Likely Mid Term Questions

1. Describe global studies along with its key concepts and qualities
2. Write about the European exploration of the world
3. Explain colonialism and the motives behind colonialism
4. Explain imperialism and the impacts it had on the world
5. Describe industrialization and neo-imperialism
6. Write the history of globalization
7. Explain the motives and outcomes of the Bretton Woods Conference

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Introduction to Global Studies

Defining Global Studies

• Definition: The systematic study of the global system and of its related features, qualities,
trends, institutions, processes, and problems. It attempts to understand the world by looking at
it from multiple perspectives (multidisciplinary), drawing upon the insights and theoretical
frameworks of various academic fields. It also seeks to make connections between those
different perspectives – to understand how they are related and how they might fit together as
part of a larger whole (interdisciplinary).

Key Concepts of Global Studies

1. International Studies: The study of interactions, comparisons, and commonalities involving two
or more states
2. International Relations: The study of the political and economic interactions among states, in
terms of diplomacy and policy
3. Globalization: The process by which the political, economic, social, and cultural links between
people, corporations, and governments in different states become integrated through
cooperation, trade, travel, communications, media, investment, market forces, and technology.
4. Globalism: A philosophy, ideology, or policy based on taking a global view of society, politics
economics, security, and the environment.

Qualities of Global Studies

1. Transnational: Concerned with subjects not limited by state boundaries

2. Integral: Concerned with what unites us and affects us as a whole, including how decisions are
shaped and implemented globally, rather than what divides us
3. Inclusive: Engages with the multiple views of the entire human race rather than the perspective
of any one group of people
4. Interdisciplinary: Looks at the world from the perspective of multiple disciplines (history,
international relations, economics, sociology, etc.)
 Growth of the Global System

Emergence of the Modern World: 4 key features (discovery and exploration, colonization,
industrialization, and imperialism) established and drew the outlines of the modern world.

Discovery (and Exploration)

• Timeline: Era of discovery ran from late 15th century – late 16th century
• Brief: Europeans set out to visit, understand, and connect with other parts of the world (first
age of globalization). Europeans had the upper hand over the Chinese and Persians because:
o they sought to trade with more distant parts of the world
o they invented long distance sailing ships
o they had the support of their governments and benefactors
• European Exploration in Africa (Prince Henry): Dom Henrique of Portugal (Duke of Viseu), was a
central figure in the early days of the Portuguese empire and the 15th century European
maritime discoveries and maritime exploration
• European Exploration in America (Christopher Columbus): Christopher Columbus was an Italian
sailor supported by Spain who reached the Americas in 1942. He did not really “discover” the
“New World” as millions already lived there but his journeys marked the beginning of centuries
of exploration and colonization of North and South America
• European Exploration in America (Pedro Alvares Cabral): A Portuguese navigator credited with
discovering Brazil in April 1500
• European Exploration in South Asia (Vasco da Gama): A Portuguese explorer who arrived on
the Western sea coast of Kerala, India in May 1498
• European Exploration (Ferdinand Magellan): A Portuguese explorer credited with the
masterminding the first expedition to go around (circumnavigate) the world. He was sponsored
by Spain to travel west across the Atlantic in search of the East Indies. In doing so, his expedition
became the first from Europe to cross the Pacific Ocean and go around the world in the 1500s.

Colonialism

• Definition: Colonialism is an effort by the governments or citizens of one region to occupy and
control foreign territories with aims of settlement, economic exploitation, or strategic
advantage
• Timeline: 1500-1750, European monarchs financed the exploration of new worlds and
development of trading posts, laying the foundations of colonialism
• Brief: European powers established colonies around the world, exploiting local resources and
people for their own benefit. Included imposing their own cultures, languages, beliefs, etc. and
the erasure of local traditions and ways of life.
• Impact: Colonialism shaped the political, economic, and social structures of many countries and
often led to exploitation, inequality, and oppression. Many former colonies still seek to regress
the imbalances created during this period.
 • Motives:
o Settlement: (e.g.: England’s North American colonies, where the rich decided to settle in
times of war and turmoil)
o Extraction: To set up trade ties and extract resources (commodities, slaves, and others)
o Strategic Advantage: To establish military bases to protect ecopolitical interests
o Desire to ‘Civilize’: Desire of colonizers to ‘improve’ peoples and cultures deemed
inferior, and desire of missionaries to spread Christianity

