Questioning Globalization

Globalisation is the cliche of our times. Its proponents use it to sing paeans to the efficiency of markets. Its opponents decry it for bringing misery to ordinary folk around the world. In terms of its economic ramifications, globalisation essentially means the breakdown of national barriers against trade and finance. Proponents of globalisation would like us to believe that the ongoing process of globalisation is unprecedented. However, those who place a stronger emphasis on history argue that globalisation has always been an abiding feature of capitalism.