How can the degree of globalisation and connectivity of a place be measured and mapped?
Apply indices, maps and spatial technologies to measure and represent global connectivity
A focused WACE Year 12 Geography answer on measuring globalisation. Covers globalisation indices, flow-line and network maps, world-city rankings, and the spatial-technology and data skills used to represent connectivity in the exam.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
What this dot point is asking
SCSA wants you to know how the abstract idea of globalisation is turned into measurable data, how that data is mapped and ranked, and how to interpret such material in stimulus questions. This is a skills-focused dot point that appears constantly in the external paper.
Measuring globalisation with indices
Because globalisation is made of many flows, it is measured by combining indicators into an index.
Composite indices such as the KOF globalisation index score countries on economic, social and political connection. They reveal that small, open trading economies often rank highly, while large or isolated economies may rank lower despite their size. Such indices make comparison possible, but combining very different flows into one number hides detail and embeds value judgements about weighting.
Mapping flows and networks
Connectivity is most vividly shown through maps and diagrams.
- Flow-line maps use arrows whose width is proportional to the size of a flow, ideal for trade, migration or remittances.
- Network diagrams show nodes (places) and links (connections), capturing the structure of air routes, cables or trade.
- Choropleth maps shade areas by a connectivity value, such as internet penetration.
- Proportional symbol maps size symbols by a quantity, such as foreign investment received.
World cities and network rankings
Connectivity is also measured at the city scale. World-city or global-city rankings classify cities by their role in global finance, services and connectivity, identifying top-tier command centres such as New York, London, Tokyo and Singapore. These rankings show that globalisation concentrates control in a network of dominant cities rather than spreading evenly.
Spatial technologies and critical interpretation
GIS, satellite imagery and digital mapping let geographers layer and analyse connectivity data, for instance overlaying internet access on population. When interpreting any such representation, evaluate the source, the date, the units and what is left out. Informal flows, illegal trade and unrecorded migration are real but hard to measure, so the maps and indices always understate parts of reality.
A strong answer treats measurement as essential but imperfect, using indices, maps and rankings as evidence while acknowledging their limits.