Question

“New technology has helped to connect the world.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

Hint:

Cover transport technology, telecommunication with satellites, and computers with the internet. Then give one concrete example such as a magazine designed in Delhi and printed in London.

Answer 1

Concept:

• Rapid improvement in technology has been one major factor that has stimulated the process of globalisation.
• Two kinds of technology matter here, the technology that moves goods and the technology that moves information.

Step 1: Transport technology brought places closer.
The past fifty years have seen several improvements in transportation technology. This has made much faster delivery of goods across long distances possible at lower costs.
Perishable goods such as fruits and flowers can now reach markets thousands of kilometres away while still fresh.

Step 2: Telecommunication removed distance altogether.
Telecommunication facilities such as the telegraph, the telephone including the mobile phone, and the fax are used to contact one another around the world, to access information instantly and to communicate from remote areas.
This has been made possible by satellite communication devices.

Step 3: Computers and the internet made information almost free to move.
Computers have now entered almost every field of activity. The internet allows people to obtain and share information on almost anything, and electronic mail and voice mail can be sent across the world at negligible cost.

Step 4: Show the effect with an example.
A news magazine published for readers in London may be designed and printed in Delhi. The text and photographs are prepared in Delhi, sent to the London office over the internet, and printed there.
The cost of designing and printing in India is low, so the publisher saves money while the reader is served on time.

Final Answer: Faster and cheaper transport carried goods across continents, satellites and telephones made instant contact possible from anywhere, and computers with the internet let information and money move at almost no cost. Together these allowed work to be divided between countries, as when a London magazine is designed in Delhi.