1. Liberal Studies Data response question

2. (a)(i) According to the cartoon in Source 1, describe the development trend of anti-globalization movements.(4 marks) The cartoon reflects that anti-globalization movements involve many countries, including not only developing countries like India, the Philippines and Indonesia, but also developed countries like Japan and Singapore.(4 marks)

3. (ii) Referring to the previous question, what phenomenon does this trend reflect? Explain. (4 marks) Such trend shows that under globalization, developing countries are subject to injustice more often than developed countries. Such injustice includes unfair trade brought about by the liberalization of trade; and the demand made by affluent countries in international organizations that developing countries open up their markets and eliminate tariffs, by means of their political and economic strength. Yet, on the other hand, developed countries subsidize their domestic products so that they can be dumped to developing countries, therefore affecting the livelihood of the people there.(4 marks)

4. b) Referring to Sources 2 and 3, what are the reasons behind people’s organization of anti-globalization movements? Explain. (4 marks) Free answers. Any reasonable answers are acceptable. According to the sources, people organize anti- globalization movements to oppose the injustice brought about by globalization. To specify, they mainly object to the practice among affluent Western countries of bridging the principle of fair trade and oppressing and marginalizing weaker countries in order to maximize their profits in the global market, so that developing countries can hardly compete with them.

5. These people launch anti-globalization movements also because they are dissatisfied that capitalism under globalization has resulted in the practice that some countries and enterprises overlook the protection of the ecological environment and affect people’s quality of life in the pursuit of economic development. Meanwhile, in order to attract foreign investment, developing countries usually have loose protection of domestic labour rights and are lenient towards enterprises’ treatment of workers. As a result, enterprises can exploit workers’ salary and other rights in order to minimize production cost and maximize profit. These also stimulate some people to launch anti-globalization movements to arouse people’s attention of the above problems of injustice.(4 marks)

6. (c) ‘Anti-globalization movements not only help improve the quality of life in Hong Kong society, but they can also strengthen people’s life skills.’ Explain your opinion on this statement with reference to the sources and based on your knowledge. (8 marks) Free answers. Any reasonable answers are acceptable. This statement is reasonable. Regarding the improvement of the quality of life in Hong Kong society, the quality of life includes economic, environmental, political, social and cultural aspects. Globalization poses different levels of negative impact on these aspects of the quality of life. For example, the liberalization of trade encouraged by globalization has given rise to the practice that some public services in Hong Kong are outsourced to private companies. However, these companies have unreasonable treatment to their workers, as they are not subject to government regulations. Therefore, problems like the working poor, underemployment and exploitation in terms of salary are created. Moreover, under globalization, cultural products from around the world are transmitted into local societies through advanced information technology.

7. Some foreign cultures, such as fast food culture and clothing brands, become more influential because of the sales strategies of enterprises, so that local residents can accept them more easily. This poses a certain threat on local cultural heritance and cultural diversity. Therefore, people can force related stakeholders like the government and enterprises to face and solve the above problems through joining anti-globalization movements. Regarding the enhancement of individual life skills, people with different backgrounds can come into contact while participating in anti-globalization movements. They can therefore acquire new knowledge and modes of thinking through interaction with on another. They also have a chance to organize and coordinate the movements. These can all help people extend their interpersonal network, broaden their horizons and enhance a variety of generic skills.(8 marks)