Vast communications networks have opened up greater markets worldwide
(Cadmium)

Globalisation

When news of the Asian tsunami spread around the world, the response was astonishing. Individuals dug deep into their pockets. They offered practical help and found out more using the internet. This reflected some of the changes in our world as a result of globalisation.

Globalisation is not new. Our journey to today’s high-speed links across the world started with trade routes like the Silk Road. This was where the Romans and Chinese travelled and traded with each other in the 2nd century BC. Networks between people and places grew over the centuries. But things really began to change rapidly in the 1800s with the invention of railways and steamships. Entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to transport goods and people. Trade grew until the next dramatic change – new technology.

Technology has given us a single, global marketplace. Money and information can be moved around the world with the click of a mouse.

The key to all of this is vast, cheap communication networks, which have opened up new ways to do business. India has become home to our call centres as costs are low – yet fewer than 1% of Indians have access to the internet.

Internet use is exploding. Worldwide access is expected to reach one billion users this year. People the world over now have access to more consumer goods and they move to where the work is – often overseas. Globalisation has made the international economy bigger and the world a smaller place.