Read the passage and answer the questions:
Globalization and change
Globalisation as a concept fundamentally deals with flows of various kinds — ideas moving from one part of the world to another, capital shunted between two or more places, commodities being traded across borders, and people moving in search of better livelihoods to different parts of the world. The crucial element is the ‘worldwide interconnectedness’ that is created and sustained as a consequence of these constant flows. 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 results in an erosion of state capacity, that is, the ability of government to do what they do. All over the world, the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens. A part of the problem has to do with defining economic globalisation itself. The mention of economic globalisation draws our attention immediately to the role of international institutions like the IMF and the WTO and the role they play in determining economic policies across the world. While cultural homogenisation is an aspect of globalisation, the same process also generates precisely the opposite effect. It leads to each culture becoming more different and distinctive. This phenomenon is called cultural heterogenisation.
Which of the following is a consequence of constant flows associated with globalisation?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Worldwide interconnectedness
Option (1) Disintegration of nation — Incorrect. The passage speaks of an erosion of state capacity, not the break-up of nations.
Option (2) Annihilation of class formations — Incorrect. The flows in the passage connect the world; they do not wipe out classes in society.
Option (3) Demographic decline — Incorrect. The flow of people in search of better livelihoods is about movement, not a fall in population.
Option (4) Worldwide interconnectedness — Correct. Globalisation deals with flows of ideas, capital, commodities and people, and the central element is the ‘worldwide interconnectedness’ that is created and sustained as a consequence of these constant flows.
NCERT (2025-26): “Concept of Globalisation … Since much of the usage tends to be imprecise, it becomes important to clarify what we mean by globalisation. Globalisation as a concept fundamentally deals with flows. These flows could be of various kinds — ideas moving from one part of the world to another, capital shunted between two or more places, commodities being traded across borders, and people moving in search of better livelihoods to different parts of the world. The crucial element is the ‘worldwide interconnectedness’ that is created and sustained as a consequence of these constant flows.” |