Imperialism

• Definition: Imperialism is a policy or practice by a government/state to extend a country’s

power and influence through colonization, use of military force, economic domination, cultural
hegemon (supremacy), or political control over other countries or territories
• Timeline: 19-20th century. European powers established colonies and controlled large parts of
the world (Age of Imperialism, Scramble for Africa)
• Brief: Imperialism was justified by ideological justifications, including the belief in European
superiority and the idea of the “White Man’s Burden” of having the duty to bring civilization and
progress to the “uncivilized” parts of the world
o Cecil John Rhodes was a prominent British imperialist, whose goal was for British rule
over the entire world. He established African colonies Northern and Southern Rhodesia
(now Zambia and Zimbabwe).
• Impacts:
o Exploitation and oppression of colonized people
o Forced displacement of population
o Destruction of traditional ways of life
o Rise of nationalist movements, and anti-colonial struggles
o Decolonization of most of the world in the mid 20th century

Difference between imperialism and colonialism: Colonialism is the establishment of a colony in a foreign
land, while imperialism is one country taking over another country or region by force or coercion.

Industrialization

• Definition: The period of history when economies began to shift from agricultural based
societies to ones based on industry and manufacturing
• Timeline: 18th century, starting in Britain.
• Brief: Technological advances in steam power, textiles, iron/steel production, and transport
transformed the way goods were produced and transported; increased efficiency, productivity,
and new opportunities for economic growth and social mobility
• Impacts: Increase in urbanization, rise of middle class, emergence of political ideologies of
socialism and communism, competition for control over resources and markets (international
trade relations) leading to imperialism and colonialism, development of global supply chains and
emergence of MNCs.
Neo-Imperialism

• Definition: The resurgence of imperialist policies and practices in the modern era
o Includes various economic, political, and cultural strategies employed by powerful
nations and corporations to exert control over weaker states and regions
• Factors Driving Neo-Imperialism:
o Economic globalization: National economies are becoming more integrated in the global
system. Powerful transnational corporations with more power, influence and economic
leverage extract resources, labour, profits from weaker countries. Multilateral
organizations (IMF, world bank, etc.) dominated by rich countries often demand
concessions from poorer countries in return for loans and investment.
o Geopolitical Competition: Particularly between US and China; countries seek to expand
influence and gain access to strategic resources at the expense of weaker states
o Cultural imperialism: Powerful countries seek to spread their cultural norms, values and
practices worldwide, including in the form of media and entertainment exports,
educational programs, etc. which the reinforce dominant norms and ideologies of the
global elite.

Globalization

Concept

Globalization: The process by which the political, economic, social, and cultural links between people,
corporations, and governments in different states become integrated through cooperation, trade,
travel, communications, media, investment, market forces, and technology.

Good or bad? Internationalization or Westernization? Compression of the World; Deterritorialization;

History (lecture slides are incomplete)

• Settlement on all continents 12,000 years ago

• Invention of writing between 3500 BC and 2000 BC and invention of the wheel around 3000 BC
• Establishment of trading routes, development of boats, establishment of trade networks
o Also triggered migration and increase in urban population
• European monarchs financed the exploration of ‘new worlds’ between 1500 and 1750, laying
the groundwork for colonialism
• Development of nation-state system
• European settlement of the Americas, foundation for industry and expanded trade
• Innovations in transport and communication in 19th century
• Introduction of mass media, World wars and dramatic technological advances in 20th century
• Cold war following WW2 and polarization of the world ….
• Widespread use of the internet and rapid technological advances
 Economic Dimensions of Globalization

Economic globalization occurring due to increasing trade through information and technology, existence
of supranational bodies (WTO, IMF, etc.) facilitating capital flows and imposing conditions, and influence
of transnational/multinational companies (T/MNCs)

Bretton-Woods Conference

• Brief: Conference held between 700+ representatives from 44 allied countries across 22 days in
July 1944.
• Motives:
o Reconstruction: Create a system of rules, institutions, and procedures to rebuild and
regulate the international economy
o Maintain Stability: Prevent the monetary chaos of the interwar period (WW1-WW2)
from occurring again.
o Enforce Trade Liberalism: Enforcing a new open international economic system with
lower tariffs and barriers to trade, deregulation of markets, and minimal government
intervention
• Output:
o Endorsement of the US Dollar: all currencies defined in relation to the US Dollar
o International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Initially to promote
the reconstruction of Europe, later became the World Bank to loan to developing
countries for economic development
o International Monetary Fund (IMF): Initially to regulate and stabilize exchange rates
(the international monetary system), later to short-term loan to countries in crisis
o General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT): Signed 1947 between 23 countries;
legal agreement to minimize barriers to international trade by eliminating or reducing
quotas, tariffs, subsidies, etc. while preserving significant regulations (to boost
economic recovery after WW2); precursor to the World Trade Organization (WTO).