Is Globalization Over?

Probably not, as it’s difficult for long-term trends to disappear and what we have only recently come to understand as globalization began a couple of hundred years ago with the industrial revolution. Steamers replaced sails and railroads made mockery of ox-carts. But it’s a hot-button word today and bandied about rather recklessly.

A bit of a refresher on what it is

Globalization is world-trade on steroids, due to advances in transportation and communication technology. Sailing vessels to jet aircraft—lengthy letters-of-agreement by email—face-time on Zoom instead of personal visits, you get my drift. Another major force is the almost vertical acceleration of technology. The inconceivable two years ago is ordinary today and society holds its breath, thirsting for what’s next.

So then, where’s the rub?

The rub is actually threefold: first, there’s the ever-present aspects of politics, as nations bicker over the spoils of commerce and who gets how much. China and America, the world’s top…