Political Science Notes Chapter 2 Class 12 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – Political Science Class 12

Key Concepts and Issues since 1991: Globalisation

What is Globalisation?

Globalisation means the world is more connected due to changes after 1991.
It started after events like the fall of the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe changes (1989), and the Kuwait crisis (1990).
It involves economic, political, social, cultural, and technological changes.
The world is described as a post-Cold War era or post-Soviet world order.
Globalisation makes countries, people, and events interlinked—what happens in one place affects others.

Key Features of Globalisation

1. Increased Interconnectedness:

Countries and people are more connected through trade, communication, and technology.
Example: Indian companies like Tata invest in the UK, and foreign companies like Microsoft invest in India.

2. Role of the State:

Some say the importance of the state (government) has reduced because of global rules and organisations.
But nationalism and the state’s role in making laws are still strong.

3. Technology and Economics:

Technology (like the internet) and trade bring countries closer.
Some believe sovereignty (a country’s control over itself) is challenged by global markets.

4. Civil Society and Non-State Actors:

Groups like NGOs (e.g., Greenpeace) or social movements work across borders to solve issues like poverty or the environment.

Areas Affected by Globalisation

1. Economic Issues

Free Flow of Finance Capital:
- Money moves easily between countries for investments.
- Indian companies like Tata and ONGC invest abroad (e.g., Tata owns Jaguar Land Rover in the UK).
- Foreign companies like Nestlé and Microsoft invest in India for things like airports or food chains (e.g., McDonald’s).
- Before the 1990s, strict government rules limited such investments, but now it’s easier.
- Why it matters for India: Foreign investment helps build industries, roads, and railways, but infrastructure (roads, airports) is more important than consumer goods (like fast food).

Changes in Trade:

Trade rules changed after the 1990s.
GATT (1948) was replaced by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995.
- WTO promotes free trade by reducing taxes on imports and settling trade disputes.
Trade now includes services (like banking, insurance) and intellectual property (like copyrights, patents).
Container cargo ships made it easier to transport huge amounts of goods worldwide.

Rise of Transnational Companies:

Companies that work in many countries are called multinational or transnational companies.
- Multinational: Has a home country (e.g., Tata from India).
- Transnational: No single home country (e.g., Nestlé).

Impacts:

More jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers (e.g., Indian workers in West Asia or the USA).
Small shops face competition from big companies but survive by providing local services.
Farmers can sell directly to companies, and new technology helps them export goods like rice, spices, and fruits.

2. Political Issues

Rise of Democracy:

After the Soviet Union’s fall (1991), many countries moved toward democracy.
Terms like Participatory State (everyone helps make decisions), Citizen-Centric Governance, and Good Governance became important.
Civil society (people and NGOs) plays a bigger role in government decisions.

Role of the State:

Some say the state’s power is reducing due to:

External factors: Global laws, WTO rules, or environmental issues.
Internal factors: Ethnic conflicts or demands from NGOs.

But the state is still important for making laws and protecting people.

Non-State Actors:

Groups like NGOs (e.g., Amnesty International) or even terrorist groups influence global issues.
They focus on problems like human rights or the environment.

Human Rights:

Protecting human rights is a big focus in globalisation.
Developed countries stress individual rights (freedom, speech).
Developing countries like India focus on social justice (food, shelter, education).
India believes human rights should match a country’s culture and history.

Examples:

India follows WTO trade rules and treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
NGOs like Greenpeace criticise India on issues like human rights in Kashmir.
Movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan raised global awareness about big dams.

Question:

Is the state still relevant in globalisation, or is its role reducing?

3. Ideological Issues

During the Cold War, countries were divided into:
- Socialist/Communist (Soviet Union, China).
- Capitalist (USA, Western Europe).

India was Democratic Socialist with a Mixed Economy (both public and private sectors).
After 1991, the world moved toward a Market Economy (business and trade-driven).

USA: Capitalist market economy.
Western Europe: Welfare market economy (focus on people’s well-being).
China: Socialist market economy (socialist but market-driven).
India: Economic liberalism (open to business but with some control).

4. Technology

Technology changed how we communicate after the 1990s.
Examples:

TV: From only Doordarshan to many private channels (e.g., CNN entered India in 1990).
Phones: From public phones and trunk calls to mobile phones and STD/ISD.
Internet: Connects people instantly, with social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

These technologies work across borders, helping NGOs, companies, and even criminals operate globally.
Example: The Arab Spring in Egypt used social media like Facebook to organise protests.

5. Social and Cultural Issues

Global media and travel have created a global cosmopolitan culture (mix of cultures).

Western influence is strong:

People eat fast food (burgers, pizzas).
Festivals like Diwali or Christmas are celebrated in modern ways.
New celebrations like Mother’s Day or Friendship Day are popular.
Clothes are more Western (jeans, t-shirts).

Individualism: People value personal space (“I want my privacy”) more than family traditions.
Materialism: Credit cards encourage spending beyond one’s means.
Urbanisation and globalisation have weakened traditional family systems.

Positive Aspects of Globalisation

More job opportunities, especially in private sectors (IT, services).
Better connectivity through the internet and phones.
Indian goods (fruits, spices) reach global markets.
Youth have access to global education and careers.
Awareness of global events and cultures.

Negative Aspects of Globalisation

Fear that the state’s welfare role (helping the poor) may reduce.
Small businesses and farmers struggle to compete with big companies.
Local cultures may weaken due to Western influence.
India’s history of opposing foreign control makes some people resist globalisation.
Risk of inequality—rich get richer, poor may suffer.

India’s Challenge

India associates foreign trade with its past under British rule, so some oppose open markets.
Socialists dislike globalisation for ideological reasons; capitalists fear losing protection.
The state must protect India’s values and ensure welfare for the poor.

Key Terms to Remember

Globalisation: World becoming more connected.
WTO: World Trade Organisation, promotes free trade.
Sovereignty: A country’s control over its laws and land.
Multinational Companies: Operate in many countries with a home base.
Transnational Companies: Operate globally without a single home country.
Market Economy: Economy driven by trade and business.
Non-State Actors: Groups like NGOs or movements that influence global issues.