What are the factors that contribute to globalisation?
G2 Social Studies - syllabus K230 (Social Studies component), 2027
What drives globalisation: better transport, digital technology and multinational corporations, and how they work together.
- What globalisation means
Globalisation is the process by which countries and people become more connected and dependent on each other across borders.
- Connections and interdependence
Being connected means having links. Being interdependent means relying on each other, and that reliance is often unequal.
- Developments in transport
Faster, bigger and cheaper transport makes it easier to move goods and people between countries.
- Developments in digital technology
Digital technology lets people share information, work together and provide some services across borders without travelling.
- Growth of multinational corporations
A multinational corporation (MNC) owns or runs business operations in more than one country, creating links across borders.
- How the drivers work together
Transport moves goods and people, digital technology moves information, and MNCs organise it all. Together they drive globalisation.
- Put it together: Follow the bicycle's connections
A bicycle company owns a design office in Singapore, a factory in Vietnam and a sales centre in Australia. Designers send files online. Finished bicycles travel by ship. Follow each part of the network.
What you will be able to do
I can explain what globalisation is and how it links countries and people and makes them depend on each other.
Syllabus K230, Issue 3, Key Understandings. Globalisation shapes the interconnections and interdependence among countries and people.
Taught in What globalisation means, Connections and interdependence
I can explain how transport, digital technology and multinational corporations work together to drive globalisation.
Syllabus K230, Issue 3, Guiding Question 1. Driving forces of globalisation
Taught in How the drivers work together
I can explain how faster and cheaper transport has driven globalisation.
Syllabus K230, Issue 3, Guiding Question 1, Technological advancements. Developments in transportation
Taught in Developments in transport
I can explain how developments in digital technology have driven globalisation.
Syllabus K230, Issue 3, Guiding Question 1, Technological advancements. Developments in digital technology
Taught in Developments in digital technology
I can explain how the growth of multinational corporations has driven globalisation.
Syllabus K230, Issue 3, Guiding Question 1. Growth of Multinational Corporations
Taught in Growth of multinational corporations
Sources and context
Background reading for this chapter.
- PMO: Official opening of Tuas Port, 1 September 2022
This opening speech records facilities and plans. It does not establish completed future capacity or prove that every exporter experienced lower costs.
- MTI, IMDA and NITI Aayog: TradeTrust transaction, 25 August 2023
This is one documented transaction. It does not show that all trade became paperless or that every participant achieved the same saving.
- Pfizer release hosted by EDB: Tuas expansion, 23 July 2024
Pfizer issued this release; EDB hosts it. It supports the reported operation and expansion, not an independent assessment of benefits for every worker or country.