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Globalization: Its Effects Key Drivers and Supporting Theories

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Globalization: Its Effects, Key Drivers and Supporting Theories Globalization according to Johnson (2009) can be defined in several ways and hence the term cannot be said to have an assigned definition. In this text, the definition that will be adopted was the one given approximately 15 years ago by the World Economic Outlook in which case globalization according to Johnson (2009) was termed:
"the growing interdependence of countries world-wide through the increasing volume and variety of cross-border transactions in goods and services and of international capital flows, and also through the more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology." There exists a number of traditional international trade theories that in one way or the other support the globalization concept. One of these theories is mercantilism which is largely based on the view that nations should export more (while discouraging imports) so as to accumulate wealth (Peng, 2010). With enhanced exports comes increased cross-border transactions. Yet another traditional international trade theory in this case is the absolute advantage theory which according to Peng (2010) was mainly advocated by Adam Smith. In basic terms, the theory has got to do with the ability of a given nation to be more efficient than another nation in the production of a certain product. As Peng (2010) points out, free trade allows or permits a nation to specialize "in economic activities in which that nation has an absolute advantage."

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