Globalisation — AS & A Level Sociology (9699) questions by topic
World systems theory, colonialism, cultural convergence and migration structure this A Level topic, tested through four 35-mark evaluate essays out of 32 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers.
With evaluate as the sole command word across every question, marks depend on a sustained argument for and against a stated view, drawing on named theorists such as Wallerstein, rather than a description of globalisation in general. Submitting a drafted essay for instant marking is a useful way to see whether the counter-argument to the stated view is developed with named evidence or left as a brief aside.
What examiners look for
- Strong answers use Marxist perspectives on development, including Wallerstein's world systems theory, and consider other groups who might benefit, such as migrants, women or the middle classes, before challenging the theory with modernisation theory.
- Reports praise essays on cultural convergence that use theories of Westernisation to support the stated view, then evaluate via the contrasting argument of cultural divergence and question reductionism and over-generalisation.
- Strong responses provide a detailed account of how globalisation may have led to greater inequalities between countries, supported by examples of colonial rule.
- Strong essays make good use of examples to illustrate key arguments as part of a sustained evaluation, rather than listing examples without linking them to the stated view.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
'Cultural differences between countries are disappearing as a result of globalisation.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Developing countries remain poor due to dependency on rich capitalist countries.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
'Globalisation has resulted in greater cultural diversity.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Growth in global crime has been caused by capitalist exploitation of developing societies.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
'Developing countries remain poor due to the continuing impact of colonialism.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Migrants from poor countries rarely gain any benefit from working in rich countries.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
'Only rich countries benefit from globalisation.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Globalisation has made crime harder to police.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
'Transnational organisations have contributed to an increase in global inequality.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Global migration has only negative consequences for developing countries.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 43
'Cultural differences between countries have been replaced by a single global culture.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Poor people in developing countries benefit most from global migration.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
'Governments are powerless to prevent the spread of global crime.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Developing countries are kept poor by a capitalist world system.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
'Globalisation is leading to greater cultural diversity.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Dependency theory provides the most convincing explanation of global poverty.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
'Governments are powerless to prevent the spread of global crime.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Developing countries are kept poor by a capitalist world system.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
'Globalisation has resulted in greater inequality between countries.' Evaluate this view. [35] (Answer two questions in total, each from a different section. Section A: answer…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Governments are powerless to prevent the growth of global crime.' Evaluate this view. [35] (Answer two questions in total, each from a different section. Section A: answer either…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
'Globalisation is leading to cultural convergence.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Globalisation is reducing poverty in developing societies.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 42
'Capitalism is the main reason for the growth in global crime.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Modernisation theory provides the best explanation of why some countries remain poor.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 43
'Only the rich and powerful benefit from globalisation.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Aid programmes are ineffective in reducing poverty in developing countries.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
'Cultural differences between people are disappearing as a result of globalisation.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'The main factor behind the rise in global crime is Western exploitation of developing societies.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
'Global inequality is best explained by the continuing impact of colonialism.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'Global migration has entirely negative consequences for migrant groups.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
'Cultural differences between people are disappearing as a result of globalisation.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →'The main factor behind the rise in global crime is Western exploitation of developing societies.' Evaluate this view. [35]
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Sociology topics
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- Media (32)