Case Studies - Global Systems and Governance

What percentage of Somalia's population relies on remittances to meet basic needs?

40%

What percentage of Somalia's GNI is supported by remittances?

50%

What is the expected rank of India's economy by 2040?

Second largest economy in the world

How many social media users are there worldwide?

Over 5 billion

What was the growth rate of the UK economy in 2025?

0.1%

What was the growth rate of China's economy in 2025?

4.8%

How many mobile phone subscriptions were there globally in 2025?

8.6 billion

How many internet users were there globally in 2025?

6 billion

What was the GDP of BRIC in 2012?

$16 trillion (EU was $17 trillion)

What is the contribution of football production to Pakistan's economy?

$3.5 billion

What is the positive impact of increasing women playing football in Sialkot, Pakistan?

Specializing in manufacturing

What is the concept of time-space compression?

No two countries with McDonald's have fought a war against each other (disproved 1989, then McDo withdrew from Russia 2022)

By how much did world exports of manufactured goods increase from 2006 to 2016?

$3 trillion

How much has FDI increased in the last 20 years?

$1100 billion

What percentage of global trade do LDCs make up?

Less than 1%

How much faster has world trade grown compared to world production since 1980?

Twice as fast

How many individual sovereign states are there in the world?

Nearly 200

What is the biggest supporter of the Fairtrade social movement?

Co-op supermarket

What percentage of world income is earned by 40% of people?

94%

What is the impact of US cotton subsidies on farmers in Burkina Faso?

Makes their lives harder due to competition

What percentage of global trade is TNCs responsible for?

80%

What percentage of the world's wealth does the top 1% hold?

44% (bottom 50% hold 1% of wealth)

What was Coca-Cola's revenue in 2019?

Over US$37 billion

What percentage of the world population recognizes Coca-Cola?

94%

In how many countries is Coca-Cola sold?

200

What is the concept of monoculturalisation in Coca-Cola's marketing? and disembedding?

monoculturalisation: Promoting it as a universal commodity

disembedding: specialising advertising to local area eg different regions of India - changing language on coke cans for local area

What trade agreement links 450 million people and generates $20.8 trillion?

USMCA/NAFTA

What was the job impact of USMCA/NAFTA?

Created 5 million new US jobs but lost jobs in manufacturing, Mexicans lost farms so worked in maquiladora program, offshoring in Mexico

What is OPEC?

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries

What was the purpose of the European Union when it was signed in 1950?

To promote peace among six nations.

How many members does the European Union have today?

28 members.

What benefits does free trade within the EU provide?

Ease of transporting goods and services, a huge market of 500 million, inward investment, and freedom of movement for workers.

What are some challenges faced by the EU?

Poor income distribution, agricultural overproduction leading to low prices, inconsistent adoption of European Law, and immigration debates.

Which countries do not use the euro as their single currency?

UK, Denmark, and Sweden.

What is ASEAN?

Association of Southeastern Asian Nations, formed in 1967 with 10 nations.

What is the aim of ASEAN?

To increase economic growth, social progress, protect regional peace, and resolve differences peacefully.

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?

A trade agreement among 12 nations around the Pacific Ocean established in 2015.

What percentage of the global economy does the TPP represent?

40%.

What are some protections included in the TPP?

Worker protections such as minimum wage and working hours, and environmental safeguards.

What role does the International Monetary Fund (IMF) play?

Oversees the global financial system and offers assistance to its members.

How does the World Bank promote economic development?

By providing long-term investment loans to reduce poverty.

What is the function of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

Facilitates global trade by reducing barriers and acting as an arbitrator.

When was the WTO founded?

1995.

What was the significance of the 'Bali Package' achieved by the WTO in 2013?

It was the first multilateral trade agreement in 20 years focused on trade facilitation.

What is the headquarters/R&D location of Apple Inc.?

California. (agglomeration)

Where is Apple's manufacturing primarily located?

China, by Foxconn company. (due to large source of highly skilled, hard working, low paid workers, attracted to Shenzen - successful Special Economic Zone)

What is Coca-Cola's global presence?

Founded in 1886, it operates in 200 countries.

What social and economic contributions does Coca-Cola make in India?

Employs locals, invests in community programs, and pays taxes. Invested $1bn into India.

What environmental issues has Coca-Cola faced in India?

Closure of a bottling plant due to groundwater extraction concerns.

What did the 2003 Kerala High Court direct Hindustan Coca-Cola to do?

Find alternative sources of water for its bottling plant.

What type of mining does Vedanta engage in?

Copper, zinc, aluminium mining, smelting, and refining. - one of FTSE top 100 firms

In which countries does Vedanta operate?

UK, India, Australia, Netherlands, and Mauritius.

What was Vedanta's revenue in 2015?

$12.9 billion.

What did Vedanta propose to build in Niyamgiri mountain?

