people through travel, communication, migration, and shared social values.

Factors in globalisation - key terms

Containerisation – The use of standardised containers to transport goods efficiently, reducing costs and speeding up global trade.

Digital communications – The use of electronic systems (e.g. internet, fibre optics, mobile phones) to share information rapidly across borders.

Financial deregulation – The reduction of controls over the movement of capital, making it easier for firms to invest and trade internationally.

Global financial system – International networks that enable capital flows, including banks, stock exchanges, and financial institutions.

NATO – A military alliance formed to ensure peace and collective security among member states; an example of international cooperation.

OECD – The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which promotes policy coordination and economic collaboration among countries.

Security cooperation – Countries working together through alliances or organisations to improve international safety and address global threats.

Time-space compression – The process by which technology reduces the relative distance between places, making global connections quicker and easier.

Trade agreements – Formal deals between countries or trade blocs that reduce tariffs and barriers, enabling freer trade.

Trade blocs – Groups of countries that remove trade barriers among members and often form political and economic alliances.

Transport improvements – Advances in steamships, railways, jet aircraft, and shipping that have made global movement of goods and people faster and cheaper.

World Trade Organisation (WTO) – An international body that facilitates global trade by promoting negotiation and settlement of trade disputes.