🌏Global Studies Unit 6 – Global Economy and Trade

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Globalization: Increasing interconnectedness of world economies through trade, investment, and technology
• Comparative advantage: Ability of a country to produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than another country
• Absolute advantage: Ability of a country to produce a good or service using fewer resources than another country
• Trade deficit: Occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports
• Trade surplus: Occurs when a country's exports exceed its imports
• Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries or generate revenue
• Quotas: Limits on the quantity or value of goods that can be imported or exported
• Subsidies: Financial assistance provided by governments to domestic industries to improve their competitiveness

Historical Context of Global Trade

• Ancient trade routes (Silk Roads) facilitated exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Asia, Europe, and Africa
• Columbian Exchange introduced new crops (potatoes, maize) and animals (horses) between the Old and New Worlds
• Triangular Trade connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas through the exchange of manufactured goods, enslaved people, and raw materials
• Industrial Revolution led to increased production, specialization, and global trade
• World Wars and Great Depression disrupted global trade, leading to protectionist policies
• Bretton Woods Conference established international monetary system and institutions (World Bank, IMF) to promote global economic stability and growth
• Containerization revolutionized shipping and reduced transportation costs, facilitating global trade expansion

Major Economic Theories

• Mercantilism: Economic theory that emphasizes maximizing exports and minimizing imports to accumulate wealth
• Classical economics: Developed by Adam Smith and David Ricardo, emphasizes free trade, specialization, and comparative advantage
• Keynesian economics: Emphasizes government intervention to stimulate demand and stabilize the economy during recessions
• Neoclassical economics: Focuses on supply and demand, market equilibrium, and rational decision-making by individuals and firms
• Dependency theory: Argues that global economic system perpetuates inequality between developed and developing countries
• New trade theory: Explains trade patterns based on economies of scale, product differentiation, and imperfect competition
• Gravity model of trade: Predicts bilateral trade flows based on economic size and geographic distance between countries

International Trade Organizations and Agreements

• World Trade Organization (WTO): Promotes free trade, sets rules for international trade, and resolves trade disputes
• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): Preceded WTO, aimed to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to eliminate tariffs and promote regional trade
• European Union (EU): Economic and political union of 27 European countries with a single market and common trade policies
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Regional organization promoting economic integration and free trade among its ten member states
• Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Multilateral trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and promoting trade among Pacific Rim countries
• Bilateral trade agreements: Trade deals negotiated between two countries to reduce trade barriers and promote economic cooperation

Global Supply Chains and Multinational Corporations

• Global supply chains: Networks of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors involved in the production and delivery of goods and services worldwide
• Offshoring: Relocating business processes or production to another country to reduce costs or access resources
• Outsourcing: Contracting with an external company to perform specific tasks or services
• Vertical integration: When a company owns or controls its suppliers, distributors, or retail locations
• Horizontal integration: When a company acquires or merges with a competitor in the same industry
• Foreign direct investment (FDI): Investment made by a company or individual in one country into business interests in another country
• Multinational corporations (MNCs): Companies that operate in multiple countries and have a global presence
  • Examples of MNCs: Apple, Toyota, Nestle, Samsung

Trade Policies and Their Impacts

• Import substitution industrialization (ISI): Economic policy that encourages domestic production of goods to reduce dependence on imports
• Export-oriented industrialization (EOI): Economic policy that promotes exports and international trade as a means of economic growth
• Infant industry protection: Temporary trade barriers to protect nascent domestic industries from foreign competition
• Trade liberalization: Removal or reduction of trade barriers to promote free trade
• Dumping: Selling goods in a foreign market at a price lower than the domestic market price
• Trade wars: Situation where countries impose retaliatory tariffs or other trade barriers against each other
• Race to the bottom: Lowering of labor, environmental, or safety standards to attract foreign investment or gain a competitive advantage
• Trade adjustment assistance: Programs designed to help workers and industries adversely affected by international trade

Challenges and Controversies in Global Trade

• Trade imbalances: Persistent trade deficits or surpluses that can lead to economic instability or political tensions
• Currency manipulation: Intentional devaluation of a country's currency to boost exports and reduce imports
• Intellectual property rights: Protection of patents, trademarks, and copyrights in international trade
• Labor standards and worker exploitation: Concerns about poor working conditions and low wages in global supply chains
• Environmental degradation: Impact of trade on pollution, deforestation, and climate change
• Income inequality: Widening gap between rich and poor within and between countries as a result of globalization
• Cultural homogenization: Loss of cultural diversity due to the spread of global brands and consumer culture
• National security concerns: Fears that dependence on foreign suppliers or investment could compromise a country's security or autonomy

Future Trends and Emerging Markets

• Rise of digital trade: Growth of e-commerce and online services that transcend national borders
• Shift towards services trade: Increasing importance of trade in services (finance, telecommunications) relative to goods
• Growing role of emerging markets (Brazil, India): Developing countries with large populations and rapidly growing economies
• Regional trade agreements: Proliferation of trade deals among countries within a geographic region (African Continental Free Trade Area)
• Sustainable trade: Emphasis on trade practices that promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility
• Blockchain technology: Potential to revolutionize supply chain management and trade finance through secure, decentralized transactions
• Deglobalization: Possible retreat from global economic integration due to rising nationalism, protectionism, or geopolitical tensions
• Circular economy: Economic model that emphasizes recycling, reuse, and reduction of waste in production and consumption