Around the World in 80 Questions (Day 7): The globalization of trade

Answer A
Since it talks about the economic downturns induced vulnerabilities associated with globalization for developing countries which are reliant on exports for their economic growth. This affects trade and global economics negatively

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The options (A), (B), and (C) do not weaken the proponents' argument because they can be argued as risks that developing countries face when they participate in global trade. The options (D) and (E) weaken the proponents' argument because they suggest that globalization is not as beneficial for everyone as the proponents claim. The option (E) is the most effective because it suggests that globalization may be contributing to income inequality.

Therefore, the correct answer is (E).

Proponents: International trade => increased competition => improved innovation => country specialization

Which of the following, if true, would weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics?

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. - irrelevant

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies. - does not weaken the proponent's POV

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs. - does not weaken the proponent's POV; lower labor cost is the specialization of smaller companies

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption. - irrelevant

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses. - CORRECT; since multinational corporations benefit from globalization, countries aren't benefiting from it, as the proponents suggest

My Answer: E

The question asks what would weaken the proponent's argument which is increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation and allows countries to specialise in their comparative advantages.

Option A: International trade includes both import and export and hence, this statement is insufficient and cannot be used to weaken the argument.
Option B: Nowhere does the proponent argue that increased international trade favours each country equally. Hence, not relevant.
Option C: Outsourcing of jobs is irrelevant.
Option D: The environmental impact of international trade is irrelevant.
Option E: If benefits of globalisation are flowing towards multinationals, is it really allowing the countries to develop comparative advantages? This seems correct.

The answer is E
We need to find a statement that weakens the proponents argument about the positive effects of globalisation
Statement A says that that reliance on exports can make developing countries susceptible to economic fluctuations in their main trading partners. This does not directly weaken the proponents argument.
Statement B says that global trade agreements might favour powerful nations, which could be seen as a drawback of globalisation but does not weaken the proponents argument effectively
Statement C talks about outsourcing of jobs which although true, does not weaken the argument wrt to competition, innovation and specialisation.
Statement D raises environmental degradation concerns but does not directly weaken the argument.
Statement E suggests that globalisation has favoured multinational corporations over local businesses, which could weaken the proponents' argument as it indicates a concentration of benefits in the hands of a few wealthy entities. It weakens the proponents argument directly by pointing out the disproportionate flow of benefits to multinational corporations, rather than spreading them more broadly across local businesses and the general population.

Weakening the proponent argument about economic growth from globalisation

A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.

Incorrect this is supporting only through export
(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.

Incorrect the often is something which can be few or nore not generalising


(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.

This is supporting only incorrect

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.

Incorrect nothing about env degradation

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.
Correct this indicates that local economies are not booming but businesses are favourable to MNC

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The correct answer is (E). The proponents of globalization argue that it fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages. However, if the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses, then this would suggest that the benefits of globalization have not been evenly distributed, and that the majority of the population has not benefited from it. This would weaken the proponents' argument.

The other options are not as likely to weaken the proponents' argument. Option (A) suggests that developing countries that rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. However, this does not necessarily mean that globalization has not had a positive impact on these countries. Option (B) suggests that global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies. However, this does not necessarily mean that globalization has not had a positive impact on global economics. Option (C) suggests that globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs. However, this could also be seen as a positive development, as it could lead to lower prices for consumers and increased efficiency in the global economy. Option (D) suggests that international trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption. However, this is a separate issue from the economic impact of globalization.

Therefore, the correct answer is (E).

The globalization of trade has been hailed as a positive force for economic growth and development. Proponents argue that increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages. However, critics contend that globalization exacerbates income inequality, as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations, while leaving the majority of the population behind.

Which of the following, if true, would weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics?

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.
(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.
(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.
(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.
(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.
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In order to weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics, we can support or strengthen an argument against it. First sentence is just a background information. Counter argument is given in the last sentence of the argument.
Let's take a look at answer choices and apply process of elimination.
A - Answer choice specifically talks about ''countries that heavily rely on exports'' it may be out of scope. Moreover, statement says those countries are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. It is not relevant.
A is out.
B - This answer choice supports the conterargument. Lets keep it.
C - Reverse logic. It says that ''Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.''. It in turn strengthens the argument that globalisation is good. C is out.
D -This answer choice talks about bad side of International trade. It may attack the argument . Lets keep D.
E - This answer choice also attacks the heart of the argument that '' increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages''. If it the answer choice is true, Globalisation is not increasing competition rather its benefits are going to multinational corparations. There may be even no competition.

Among answer choices B, D, and E. E attacks the argument most. Therefore, E is our winner.

Hope it helps.

The economic development happens when there is a growth in local businesses also . So, E can be the answer

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The globalization of trade has been hailed as a positive force for economic growth and development. Proponents argue that increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages. However, critics contend that globalization exacerbates income inequality, as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations, while leaving the majority of the population behind.

Which of the following, if true, would weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics?

