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Globalisation and Social Change – Class 12 Sociology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Sociology, chapter 12. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Globalisation refers to the growing interconnection of the world through flows of goods, capital, people, information and culture. It has economic, political and cultural dimensions and has been accelerated by communication technology. In India, globalisation increased after the liberalisation of 1991. It has brought new opportunities, but also concerns about inequality, job insecurity, cultural homogenisation and the decline of traditional livelihoods.

Dimensions of globalisation

Economic: liberalisation of trade and investment, the role of transnational corporations, global financial flows and the growth of the 'weightless' or knowledge economy.
Political: neo-liberal policies that reduce the role of the state; international organisations such as the WTO, IMF and World Bank influence national policies.
Communication: telephones, satellites, the internet and mobile phones have shrunk distances and created a 'global village'.

Cultural and social effects

Cultural homogenisation suggests that all cultures become similar to Western, especially American, culture; glocalisation means global products adapt to local cultures, such as local menus by global food chains.
Globalisation has created new jobs in IT and services but harmed some traditional workers, such as weavers and fishing communities who face competition from mechanised trawlers.
It has influenced consumption, the media, food habits, dress and youth culture, and has given rise to global social movements against its negative effects.

Key terms

Globalisation: growing interconnection of the world through flows of goods, capital, people and ideas
Transnational corporation: a company that operates in several countries
Glocalisation: mixing of global products or culture with local culture
Cultural homogenisation: the trend of cultures becoming similar
Neo-liberalism: an ideology favouring free markets and a smaller role for the state

Important questions with answers

What is glocalisation?2 marks

Glocalisation is the mixing of the global with the local, in which global companies and cultural products adapt to local tastes and traditions to succeed, for example global food chains offering vegetarian or local dishes in India.

How has globalisation affected culture in India?3 marks

Globalisation has spread global brands, media, fashion and food, leading to fears of cultural homogenisation; at the same time, glocalisation has mixed global and local elements, and Indian culture, such as films, yoga and food, has also spread globally. Consumer culture and youth lifestyles have changed.

Discuss the social impact of globalisation in India.5 marks

Globalisation, accelerated in India after the economic liberalisation of 1991, has had wide social effects. Economically, it brought foreign investment, transnational corporations and a growing services sector, especially information technology, business process outsourcing and telecommunications, creating well-paid jobs for educated urban youth and expanding the middle class. Consumer goods became more widely available and consumption patterns changed. However, the benefits have been uneven. Traditional workers such as handloom weavers, artisans and fishing communities faced competition from imports and mechanised industries, and many small farmers suffered from price fluctuations in global markets. Employment became more flexible and insecure, with growth of contract labour. Culturally, global media, brands, fast food and fashion spread, raising concerns about cultural homogenisation and the dominance of Western culture; yet glocalisation also occurred as global products adapted to local tastes, and Indian films, music and yoga gained global audiences. Communication technology connected people across the world, and the Indian diaspora became important. Politically, neo-liberal policies reduced state intervention, and international organisations influenced policy. Globalisation has also produced resistance, through movements of farmers, workers and environmentalists who seek a more just form of global integration.

Quick revision

Economic, political and communication dimensions.
TNCs, WTO and neo-liberal policy.
Homogenisation versus glocalisation.
Effects on jobs, consumption and culture.

Exam tips

Remember glocalisation with the example of global food chains offering local menus.
List two gains and two losses from globalisation for Indian workers.

Practice MCQs

A company operating in several countries is a
1. transnational corporation
2. cooperative
3. panchayat
4. public sector unit
Show answer
Answer: (a) transnational corporation. Examples include large global brands.
India's economic liberalisation began in
1. 1947
2. 1975
3. 1991
4. 2008
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1991. It opened the economy.
Mixing global products with local culture is called
1. glocalisation
2. homogenisation
3. westernisation
4. urbanisation
Show answer
Answer: (a) glocalisation. Global chains adapt menus.
The trend of cultures becoming similar is called
1. cultural lag
2. acculturation only
3. cultural homogenisation
4. ethnocentrism
Show answer
Answer: (c) cultural homogenisation. Critics fear loss of diversity.
An ideology favouring free markets and a smaller state is
1. socialism
2. neo-liberalism
3. feudalism
4. communalism
Show answer
Answer: (b) neo-liberalism. It shaped globalisation.
Which international organisation regulates world trade
1. UNESCO
2. UNICEF
3. WHO
4. WTO
Show answer
Answer: (d) WTO. It was set up in 1995.
Why have traditional fishing communities been affected by globalisation
1. fishing was banned
2. they moved to IT jobs
3. fish prices fell to zero
4. mechanised trawlers and export-oriented fishing reduced their catch and livelihood
Show answer
Answer: (d) mechanised trawlers and export-oriented fishing reduced their catch and livelihood. Competition increased.
The idea of a 'weightless economy' refers to
1. an economy based on information, knowledge and services rather than heavy goods
2. an economy without trade
3. a poor economy
4. an economy without money
Show answer
Answer: (a) an economy based on information, knowledge and services rather than heavy goods. Software is an example.

All chapters of Class 12 Sociology

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.