Understanding Globalization: Key Players and Economic Regions
Globalization: An Overview
Globalization encompasses several key aspects:
- International trade has grown significantly.
- A new organization of production has emerged.
- International financial flows are becoming more intense.
- Trade agreements between countries are more numerous.
Key Institutions in the Global Economy
- World Bank: Grants loans with low or zero interest.
- IMF (International Monetary Fund): Encourages countries to adopt economic measures to avoid crises.
- WTO (World Trade Organization): Establishes rules governing international trade.
- G7/G8: Composed of the U.S., Germany, UK, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, and (formerly) Russia.
Economic Regions of the World
USA
The USA is a leading world power, with strengths in multimedia, business motivation, investment, a highly skilled workforce, rich natural and energy resources, a flexible economy, substantial foreign investments, and the U.S. dollar as a major world currency.
EU (European Union)
The EU is a major economic power, second only to the U.S. Member countries have differences, but most use the Euro (except the UK).
Southeast Asia
Japan is a first-rate industrial power, though it has faced financial crises since 1990. The Asian Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan) experienced late industrialization. China has shown strong growth in recent years and is a major engine of the global economy. India is following a similar evolution to China.
Russia
Russia has heavy industry, but has faced challenges adapting from socialism to capitalism. It possesses significant natural resources and human capital.
Other Regional Powers
Brazil
Brazil is the leading Latin American economic power, with industrial production methods and natural resources. However, wealth is unevenly distributed.
South Africa
South Africa has mineral and agricultural resources, but a significant portion of the population is disadvantaged.
Australia
Australia has a low population, a good standard of living, and advanced industrial and agricultural production methods.
Historical Context: Agricultural Revolutions
The Neolithic Revolution (approximately 10,000 years ago) marked the beginning of agriculture and livestock farming for food production and raw materials.
The Agricultural Revolution in England in the late 18th century changed agricultural production methods, allowing fewer people to feed those migrating to cities and industries.
Human Factors in Agriculture
Population Size
Population size influences demand for food and raw materials.
Techniques
Modernized countries produce more, while poorer countries rely on labor-intensive methods.
Types of Agriculture
- Subsistence Agriculture: Most of the crop is consumed by the producers.
- Market Agriculture: Most of the production is aimed at consumers who have not worked the land.
Agricultural Policies
Agricultural policies influence agriculture through subsidies, price fixing, and production quotas.
Agricultural Landscapes
Agricultural landscapes vary based on several elements:
Plots
Plots are classified by how they are defined:
- Openfield: Fields without fences.
- Bocage: Fields bounded by fences.
Use of Plots
- Intensive Agriculture: Continuous use of parcels through techniques.
- Extensive Agriculture: Leaving land fallow for a rest period.
Irrigation
- Dry Agriculture: Relies only on rainwater.
- Irrigated Agriculture: Supplements rainwater with farmer-provided water.
Cultivation
- Polyculture: Diverse crop species.
- Monoculture: A single crop species.