India is renowned for its huge population and large economy. In 2022, the country overtook China to become the world’s most populous nation, with a population of 1,425,775,850 (Ellis-Petersen, 2023). This figure has grown by at least one billion since 1950 and is expected to continue increasing until it reaches a peak of 1.7 billion in 2024 (Ellis-Petersen, 2023). The country’s ratio of females to males is estimated to be 48:52 (World Bank, 2024). Despite periodic fluctuations, historical trends indicate that the male population is usually higher than the female one. India is the world’s fifth largest economy in the world. According to Jacob (2023), the country’s economy grew by 6.2% in 2023, a 0.1% increase from 2022. While observers expect obstacles in this growth trajectory, positive performance will persist due to increased consumption, government spending, and infrastructure development.
Definitional Framework
Like most other countries, globalization has affected India’s economy, politics, and culture. It attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $71 billion between 2022 and 2023 (Galani & Larsen, 2024). The government seeks to grow this figure to $100 billion to accelerate economic growth. This is a significant figure in the global platform, given that China, the second-largest recipient of FDI, received $189 billion in 2022 (Textor, 2023). This foreign capital fuels infrastructure development, technological advancements, and job creation. However, its costs include economic inequality, exploitation of labor, and environmental degradation. The influx of multinational corporations has triggered economic restructuring, which presents challenges and opportunities.
Civil society in India has transformed significantly over the years. In the 1980s, the primary focus was income generation (Civil Society Brief: India, 2023). Today, the role of civil society extends to women’s equality, child protection, environmental sustainability, and advocacy. Global interconnectedness has empowered civil society organizations and transformed them into tools for advocacy and social change. It has also exposed the vulnerabilities within the political system, with questions raised about accountability, transparency, and the influence of external actors on national policies. In terms of culture, there have been benefits as well as drawbacks for India. The global exchange of ideas has led to cultural enrichment, leading to an interconnected and dynamic society (Pathare, 2019). However, concerns arise about the erosion of traditional values and the dominance of Westernized content.
Telecommunication
India has a booming telecommunications industry. According to Sun (2023), there were 1.14 billion mobile subscribers in 2022. At the same time, the Asian giant achieved 100% digitization of cable television networks in 2019. As of 2023, 52% of India’s population is connected to the internet (Rao, 2023). This growth is notable since only 4% of the people had access to the internet in 2007 (Rao, 2023). The penetration of internet services is well spread between urban and rural areas, with each accounting for about half of the total population accessing the services. The internet has catalyzed India’s integration into the global digital economy. The widespread adoption of smartphones and increased internet penetration has democratized access to information.
Music Censorship, Disinformation and Propaganda, and Social Media Usage
The Cinematograph Act of 1952 allows the Indian government to censor music at its discretion (Pizà, 2023). According to Ellis-Petersen and Hassan (2023), India is among the leading countries in the world in terms of internet blackouts and content censorship. In the past five years, it has shut the internet more than any other country, sidelining over 120 million citizens from global events (Ellis-Petersen & Hassan, 2023). India faces online misinformation and propaganda challenges, particularly during elections and on sensitive topics (Fleck, 2024). The country has the highest risk of misinformation globally, underscoring a need for action (Fleck, 2024). 33.4% of the population, or about 460 million individuals, are active social media users (Wong, 2023). Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube are used for communication, news consumption, and activism.
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2023), these factors contribute to healthcare disparities. For example, people in a neighborhood lacking grocery stores with healthy food options are likely to develop nutrition-related complications. Consequently, in globalization research, it is essential to understand the social determinants of health as they are underlying factors in health outcomes. At the same time, globalization can exacerbate or address social determinants of health, hence the need to understand the connection between these two elements.
Important Factors of Social Determinants of Health
- Income inequality- This factor affects almost all countries in the world. Over the past half a century, economies have grown notably. However, the wealth accumulated is not shared fairly. A few rich individuals control vast amounts of global resources while the majority struggle to survive. In India, 10% of the population controls 59.5% of the nation’s wealth, leaving only 40.5% to be shared by 90% of the citizens (Somanchi, 2023). This factor is crucial because financially disadvantaged people cannot afford healthcare services.
- Education- An educated population has the knowledge to make informed health choices. Education influences health literacy, employment opportunities, income levels, and social status. The reason for selecting this factor is that investing in education has a multiplier effect on health outcomes. It can influence earning capabilities and medication adherence, enhancing global health outcomes.
Macro-Actions that India Can Implement
- Addressing income inequalities- As noted above, income disparities are a major challenge in India. Progressive taxation and social safety programs enable low-income earners to access healthcare and other services. This will address current challenges and accelerate economic growth.
- Investing in social infrastructure- Investments in public health, education, sanitation, and water infrastructure are crucial to address health disparities and improve citizens’ well-being. This eliminates the challenges related to education and the lack of options for citizens.
Conclusion
Globalization has had positive and negative impacts on India. Positive impacts include economic growth, strengthening of civil society, and increased internet penetration. India is the fifth largest economy today and attracts massive FDI flows. Internet connectivity allows citizens to communicate with each other and the rest of the world. Despite these positive effects, globalization has exacerbated economic and healthcare disparities. The benefits of economic expansion are not enjoyed equally by all citizens, leading to inequalities in access to healthcare, education, and basic amenities. The key takeaway from this discussion is that globalization has benefits and shortcomings. People across the globe can interact freely with each other and raise governance concerns as a result of globalization. However, it imports challenges like income inequality and erodes cultures in the developing world.
References
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