[short_answer] Technological advancement alone does not fully account for the rapid growth of globalisation since the 1990s. Identify another major factor that worked alongside technology to enable the free movement of goods and investment across countries, and explain how these two factors together have deepened globalisation.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:27 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Besides technology, liberalisation of trade and investment policies is the other major factor that has enabled globalisation.
Governments removed trade barriers such as taxes and quotas on imports and allowed foreign companies to invest freely. This policy of liberalisation opened up markets across countries.
Together, technology and liberalisation deepened globalisation: while IT and improved transport made it physically possible to connect production and markets across borders, liberalisation removed the policy restrictions that would have blocked the free movement of goods and investment. The two factors thus complemented each other to accelerate globalisation.
Source: Chapter 4 — Globalisation and the Indian Economy, "Factors that have Enabled Globalisation" and "Summing Up"
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Explanation
- The textbook explicitly states: "liberalisation of trade and investment has facilitated globalisation by removing barriers to trade and investment" — this is the second factor examiners expect.
- The answer must name the factor, briefly explain it, and then show how both together deepened globalisation (the "explain how these two factors together" part carries marks).
- Avoid vague language like "government policies" — be specific: liberalisation / removal of trade barriers / taxes and quotas.
- WTO can be mentioned as reinforcing liberalisation at the international level, but is not compulsory here.