The globalized world, Quiz Example

Multiple choice, true/False, and fill in the blanks: (10×3= 30)

Mark the correct answers or simply type the right answer

1. Global politics includes issues affecting: Financial Health, Physical Environment, and Personal Security.
   • True
   • False
2. The major theories in Global Politics are:
   • Realist, Liberal, World Systems, Constructivism, Feminist theories
   • Constructivism, Feminist theories
   • Financial, Feminist Theories
   • Liberal, World Systems theories
3. World Systems Theory argues that the traditional nation-state is replaced by a world-system with opposing groups of countries
   • True
   • False
4. The levels-of-analysis include: Individuals, States, and the ____________
   • International System
   • Internal System
   • Institutional system
   • Inter-judicial System
5. Failed and weak states have appeared in recent decades due to ending of empires.
   • True
   • False

1. An important behavior of IGOs is the possibility of imposing ________as a disciplinary tool for belligerent nations.
   • Sanctions
   • Rules
   • Obligations
   • Discipline

1. The essay Politics as a Vocation was written by ___________.
   • Max Weber
   • Michel Foucault
   • Jurgen Habermas
   • Pierre Bourdieu
2. ___________ is an excellent example of a non-U.S. news network, rivaling global media giants such as CNN and BBC.
   • Al Jazeera
   • France 24
   • RT
   • Reuters
3. In March of 2014, Russia annexed___________.
   • Astana
   • Darhan<
   • Crimea
   • Georgia
4. Which of these are not examples of soft power?
   • bribing
   • international grants
   • foreign aid
   • 10 percent cultural exchanges

Short answers: (Attempt any 5×10= 50)

(500 words each; focus on the quality; use a lot of examples)

Question 1: What are some examples of globalization existing in our world today?

Multinational corporations such as Apple and Amazon are examples of globalization today. These multinational corporations operate on different continents and have branches that offer customer services. For example, Apple stores in France, Italy, and the UK enable customers from those regions to access the company’s innovations. Amazon also contains offices in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, which handle the company’s operations. Amazon and Apple have gone global to expand operations and invest in new opportunities. Indeed, globalization creates new markets for corporations intending to reach new audiences. Amazon and Apple have reached international markets as they have globalized their operations to reach emerging markets. As a result, Amazon and Apple have established new customer segments, enhanced investments, increased sales, and generated more revenue.

Another example is outsourcing production to facilitate economic development in other countries. Powerful organizations in developed countries have outsourced production to developing countries to enhance economic development. For example, Apple is an American corporation, but its production occurs in China. Apple reduces its operation costs by outsourcing production to developing countries. China’s economic development has grown to surpass other economies as the country relies on outsourcing. India has also benefitted from outsourcing as corporations from developed countries have set up production plants within its boundaries. Outsourcing production from developed to developing countries enhances economic development by increasing job accessibility. China and India are among the countries with the largest populations worldwide. Outsourcing brings new jobs and enables citizens in China and India to access opportunities to better their lives.

The third example of globalization in today’s world is global economic blocks. Countries have joined different economic blocks to access resources and enhance economic development. The European Union (EU) is an example of an economic block with 27 countries. EU countries can access resources for innovations and move goods across borders without limitations. The Pacific Alliance is also a regional economic bloc with four countries: Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia. Countries under an economic bloc access capital and labor without restrictions. Economic blocs such as the Pacific Alliance and EU have frameworks that govern trading. For instance, member countries can import and export goods without hindrances. Economic blocs facilitate globalized service delivery by enabling organizations from different countries to deliver services and access capital to enhance operations.

The last example of globalization in today’s world is international forwarding by freight companies. Freight companies like DHL and DSV Global have delivered globalized services through multi-country expansion. For instance, a consumer in the UK can access goods from the UK through delivery by freight companies. Freight companies coordinate with organizations to ship products to different destinations where consumers can access purchased products. Countries have undergone economic development as they facilitate freight forwarding. Air, land, and sea freight facilitate the international movement of products to enhance their consumption in different regions. Consumers do not have to travel to access and consume products as freight companies facilitate freight forwarding among countries. Therefore, the global freight network has globalized service delivery by enhancing production and distribution across national boundaries.

