SCC Globalization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes the process by which local cultures adopt and adapt elements from global culture while maintaining distinct identities?
- Assimilation
- Glocalization (Correct answer)
- Homogenization
- Diffusion
Correct answer: Glocalization
Glocalization refers to the blending of global influences with local cultural practices, coined by sociologist Roland Robertson.
Question 2: Immanuel Wallerstein's World-Systems Theory divides nations into which three categories?
- Developed, Developing, Underdeveloped
- Core, Semi-periphery, Periphery (Correct answer)
- First World, Second World, Third World
- Industrial, Agrarian, Post-industrial
Correct answer: Core, Semi-periphery, Periphery
Wallerstein categorized nations as core (dominant), semi-periphery (intermediate), and periphery (exploited) based on their role in the global economy.
Question 3: The 'McDonaldization' of society, a concept by George Ritzer, primarily illustrates which aspect of globalization?
- Cultural imperialism through fast food
- The spread of rationalization and standardization worldwide (Correct answer)
- Economic dependency of developing nations
- Technological diffusion across borders
Correct answer: The spread of rationalization and standardization worldwide
Ritzer used McDonald's as a metaphor for the global spread of efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control as organizing principles.
Question 4: Which sociological perspective is most critical of globalization, arguing it primarily benefits wealthy nations at the expense of poorer ones?
- Functionalism
- Symbolic interactionism
- Conflict theory (Correct answer)
- Structural functionalism
Correct answer: Conflict theory
Conflict theorists argue globalization perpetuates inequality by allowing core nations to extract wealth and labor from peripheral nations.
Question 5: The phenomenon where a company relocates its manufacturing to countries with lower labor costs and fewer regulations is called:
- Outsourcing
- Offshoring (Correct answer)
- Reshoring
- Nearshoring
Correct answer: Offshoring
Offshoring specifically refers to relocating business operations to another country, whereas outsourcing can occur domestically.
Question 6: Which concept describes the fear that global cultural flows will erase local traditions and replace them with Western — especially American — culture?
- Cultural relativism
- Ethnocentrism
- Cultural imperialism (Correct answer)
- Cultural diffusion
Correct answer: Cultural imperialism
Cultural imperialism refers to the dominance of one culture over others through media, consumer goods, and institutions, often associated with American influence.
Question 7: In the context of globalization, what does the term 'brain drain' refer to?
- Loss of cultural memory in rapidly modernizing societies
- Emigration of skilled professionals from developing to developed countries (Correct answer)
- The cognitive effects of social media overload
- Decline in educational quality due to privatization
Correct answer: Emigration of skilled professionals from developing to developed countries
Brain drain describes how developing nations lose educated professionals who migrate to wealthier countries for better opportunities.
SCC Globalization 2
Which term describes the process by which local cultures adopt and adapt elements from global culture while maintaining distinct identities?