Which of the following is the generic name for Spiriva? A. T…

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Which оf the fоllоwing is the generic nаme for Spirivа? A. Tiotropium bromide B. Aclidinium bromide C. Iprаtropium bromide D. Umeclidinium bromide

Increаsing Frаgmentаtiоn оf Glоbalisation 1 The financial crisis of 2008-2009 marked a critical turning point in the trajectory of globalisation. The period before the crisis, known as hyperglobalisation, was characterized by increasingly linked markets, global supply chains, and financial systems. However, after the crisis, there was a noticeable slowdown in globalisation, a shift pushed by several factors including rising strategic autonomy, populist nationalism, and vulnerabilities exposed in globally connected supply chains. As a result, globalisation is evolving into a more fragmented model, with greater value on regional trade blocs and alliances among like-minded countries. This trend suggests the emergence of a world where economic power is more regionally distributed rather than being concentrated in a few countries. 2 Since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, globalisation was propelled by the desire to optimise production costs. Companies desired to divide global labour, outsourcing production to regions with lower labour costs and expanding into new sales markets. The global supply chain became a defining feature of this era, with companies sourcing materials and components from across the world. These systems were heavily reliant on delivery models designed to minimise costs by balancing supply with demand. Moreover, advancements in digitalisation allowed companies to simplify production processes and join complex supply chains more effectively. 3 The 2008-2009 financial crisis exposed the risks of such a highly integrated global system. The collapse of major financial institutions and the close relationship between global markets led to rapid effects across economies. As a result, there was a slowdown in cross-border investments, a decline in global trade, and disruptions in supply chains. In response, countries like China began to prioritise being independent, especially in sectors deemed essential to national interests. This trend was further driven by concerns over future crises, such as economic instability and international tensions, which led many governments and corporations to reconsider their dependency on global markets. 4 The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the weakness of these global supply chains. Border closures, lockdowns, and labour shortages disrupted production and logistics, demonstrating the risks associated with some business models. The pandemic showed the need for resilience in supply chains and encouraged many businesses to rethink their approach to risk management. Additionally, increased armed conflict globally has worsened these vulnerabilities, particularly in global energy and food markets. The war showed how international conflicts could be used to disrupt trade and supply chains, with countries leveraging economic dependencies to achieve political goals. 5 These developments have fuelled a rise in populism and economic nationalism, particularly in the context of movements like Brexit and the US-China trade war. These events highlighted the growing push for strategic autonomy, where countries seek to reduce their reliance on foreign sources for essential goods, particularly in areas like energy, technology, and healthcare. Governments are adopting protectionist policies to safeguard domestic industries from foreign competition and ensure access to critical resources in times of crisis. This shift suggests that countries are re-evaluating the costs and benefits of global trade, and that national security concerns are increasingly closely related with economic policies. 6 Despite these shifts, the fragmentation of globalisation does not necessarily signal moving away from globalisation, known as deglobalisation. Instead, it represents a transition towards a more fragmented global economy, where regional ties and local alliances take precedence over global connections. Trade within regional blocs such as the European Union (EU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is growing as countries seek to strengthen their relationships with geographically and politically similar partners. This increasing focus on localisation and regionalisation is due to the need to build greater resilience against external shocks, whether from economic downturns, pandemics, or geopolitical conflicts. 7 One significant driver of this fragmentation is the rising geopolitical tension between major powers, especially the United States and China. As these two nations compete for global influence, they are reassessing their supply chain strategies, particularly in securing advanced technologies. Additionally, climate change policies and the growing importance of sustainability are reshaping global supply chains. Governments and companies are adopting greener production methods, with an emphasis on reducing their environmental footprint and investing in clean energy technologies. 8 The global transition towards clean energy is reshaping industries and global supply chains. Sectors like solar power, wind energy, and electric vehicles require critical raw materials whose availability is becoming increasingly important. In response, countries are looking to secure these materials domestically or through regional suppliers, while also pursuing recycling and green economy initiatives to reduce dependence on traditional resources. 9 Technological advancements also play a crucial role in this shift. Innovations such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing are transforming manufacturing processes. These technologies enable nearshoring and reshoring, allowing companies to relocate production closer to consumers while maintaining cost efficiency. However, these developments also have significant implications for employment in developing countries, as the need for cheap labour reduces. 10 Finally, the fragmentation of the global technology landscape is becoming increasingly clear. The rise of digital sovereignty—as seen with China’s strict control over its internet and Russia’s efforts to limit foreign tech influence—has led to the development of competing technological frameworks. This is further heightened by regulatory initiatives like the EU’s Digital Single Market, which seeks to harmonise digital regulations within Europe. As countries look for greater control over their digital infrastructure and data privacy, global networking is being challenged, creating barriers to seamless technological collaboration.

Cоmplete the sentences belоw. Use nо more thаn two words from the pаssаge for each answer. Answers can be found from paragraphs 6 to 10.