A bauxite mine and an $8.1 billion alumina refinery plant.

Why do indigenous tribes oppose the mining in Niyamgiri?

They believe the mountain is a living god and claim to have been involuntarily displaced. 200 villages there.

What was the outcome of the 2013 Supreme Court ruling regarding Vedanta's mining?

It ordered the state government to organize Gram Sabhas where locals rejected the mine.

What did the Indian government do in 2014 regarding Vedanta's mining?

Blocked Vedanta and OMC from mining following objections. (though the government owes the TNC bauxite now)

What is the Gini index of China as of 2022?

36.7. (has become more equal in last 20yrs)

What percentage of China's citizens worked in agriculture in 2012?

35%.

how is china trying to reduce the urban-rural income gap after allowing coastal areas to develop faster?

wants to lift 40mill ppl out of rural poverty, since 2004 it has: raised min wages for migrant workers, tax cuts for rural workers, labour contract laws and tried to force labour intensive industries to move to rural areas

changes to State Owned Enterprises

keeping profits for investment and management, many privatised - attracted foreign TNCs and FDI, more westernisation in operations, China starting to specialise

China Special Economic Zones

designated areas of fast economic development eg Shenzhen, have special regulations, fewer restrictions, offer higher wages

What is the Hukou system in China?

A household registration document that restricts social benefits to one's origin city. Embeds inequalities between rural-urban population

What percentage of India's population lives in severe poverty?

>20%.

What is the Gini index trend in India from 2011 to 2022?

It decreased from 28 to 25, indicating more equality.

What is the proportion of informal employment in India?

It has the highest proportion of informal employment of all emerging markets.

What are Special Economic Zones in China?

Designated areas of fast economic development with special regulations and fewer restrictions.

What was the impact of China's economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping?

China became a 'socialist market economy' and opened its market to foreign investors.

What is the unemployment rate comparison between China and India?

China's unemployment rate is higher than India's.

What is a significant challenge faced by rural migrants in China?

They often cannot access healthcare or education in cities.

What are the requirements for foreign TNCs to operate in India?

Must set up in cities with <1 million people, state government agreement, and 30% local sourcing.

What was the trade situation between the USA and China?

They were locked in a trade battle with tariffs imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods.

What is the perception in China regarding the US's actions?

There is a perception that the US is trying to curb China's rise as a global economic power.

What does China wish to protect on the internet?

Its values and political ideas from other ideologies.

Which major platforms are blocked in China?

Google, Facebook, Wikipedia, Instagram, Netflix, The Guardian, WhatsApp.

What is WeChat?

A Chinese equivalent of WhatsApp with 900 million users, where conversations are monitored.

What is 'The Great Firewall'?

China's censorship system that blocks thousands of sites.

What is 'cyber sovereignty'?

Xi's push for tighter government controls on information access for Chinese citizens.

How does China monitor private messages on WeChat?

By blocking content in real time.

What is China's investment strategy overseas?

China has over $1.2 trillion to invest in various sectors globally.

What is the significance of Chinese trade with Africa?

China trades $200 billion per year with Africa, importing oil and minerals.

What percentage of the South China Sea does China claim?

90% of the area.

What has been the impact of the USA-China trade war?

Both countries imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

What natural disaster disrupted supply chains in 2011?

The Japan Tsunami.

Which companies were affected by the 2011 Japan Tsunami?

Honda, Toyota, Sony, and Panasonic.

What was the impact of the Global Credit Crunch of 2007/08?

Financial assets shed more than $50 trillion worldwide.

What disaster occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010?

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

What caused flights to be grounded in 2010?

The Icelandic Volcano ash cloud.

What was the consequence of the ash cloud for Kenyan farmers?

They went out of business due to inability to export produce.

What is the impact of child labor reports on companies?

They can destroy reputations.

What is a criticism of NAFTA in Mexico?

It has created inequality, benefiting industrialized northern states over the south.

What has been the effect of the Everything but Arms agreement for Cambodia?

Cambodia's garment exports to the EU increased significantly.

What is the expected outcome for Cambodia after graduating out of LDC status?

It will have a 3-year grace period to adjust.

What is a major challenge for Cambodia's competitiveness?

Competing with Vietnam's free trade with the EU.

What is the significance of ASEAN for trade?

ASEAN could decrease potential losses for America and Eastern Europe through increased trade.

How much did EU member states lose on imported duty tax for Cambodian exports?

A combined amount of 250 million euros.

What loophole exists in the SDT regarding Cambodian rice exports?

Cheap rice from neighboring countries is mixed with Cambodian rice to illegitimately benefit from the SDT.

What action did the European Commission take regarding Chinese bikes exported through Cambodia?

Imposed 48.5% import duties on Cambodian bike imports.

What is the 4th most important food product in LDCs?

Bananas.

How many people rely on bananas as a staple food?

400 million people.