Why are countries increasingly interdependent, and what issues require international cooperation?
Interdependence and globalisation: why countries are increasingly dependent on one another, the causes of globalisation, and the global issues, such as trade, the environment and security, that require international cooperation.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to interdependence and globalisation. Covers why countries increasingly depend on one another, the causes of globalisation including trade, technology and travel, and the global issues such as the economy, the environment, conflict and disease that require international cooperation.
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain why countries are increasingly dependent on one another and which global issues require international cooperation. CCEA examiners reward a clear definition of interdependence, an understanding of the causes of globalisation (trade, technology, travel and communication), and precise examples of the global problems, economic, environmental, security and health, that cross borders. This dot point sets up the rest of Unit 2, which looks at the organisations created to manage interdependence.
What interdependence means
What globalisation means
The deepening of interdependence is driven by globalisation.
The causes of globalisation
Several forces have driven globalisation and so increased interdependence.
Global issues that require cooperation
Because the world is interdependent, many problems cross borders and can only be tackled together.
- The economy and trade. Recessions, trade disputes and the actions of large companies affect many countries at once, so economic cooperation matters.
- The environment. Climate change and pollution do not stop at borders, so tackling them needs global agreement and shared action.
- Conflict and security. Wars, terrorism and the movement of refugees affect whole regions and the wider world, requiring cooperation on peace and security.
- Health and disease. Diseases can spread rapidly across the globe, so responding to pandemics and global health needs international coordination.
Worked example: explaining the need for cooperation
Try this
Q1. What is interdependence? [2 marks]
- Cue. Countries depend on one another, so events in one affect others and problems cannot be solved alone.
Q2. Name two causes of globalisation. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two: trade and multinational companies, technology and communication, travel and transport.
Q3. Give two global issues that require international cooperation. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two: the economy and trade, the environment (climate change), conflict and security, health and disease.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 2 (style)4 marksExplain what is meant by interdependence.Show worked answer →
A knowledge question testing AO1. Define the term and give an example.
Definition: interdependence means that countries depend on one another, so that what happens in one country affects others. No country is fully self-sufficient or able to solve big problems alone.
Examples: countries trade goods and services with each other; they rely on one another for energy and resources; and problems such as pollution, disease and conflict cross borders.
Why it matters: because countries are interdependent, many issues can only be tackled by working together, which is why international organisations exist.
A top answer defines interdependence and links it to the need for international cooperation.
CCEA Unit 2 (style)10 marksExplain why countries are increasingly interdependent.Show worked answer →
An explanation question testing AO1 and AO2. Develop the causes.
Globalisation and trade: economies are linked through global trade and multinational companies, so goods, money and jobs flow across borders and countries rely on one another economically.
Technology and communication: the internet, instant communication and faster travel connect people and businesses worldwide, shrinking distances and tying countries together.
Shared problems: issues such as climate change, pollution, disease, terrorism and refugees cross borders and cannot be solved by one country alone, increasing the need to cooperate.
A strong answer explains economic links, technology and shared global problems, and concludes that these forces deepen interdependence.
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Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Government and Politics specification — CCEA (2017)