Question

A. Present one recent instance (within the last 50 years only) whereby a language, custom or national culture has been lost or diminished by the elimination or blurring of an existing border via globalization. (Please select non-U.S. examples)
b. By extension, how have global oligopolies benefited from the decrease in local competition?

Answer 1

Answer: 1. A. China in Zambia

B. Increased Market Share

Explanation:

A. China in Zambia

For years now many have worried about Chinese influence in China and what they view as subtle attempts by China to engage in modern day Colonialism through methods such as Predatory Loaning practices.

One glaring example is that of Zambia.

There are several ways in which the Chinese have established a foothold in Zambia and are making the country lose its sovereignty and national culture.

1. Loans for Infrastructure

China has invested massively in Zambia which is a big Copper exporter to enable them mine and capture the Copper that Zambia has for use in production in China. In the last 6 years, Zambia has embarked on over 29 projects all funded by about $9 billion in Chinese loans. With such loans being owed, the amount of Chinese influence will be great.

2. Small Scale Entrepreneurs

Chinese people have emigrated to Zambia in droves and some of them have started street level businesses also called Chinese Shops where they sell every day goods ranging from AA batteries to bicycles. These put pressure and compete with local Entrepreneurs who might not be able to get those goods as cheaply as the Chinese can from China. This as well as the importation of Chinese goods and services to feed the Chinese people involved has led to Zambian adopting Chinese foods and goods for themselves as well.

3. Political Interference

With such a huge investment in Zambia, many have noted with concern that China often meddles in the politics of the Southern African nations by picking candidates that will be more friendly to their Economic aspirations. This directly leads to a loss of sovereignty as well as an erosion in the independence of the national culture.

2. Oligopolies refer to firms that exist in an industry that has very few competitors and with the less competitions have a chance to make huge profits. Getting into the industries they operate in can be quite difficult due to high start-up costs as well as already well established competition. These include industries like the Motor and Aeroplane manufacturing industries.

As a result of Globalization, these companies have spread across the globe and as they are already established, they have the unique opportunity to charge less for their goods due to Economies of Scale. This allowed them to discourage local manufacturers in the newer companies they came to which could not hope to compete with such giants. This enabled the Oligopolies to capture the market share that the local competitors gave up thereby increasing the market share of these Oligopolies and by extension their Profitability.