Question 2: How is the United States part of a globalized world?

The United States is part of the globalized world through importation and exportation. For decades, the United States has remained a global economic leader through economic engagement with other countries. Through the Free Trade Agreements, the US has agreed to multilateral and bilateral trading deals with other countries. Trading agreements have been pivotal in enhancing economic development and improving Americans’ living standards. The Us has opened its borders to facilitate importation through low tariffs. The US imports foreign goods such as machinery and crude oil. In order to keep the country’s inflation in check, the American government maintains low tariffs to prevent surplus imports from circulating in its economy. The Federal Reserve also controls interest rates to prevent the influx of foreign currencies that could be detrimental to the US economy.

The US encourages a domestic boom in investment by creating a suitable environment that enables foreign investors to invest in the economy. Countries such as the UK, Canada, and Japan have invested in the US through the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) initiative. The US economy has immensely benefitted from FDI as it is considered the best compared with other global economies. The US government assures foreign investors freedom through friendly policies that encourage foreign investors to invest in the economy. The US’s efficient market system has enabled the government to enhance innovations and expand its economic system. US companies have gained a competitive advantage over other corporations as they have benefitted from FDI to access funding sources, enhance innovations and deliver global services.

Economic interdependence between the US and other countries also indicates that it is part of the globalized world. Although the US’s economic interdependence with other countries invokes criticism, the US has participated in creating international institutions. For instance, the US helped create the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been pivotal in financing developing countries. IMF provides emergency loans and negotiates repayment terms to enhance economic development among countries. The US is the major financier of the IMF, enabling the international organization to obtain funds for executing its functions. The US also helped create the World Trade Organization (WTO), which solves trading disputes among countries. The US maintains its position in the globalized world by being integral in solving trading disputes and enhancing development in other countries.

The US has also shaped the global economy by imposing sanctions on countries that violate international legislation. For example, in 2020, the US imposed economic sanctions on China due to human rights abuses. The US also imposed financial embargoes on North Korea and Iran due to neglect of global concerns about their nuclear activities. The US government strives to maintain international stability and protect the world economy by punishing countries. The US’s dominance in the international system prevents future recklessness among countries that endanger people. Embargoes and sanctions have promoted international stability by shaping how countries conduct economic and political practices to ensure they do not threaten humanity. Countries are compelled to uphold international legislation as failure results in punishments that the US government enforces.

Question 3: Why did Russia launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022?

Theorists and analysts have postulated different reasons why Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. An example of a worthwhile explanation is Russia’s desire to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. Russia intends to achieve Ukraine’s demilitarization by preventing it from joining NATO and accessing foreign military aid. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 but annexed Crimea since it was not a full-scale invasion. In 2022, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine aimed at destabilizing the country due to its failure to meet its security demands. During the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014, Russia had drafted security guarantees that Ukraine was to meet. Yet, President Zelensky’s inclination to the West implied that it wanted to join NATO and dishonor Russia’s security demands. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 to prevent the Ukrainian government from joining NATO, as this would result in security vulnerabilities.

Diplomatic disputes between the US and Russia also necessitated President Putin to approve a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia-US relations have deteriorated since Trump’s presidency as Americans believe Russians interfered with the 2016 US elections. Foreign interference of Ukraine’s government since the 2014 Crimean crisis heightened tensions between the US and Russia. Ukraine has become a cornerstone of the Russia-US disputes as the two superpowers intend to enhance their influence. President Biden’s reluctance to promote strategic foreign relations with Russia might have contributed to Ukraine’s full-scale invasion. President Biden supported President Zelensky’s presidency, implying that the US had interests in Ukraine. This, in turn, prompted President Putin to invade Ukraine to prevent the US from realizing its strategic interests in the region.