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. - this option is sort of extreme and talk about only developing countries that heavily rely on exports
(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies. - Sounds Good. Will keep till end
(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs - This doesn't weak the proponents arguments. there might be possibility that this is beneficial for developed countries.
(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption. - This is totally out of placed and out of scope
(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses. - This is reasoning of Critics but only focus about the micro elements of a country. Country as whole might be at the advantage as proposed by the proponents.

So after process of PoE, we left with option B, which is a winner here. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

two parts of the argument of impact of the globalisation

Proponents : that increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages

Critics : Contend that globalization exacerbates income inequality, as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations, while leaving the majority of the population behind.

weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics


(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. no clarity about what and how economic down turn is impacting developing countries

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies. again there is no bifarcation b/w powerful and weak countries

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs. proponents are not discussing about jobs etc
(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption. this is an irrelevant option

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses. this is true and weakens the proponents argument of increased international trade fosters competition

OPTION E is correct

IMO A

The globalization of trade has been hailed as a positive force for economic growth and development. Proponents argue that increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages. However, critics contend that globalization exacerbates income inequality, as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations, while leaving the majority of the population behind.

Which of the following, if true, would weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics?

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.
Correct. Eliminate the rest too. This options weakens proponent claim by saying that economy can hinder on countries which become too dependent.

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.
Incorrect. Does not tell why economy will be harmed.

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.
Incorrect. Same reason as B

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.
Incorrect. Sounds attractive but again, does not tell why economy will be harmed.

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.
Incorrect. Same option as B in a way and same reason as B for elimination.

Proponents argued that international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages.

Any choice that attacks any of these 3 factors will weaken the proponents' argument.

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.
Incorrect, out of scope

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.
Incorrect, This is also a potential downside of globalization, but it does not necessarily weaken the proponents' argument. The proponents could argue that this is a comparative advantage of these countries, not with globalization itself. Also often does not mean that it always happens. Also more suitable option is (E) as compared to (B).

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.
Incorrect, not attacking any of the 3 factors.

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.
Incorrect, not attacking any of the 3 factors.

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.
Correct, This directly attacks first factor that proponents argued, that international trade will foster competition. This position is weakened by this argument, as local businesses are not able to compete because of international trade.

IMO E.

Benefits of globalization
> increased international trade fosters competition
> drives innovation
> allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages

We have to weaken the benefit.

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.

We are not concerned about the economic downturns here. Also, the reference to developing countries is not relevant. We are trying to weaken the benefits of globalization. Eliminate.

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.

Works towards establishing the fact that globalization doesn't foster competition. However the reference to Global trade agreements doesn't fit well. We can keep this and look for better choice.

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.

Out of scope. The option harnesses general knowledge and the reference to the developed countries is irrelevant. Eliminate.

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.

The effect of environment is not the concern in the argument. Eliminate.

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.

IMO this option does the job far better than B does. The option tells us that benefits are not enjoyed by all and the competition is somewhat biased.

IMO E

The argument says : as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations,

We basically need to strengthen the opponents views.
E does so echoing the opponents' statements.

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners. Out of scope because there were no mention of effect on developing countries.
(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies. This may still mean globalization of trade is still a positive force
(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs. No mention of outsourcing of jobs
(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption. No mention of environmental degradation and unstainable resource consumptions.
(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses. Correct. This ties with the critic argument that the benefits overwhelmingly flow into the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations

Premise : The globalization of trade has been hailed as a positive force for economic growth and development.

Proponents' conclusion : Increased international trade fosters competition, drives innovation, and allows countries to specialize in their comparative advantages.

Critics' conclusion : Globalization exacerbates income inequality, as the benefits of trade are often concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations, while leaving the majority of the population behind.

We need to weaken the proponents' argument regarding the positive impact of globalization on global economics.

(A) Developing countries that heavily rely on exports are vulnerable to economic downturns in their main trading partners.
Incorrect. The choice only applies to developing countries that heavily rely on exports, so it doesn't impact the conclusion of the proponents.

(B) Global trade agreements often prioritize the interests of powerful nations, disadvantaging smaller economies.
Correct.If this is true then it means that smaller economies do not have the advantages mentioned by the proponents in their conclusion. Thus this choice weakens the conclusion made by the supporters.

(C) Globalization has led to the outsourcing of jobs from developed countries to countries with lower labor costs.
Incorrect. This choice supports the conclusion made by the proponents and thus is the opposite of what we want from the answer.

(D) International trade has contributed to environmental degradation and unsustainable resource consumption.
Incorrect.The negative impact of globalization on the environment is not important to those who support globalization, as the focus of their conclusion is on effects of globalization on economic growth and development.

(E) Studies have shown that the benefits of globalization have disproportionately flowed to multinational corporations rather than local businesses.
Incorrect. While this can be true, all this choice does is strengthen the contention of critics. But this choice still does not weaken the proponents' conclusion.