VCE Sociology Unit 3 Outcome 1 Community and society ‘Changes to communities and identities due to globalisation and access to new information technologies’

Globalisation and ICT What’s the most significant change we saw in the 20 th century? ▫Was it technology, business, religion, economics, or crime?  What do they all have in common?  How does “globalisation” fit in?

Globalisation and ICT Globalisation is an idea that emerged in the 1980s to refer to and/or explain the impact of new patterns of economic, political and cultural activity, especially those relying on communications technology and the rapid flow of finance capital. ▫Economic increase of finance, trade, production ▫Political increase of governing organisations ▫Cultural increase of ICT, media, food, language

Globalisation and ICT The world is said to be shrinking, creating a single, expanded, globalising free market and removing the need for nation states. ▫Free market where prices are determined by unrestricted competition between private business

Globalisation and ICT Globalisation is the compression and integration of the world through increased cross-national circulation of: ▫money (capital) ▫goods and services (products) ▫knowledge and symbols (information) ▫people (labour) ▫transportation (trade) ▫political ideology (democracy) ▫communication (ICT)

Globalisation and ICT ICT stands for Information and Computer Technologies ▫e.g. mobiles, Internet, P2P, etc It is generally regarded as a form of instantaneous global communication

Globalisation and ICT Read the handouts “Overview of global business and globalisation” and “On the move” (don’t do the questions) Use a Lotus Diagram graphic organiser to explore the changes to communities or identities due to globalisation and ICT ▫Central square: changes to communities or identities due to globalisation and ICT ▫Inner squares: political causes, political causes, economic causes, environmental causes, technological causes and social causes ▫Outer squares: examples of the causes and their impact

Political effects ICT is increasing democracy by allowing alternative opinions to be published ICT is providing more opportunities for active citizenship through direct contact with elected officials and the promotion of NGOs Globalisation and the rise of powerful global organisations is weakening national governments (e.g. multinationals, UN, World Bank, etc) Globalisation has encouraged governments to adopt a ‘user-pays’ system by outsourcing and reducing resources

Political effects Impact on Australia Tax review “As a capital importing country, we need to be mindful of the impact domestic tax laws have on global investment decisions and our ability to attract investment and international business” (Rudd 2009). Free Trade Agreements that lower tariffs

Economic effects ICT has increased global interconnectedness and sped up the process of globalisation ICT has reshaped the workforce including working from home, outsourcing of jobs, etc Globalisation has lowered production costs and, as a result, the cost of goods Financial disasters in one country may impact on employment of workers in other countries Globalisation has increased the exploitation of workers in developing countries including those coming to Australia on a 457 visa Globalisation is increasing the disparity between developed and developing countries

Economic effects Impact on Australia Sustainability “… Australia needs to build stable foundations for growth by reforming the economy to enhance long-term productivity growth, the only reliable driver of long-term improvements in national living standards” (Rudd 2009). Survived GFC without going into recession through stimulus packages

Environmental effects Climate change has resulted in the Australian government putting restrictions on carbon emissions from business as well as encouraging citizens to be more self-sustaining through use of grey-water, solar panels, etc

Environmental effects Impact on Australia ▫Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme ▫“Modelling from Treasury suggests that, by 2050, the output costs for economies that act early are 15 per cent lower than countries that wait for the world to act together” (Rudd 2009).  Australia needs to act soon to save money

Technological effects ICT provides access to international information previously difficult to obtain ICT increases the international digital divide between developed and developing counties ICT is forcing governments to be more accountable through citizen journalism ICT supports the notion of the global “hive mind” The Internet has resulted in a significant shift in communications, allowing for the establishment of communities across national borders and/or large distances

Technological effects Some ICT negatives… It disconnects people from “reality” It is isolating for urbanites (i.e. less face-to-face interaction) The contact is less “personal” and it is easier to lie There is often less self-censorship (e.g. racist blogs) It is linked to increases in childhood obesity It excludes people without access to or knowledge of computers/Internet The rise in online communities has shrunk the number of “real” communities

Technological effects Impact on Australia National Broadband Network “The network will help transform the Australian economy and facilitate the shift to more knowledge-based industries as well as radically change the way business manage inputs, customers and resources” (Rudd 2009). Allows Australia to be internationally competitive

Social effects The dominance of English online is a form of colonisation ▫Read the handout “Online language populations” ICT can promote equality and empower marginalised groups Globalisation has enhanced individualism, consumerism and competition – all of which work against community cohesion Globalisation has impacted on Australia’s cultural make-up through migration, multiculturalism, etc The move from manufacturing industries to service industries has opened up the workplace to more women, which in turn has changed family structures and shifted family functions to other institutions (e.g. schools)

Social effects Impact on Australia ▫Retirement Income Policy ▫“Over the next 40 years, the number of Australians aged over 65 will grow from 13 per cent to 25 per cent of the population” (Rudd 2009).  Increased migration may also be beneficial

TO DO Write a definition of the following term in your glossary: ▫Globalisation