Russia also invaded Ukraine as President Putin denied its statehood by indicating that it was fictional. President Putin believes Ukraine was previously under Russia, implying it was not a sovereign state. Modern Ukraine has constantly advocated for de-communization through President Zelensky’s inclination to the West. Ukraine had previously upheld Russia’s communism policy, as most Ukrainians were affiliated with Russia. Yet, President Zelensky disregarded communism, and this provoked President Putin, who dismissed Ukraine’s sovereignty. President Putin rejected modern Ukraine’s sovereignty as he intended to unite it with Russia. Although the international community warned President Putin of his pronunciation, he was not deterred from invading modern Ukraine. President Putin approved a full-scale invasion to prevent Ukraine’s de-communization to ensure it upheld Russia’s communism policy.

Russia also invaded Ukraine in 2022 to enhance its denazification and destroy Ukrainians. President Putin has constantly criticized Ukraine’s neo-Nazi government, which was why he stressed that the Russian military’s operations in Ukraine were aimed at denazification. President Zelensky is Jewish, which is why he is unpopular in Russia. President Putin invaded Ukraine and justified the invasion using denazification. Russia had previously suffered during World War II under Nazi Germany. Russia considers Ukrainians as successors of Nazi Germany, which was why it invaded Ukraine to facilitate its denazification. Russia’s denazification policy aims at toppling the Ukrainian government and liberating Ukrainians. Russia’s denazification policy has been justified by the Russian military’s aggression in Ukraine. Russian soldiers have invaded major Ukrainian parts, destroyed infrastructure, and killed Ukrainians. Resistance from Ukrainians amplified the Russian military’s aggression to destroy infrastructure and lives.

Question 6: People must accept the state’s power to govern: Discuss.

In political philosophy, the state can only govern people if they consent to the government’s authority. People can legitimize or illegitimate states by accepting or declining governments. The rule of law permits people to remain proactive in governance for leaders to meet their needs. People serve as the ultimate overseer of state functions to ensure the government enforces legitimate decisions. A state’s legitimacy is enhanced when there are free citizens who do not feel enslaved. State governments safeguard people’s rights, as failure to meet people’s needs would result in their illegitimacy. States are legitimate as people have accepted the government’s formation and rule. People’s failure to consent to governments would result in state failure and illegitimate governments lacking political authority.

A state derives its sovereignty from the people who consent to a government’s formation and its exercise of authority to govern them. Locke’s popular sovereignty is useful in explaining how states derive their political power. Locke believed that states succeed when they enforce policies that invoke happiness and enhance safety among people. Democratic leaders govern people, but they are elected when states recognize democratic ideas. Freedom is an example of a democratic ideal upheld by democratic leaders governing states. People influence the state’s political power by electing leaders who have to meet their needs. Democratic states derive their power from free people who uphold their democratic ideal of political participation. Modern states uphold democracy which is why people consent to democratic leaders’ rule because they elected them.

The constitution legitimizes states by limiting state actors’ powers to protect people’s rights. People participate in enacting a constitution that governs state operations. The constitution contains guidelines on the government’s formation and people’s participation in electing leaders into governance. People accept legitimate governments when they uphold constitutionalism. The people can oppose the government’s formation if there is no constitutionalism. The constitution also upholds political legitimacy by creating political systems and stipulating how they operate. The constitution stipulates that people possess sovereign power enabling them to participate in state formation to ensure the government addresses their grievances. States have political legitimacy as, through state agents, they can exercise power and govern people. State actors fulfill their constitutional roles by fulfilling human rights. People praise state actors when they uphold a legal government and respect rights.

