Can Globalisation be measured?

Globalisation is a very complex process but there have been attempts to measure it and identify which countries are the most 'global'. In Grade 12, we have looked at the KOF index, set up in 2002 by a Swiss economic think tank. 

Take a look at the link below which goes into more depth on how exactly the KOF index was measured specifically in 2013.

How was the 2013 KOF index calculated?

So is the KOF index all it is cracked up to be?

• Globalisation is an incredibly complex and many people argue it cannot be measured in a single numeric way.
• It is an outdated measure - Number of TV's, telecoms traffic and import and export of books are now less relevant measures due to the rise of devices such as tablets where you can read books online, watch TV online and make phone calls online.
• Trade is very hard to measure as many countries do not know the size of their informal/ illegal economy which is often involved in globalised trade. (E.g. Drugs, human trafficking and smuggling wild plants and animals)
• Some countries, particularly small states such as Monaco and the Vatican, rely on use of embassies in neighbouring countries (France and Italy respectively) and therefore do not have their own.
• Some countries such as Switzerland prefer to remain neutral and therefore do not join international organisation. Does this make them less globalised?