Globalization
High School
Definition
The growing interconnection of the world's economies and cultures through trade, communication, and the movement of people and ideas. While it can spread wealth and technology, it also raises concerns about inequality and loss of local identity.
Worked examples
A smartphone designed in California, assembled in China with parts from Korea and Japan, then sold worldwide.
Global supply chains connect multiple countries' economies through the production of a single product.
K-pop music from South Korea gaining millions of fans across the Americas, Europe, and Africa through streaming platforms.
Cultural products now spread rapidly across borders through global communication networks.
Common mistakes
- Globalization means all cultures are becoming identical. → Globalization increases interconnection, but local cultures persist and adapt. While global influences spread, people blend global and local elements rather than simply replacing their culture.
- Globalization only helps wealthy nations and harms poorer ones. → Globalization creates both opportunities and challenges for all countries. Effects vary — some developing nations grow economically while others face exploitation; benefits are unevenly distributed.
- Globalization is a recent phenomenon starting in the 1990s. → Globalization has deep historical roots but accelerated dramatically in recent decades. Trade routes like the Silk Road connected distant regions centuries ago; modern technology intensified the process.
Where you'll use it next
You'll examine globalization when studying international trade, migration patterns, multinational corporations, environmental issues like climate change, and contemporary political debates about trade agreements and cultural preservation.
See also
International TradeCultural DiffusionGlobalization ImpactsInternational OrganizationsEconomic InequalityMigration
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026