Cambridge A-Level Sociology: Globalisation Debates, Identity and Politics — Revision Notes (9699)

These notes condense syllabus heading 7 of Cambridge International A Level Sociology (9699), Key debates, concepts and perspectives on globalisation. In short: globalisation is increasing worldwide interconnection; sociologists disagree about whether it is real, new and beneficial; it may make identities more alike or more diverse; and it raises questions about whether democracy is spreading and whether nation states can still solve global problems. Paper 4 tests this through 35-mark essays that need evaluation.

Full explanations are in the globalisation debates study guide.

Syllabus coverage

9699 (2024–2026) Paper 4 Section A, heading 7: 7.1 Perspectives on globalisation; 7.2 Globalisation and identity; 7.3 Globalisation, power and politics.

Key terms

Term	Definition
Globalisation	Intensification of worldwide social relations linking distant places (Giddens, 1999)
Time-space compression	The world “shrinking” as communication and travel speed up (Harvey, 1989)
Glocalisation	Adapting global products or ideas to local cultures (Robertson, 1992)
Global culture	Shared media, brands, consumer goods and values circulating worldwide
Transnational corporation (TNC)	A company producing and selling in many countries
Cultural convergence / homogenisation	Cultures becoming more alike
Cultural divergence	Cultures becoming more distinct, or differences strengthened
Westernisation	Spread of Western values, consumerism and institutions
Hybrid identity	Identity blending more than one culture
Cultural defence	Protecting a culture from perceived external threat, often through religion
Ethnic revitalisation	Revival of ethnic language, tradition or pride
Global social movement	Networked campaign across borders, e.g. climate or alter-globalisation movements

7.1 Who benefits? Perspectives at a glance

Perspective	Is it real?	Who benefits?	Name to use
Globalist	Yes, sweeping	Everyone, through growth and choice	Ohmae (1990, 1995)
Sceptic	Exaggerated	States and regional blocs still decide	Hirst and Thompson (1996)
Transformationalist	Real but uneven	Mixed; states adapt	Held et al. (1999)
Marxist	Real — global capitalism	Transnational capitalist class	Sklair (1991); Wallerstein
Feminist	Real — gendered	Men and capital, via women’s cheap and care labour	Enloe (1989); Hochschild’s global care chains
Postmodernist	Real — cultural	Individuals gain choice; identities fragment	Baudrillard; Bauman

Problems defining globalisation: not new (empires, colonial trade); several processes not one; uneven access, so not truly “global”.

Dimensions: economic (TNCs, finance), political (UN, WTO, treaties), cultural (media, brands, migration).

7.2 Identity: convergence or divergence?

Convergence arguments

• Ritzer’s McDonaldization (1993): efficiency, calculability, predictability, control spread worldwide.
• Global media spread Western consumerism and individualism (Westernisation).

Divergence arguments

• Hybridity: Bhabha (1994), Hall on diaspora.
• Cultural defence: Bruce (1996) — religion protecting national or ethnic identity.
• Ethnic revitalisation of languages and traditions.
• Huntington (1996): clash of civilisations; Barber (1995): “Jihad vs. McWorld”.

Evaluation: glocalisation suggests a middle position — global forms with local content. Convergence may be stronger in consumer goods than in values.

7.3 Power and politics

Issue	For	Against
Spread of liberal democracy	Fukuyama, “The End of History?” (1989); more elections and rights treaties since 1948	Democratic reversals; democracy promotion can serve Western interests
Global social movements	Seattle WTO protests (1999), World Social Forum (2001), Occupy (2011), Fridays for Future (2018); Castells on networks (1996)	Fragmented aims; limited lasting policy change
Nation state	Sceptics: states still control borders, tax, military	Globalists: markets and TNCs constrain states; Beck: risks cross borders
Global problems	Transformationalists: cooperation, e.g. Kyoto (1997), Paris (2015)	Agreements weakly enforced; national interest dominates

Worked essay plan

Practice question: “Globalisation benefits everyone.” Evaluate this view. [35]

1. Introduction: define globalisation; note debate about its extent.
2. For: globalist claims — growth, cheaper goods, spread of rights and technology.
3. Against (Marxist): transnational capitalist class gains; TNCs move production to low-wage economies.
4. Against (feminist): women’s labour in export factories and global care chains.
5. Sceptic angle: benefits are regional and depend on state policy.
6. Transformationalist conclusion: benefits are real but very unequal; who benefits depends on class, gender and country.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Treating “globalist” and “globalisation” as the same thing — globalist is a perspective.
• Assuming globalisation only means economics; 7.1 names cultural and political dimensions too.
• Writing only about homogenisation in identity questions; 7.2 expects divergence as well.
• Listing all six perspectives with no evaluation — depth beats breadth in a 35-mark essay.
• Forgetting examples from more than one society.

Quick self-test

1. Who coined “glocalisation”?
2. State the three positions in Held et al.’s typology.
3. Give one argument that globalisation strengthens local identities.
4. Name one global social movement and its date.
5. Give one reason sceptics say the nation state remains powerful.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest overall conclusion? A transformationalist judgement — globalisation is real but uneven, and its benefits depend on position — lets you weigh every side.

How does 7.2 differ from Paper 1 section 1.3? Paper 1 introduces hybrid identities; 7.2 asks you to evaluate convergence against divergence on a global scale.

Which examples work best? Use examples you can explain in detail — a TNC, a protest movement or a climate agreement — rather than many vague references.

Related pages: globalisation debates practice questions | globalisation contemporary issues revision notes | Paper 4 revision notes