The state has the authority to regulate people’s behaviors and protect its territories through the law. Although people possess the state’s sovereign power, state actors can enforce legislation that affects them. The law justifies the state’s authority over the people, enabling the state government to govern the people. Yet, the state cannot enforce controversial laws as public criticism and opposition might result in anarchy. Participation is a key attribute of state government which is met when people participate in law-making. The state government’s arms, such as the legislature and judiciary, regulate state functions based on statutory authorization established in existing legislation. The law facilitates effective governance by ensuring state governments are transparent and accountable. This, in turn, enables people to support state governments as their legitimate policies benefit everyone.

Question 9: COVID-19 has changed the way global politics work: Discuss.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s outbreak in 2020 disrupted global governance through policy responses to prevent infections. Multi-level governments across countries were essential in protecting people and combating the disease burden. The pandemic created social and economic challenges that compelled global governments to operate under radical uncertainty. In order to protect the world’s population from the disease burden, governments enforced travel restrictions and containment measures. Global economies were under lockdown to safeguard lives by combating the pandemic. Global governance through inter-governmental coordination helped manage the pandemic. Governments, through policy responses, implemented national measures to respond to the health crisis that the pandemic created. The pandemic compelled governments to collaborate in enforcing fiscal rules and national measures to prevent infections and protect humanity, as COVID-19 is highly fatal.

The pandemic also led to new opportunities for coordination between developed and developing countries to address the health crisis. Superpowers had previously enforced fragmented policies to protect their interests. However, the pandemic compelled superpowers to enact similar policies to protect the global economic system. China and the US are superpowers that enforced rules and standards that had positive implications for other countries. Policymakers from different countries embraced policies that created an inclusive global system to enable economies to recover from the pandemic. The pandemic facilitated coordination among non-state actors, such as scientists and civil societies, to respect policy autonomy while developing a cure that would benefit everyone. State and non-state actors collaborated to respect legitimate demands and create global rules that would benefit countries equally.

The pandemic created an alarming health crisis and a global medical emergency that called for international participation to manage the disease burden. Yet, striking variations in infections influenced countries’ participation in global governance to prevent the pandemic. Misinformation about the pandemic also hindered countries from enhancing international responses to manage the global health crisis. The pandemic created a tense environment that illuminated issues the global community could face in the future. This led to reforms in global responses to the pandemic spearheaded by the United Nations (UN). The UN enforced reforms to manage the pandemic, and through the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it enacted market-friendly reforms to benefit nations adversely affected by COVID-19. The pandemic eliminated power imbalances in global governance by compelling the international community to enforce reform agendas to address the health and economic crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic also created social and political disruption and led to a delicate balance between lives and livelihoods. Political disruption compelled countries to democratize works when they were re-opening after the pandemic. International leaders believed that by democratizing work, they would solve economic inequality as economies opened after the pandemic’s slowdown. The pandemic taught life lessons about dignifying lives and respecting everyone. Before the pandemic, racial slurs were widespread, which resulted in economic inequalities that disadvantaged racial groups. For instance, Blacks were discriminated against and disadvantaged by capital investors. The pandemic created an unsustainable economy that compelled people to reflect on inequalities and prevented them, ensuring everyone benefitted from workplace democracy. People have set goals to facilitate inclusive participation in governance to ensure that everyone affected by the pandemic accesses enhancement opportunities.

How have you enjoyed the course so far? How is your interaction with the instructor and the course materials? Provide some feedback. (20)

(between 100- 200 words)

I have enjoyed the course by learning theories and concepts related to the global economic system. Realism, feminism, and liberalism theories enabled me to understand global politics and how they are conducted. The course enabled me to understand global politics and how governments have promoted international stability. I did not incur major challenges throughout this course as I was committed to learning. My commitment enabled me to understand course concepts and increase my understanding of global politics.

My interaction with the instructor and course materials has been enriching. My instructor simplified concepts, enabling me to understand the course materials. Discussions helped me apply learned concepts from the course material to enhance mastery of the module. My instructor helped me understand new ideas and principles by recommending course materials that could help solve my queries. I became knowledgeable of global politics as I engaged with my instructor and course materials to enhance my understanding of the module.