Those who argue that there is something distinct about contemporary globalisation, point out to which one of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Scale and speed of flows account for the uniqueness of globalisation.
Option (1) Globalisation has taken place through much of human history. — Incorrect. Flows of ideas, capital, commodities and people across the world are old; they have taken place through much of human history. That is why some ask whether there is anything novel about globalisation. So this line argues against the distinctness of contemporary globalisation; it is not what those who see something distinct point out.
Option (2) It is a mistake to assume globalisation as a purely cultural phenomenon. — Incorrect. Globalisation is multi-dimensional: it has political, economic and cultural sides, so it is wrong to treat it as purely economic or purely cultural. This is a point about the many dimensions of globalisation, not about what makes today’s globalisation different from earlier flows.
Option (3) The vastly uneven impact of globalisation on the Global North. — Incorrect. The impact of globalisation is vastly uneven — it affects some societies more than others — but this says nothing about what is new in it, and the uneven impact is not tied to the Global North.
Option (4) Scale and speed of flows account for the uniqueness of globalisation. — Correct. Those who see something distinct in contemporary globalisation point out that it is the scale and speed of these flows that make it unique in the contemporary era.
NCERT (2025-26): “Causes of Globalisation … If globalisation is about the flows of ideas, capital, commodities, and people, it is perhaps logical to ask if there is anything novel about this phenomenon. Globalisation in terms of these four flows has taken place through much of human history. However, those who argue that there is something distinct about contemporary globalisation point out that it is the scale and speed of these flows that account for the uniqueness of globalisation in the contemporary era.…” |