AO1 (3 marks)/AO2 9 marks)

Marking instructions
Markers must apply the descriptors in line with the general marking guidance and the qualities outlined in the levels-based mark scheme below.
Responses that demonstrate only AO1 without any AO2 should be awarded marks as follows:

Level 1 AO1 performance: 1 mark
Level 2 AO1 performance: 2 marks
Level 3 AO1 performance: 3 marks.

Indicative content guidance
The indicative content below is not prescriptive and candidates are not required to include all of it. Other relevant material not suggested below must also be credited. Relevant points may include:

AO1

Global shift of manufacturing and services has brought social benefits (waged work, poverty reduction, education and training, spending on health, improved housing/water/services) to Asia.
Social costs include impacts on health and wellbeing, including mental health, air and water pollution from the shift of industry.
Mass migration to cities occurs to meet the demand for labour in factories.
Deindustrialised regions face depopulation, crime and high unemployment.
Increased development results from globalisation, but also widening inequality in both economic and social criteria.

AO2

Global shift has impacts on places that lose industry (deindustrialised regions e.g. northern England, Midlands, Northern Ireland, Clydeside, Ruhr, Rustbelt USA). Negative social consequences quickly follow the immediate economic impacts and can contribute to a spiral of decline.
Global shift brings benefits to places where industry and services locate, through both offshoring and outsourcing of TNCs. Jobs are created, infrastructure is improved and wealth can trickle down through the region and communities, leading to social benefits.
Social benefits follow with access to education and health care, and spending on housing and access to clean water.
Benefits too have come to places where regeneration has allowed creation of new industry and redevelopment in IT and digital media,often linked to investment via local universities (e.g. Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds).
Benefit to places losing industry due to less pollution hence better health/ cleaned up environments with new leisure activities available.
Social mobility and aspiration are facilitated in both deindustrialised and newly industrialised places.
Issues about rapid migration to megacities with overcrowding as provision of housing and services is exceeded by numbers.
However, long hours and exploitative work practices mean social problems occur (mental health and stress). Families may be divided if working age people relocate for work, leaving elderly and children isolated in rural areas. Judgment might be that global shift can leave lasting social problems in both the ‘loser’ and ‘winner’ areas. Social benefits are certainly there for some but may create greater inequality.

Note: answers which fail to focus on social costs/benefits are unlikely to reach upper Level 2.

Impacts of Globalisation (Edexcel A Level Geography)

Topic Questions