Cultural Coherence: Global Context

In 2010 Global Index, Ireland beat out Singapore for the number 2 spot of globalization. This index "measures and tracks the performance of the world’s 60 largest economies in relation to separate indicators in five broad categories: openness to trade; capital movements; exchange of technology and ideas; movement of labor; and cultural integration" (Hennigan, 2011). Ireland's score increase from 2009 to 2010 is the direct result of a larger movement of goods and services as a proportion of its GDP. In particular, the export of chemicals has increased in the country, contributing to this rise. Ireland also ranked number one in two of the five categories of this survey, exchange of technology and ideas, and movement of labor. Though their labor force is now decreasing as a result of lower migration, the country's number one spot in the first category stems from greater amounts of internet subscribers.

The country is expected to maintain a steady rise in globalization, and in 2014 it may top the list, surpassing Hong Kong, and reaching a trade level that is over 230% of GDP (trade now rests at around 200%). Tourism is also expected to increase up to 3,600 per 1,000 residents in 2014, as opposed to its current 3,400 per 1,000 residents. Below is the list of the results of this survey.

Rank	Country / Territory	2010 Score	Trade	Capital	Technology	Culture	Labour
1	Hong Kong (SAR)	7.48	9.78	7.91	5.87	9.25	4.57
2	Ireland	7.34	6.66	7.11	9.49	7.20	6.10
3	Singapore	6.78	9.55	6.16	5.58	8.11	4.37
4	Denmark	5.93	5.17	6.05	8.92	4.74	4.41
5	Switzerland	5.86	5.12	5.50	6.20	5.97	6.62
6	Belgium	5.82	6.21	6.44	6.67	4.63	4.81
7	Sweden	5.80	5.32	6.10	8.18	4.70	4.38
8	Netherlands	5.59	6.01	6.09	6.10	4.65	4.85
9	Hungary	5.35	6.06	5.22	5.87	4.92	4.48
10	Finland	5.29	4.93	5.60	7.35	4.31	3.98
11	Slovakia	5.16	6.00	4.83	3.89	6.41	4.83
12	Taiwan	5.15	5.72	5.13	6.04	4.12	4.43
13	Israel	5.11	4.84	5.22	6.38	5.18	3.83
14	Austria	5.10	5.50	5.39	5.56	5.25	3.70
15	United Kingdom	5.00	4.63	5.75	5.78	4.55	4.12

Source:

Hennigan, M.  (2011, January 26).  Globalization Index:  Hong Kong in top place; Ireland overtakes Singapore for second rank.  Finfacts.  Retrieved from http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1021487.shtml