CAIE Sociology (9699)

A strong answer would assess arguments that globalisation increases cultural diversity through the spread of ideas, migration, hybrid cultures, multiculturalism, and access to global media and consumer goods. It would also evaluate counter-arguments that globalisation can produce cultural homogenisation, Westernisation, cultural imperialism, and the dominance of global brands and media. The best responses would use sociological theories and examples to reach a balanced conclusion on whether diversity has increased overall.

A strong answer would examine how capitalist exploitation may contribute to global crime through inequality, poverty, labour exploitation, weak states, and the creation of opportunities for trafficking, smuggling, and other transnational crimes. It would also consider alternative explanations such as state weakness, corruption, globalisation of communications and transport, consumer demand, and the role of organised criminal networks. A balanced conclusion should judge the extent to which capitalist exploitation is the main cause of global crime.

A strong answer would evaluate evidence for media influence, including effects on attitudes, beliefs, consumption, identity, political views, and behaviour, as well as theories such as hypodermic syringe, cultivation, agenda-setting, and uses and gratifications. It would also assess arguments that audiences are active, media effects are limited or indirect, and influence varies by context, audience, and media content. A conclusion should weigh whether evidence of influence is weak or substantial.

A strong answer would discuss the extent to which large media corporations control new media through ownership, algorithms, advertising, platform dominance, data collection, and content moderation. It would also evaluate arguments that new media is more decentralised, participatory, and open to user-generated content, independent creators, and alternative voices. The best responses would consider whether corporate power still shapes online communication despite apparent diversity.

A strong answer would explain functionalist views of religion, including social solidarity, value consensus, collective conscience, and the role of religion in maintaining social order and integration. It would then evaluate these against alternative perspectives such as Marxism, feminism, social action approaches, and postmodernism, which may argue that religion serves power, patriarchy, or individual meaning rather than social cohesion. A conclusion should judge whether functionalism is the most convincing explanation overall.

A strong answer would assess evidence for religious revival in Western societies, such as growth in some forms of spirituality, fundamentalism, new religious movements, and selective re-enchantment. It would also consider evidence for secularisation, declining church attendance, reduced religious authority, and the privatisation of belief. The best responses would evaluate whether any revival is widespread, limited to certain groups, or better understood as transformation rather than revival.