19-107 GLOBALISM VERSUS NATIONALISM

19-107 GLOBALISM VERSUS NATIONALISM

John Somers, Fridays 10 am - 12 noon

HOA1 Activity Center, January 11, 18, February 1, 8, 15

This course will lead to an understanding of the complexities of globalization and its benefits and costs. From the end of WWII until very recently, the US has promoted the expansion of trade, trade treaties and the integration of the European economies. Most economists support these policies. Globalization has led to an increase in world wealth but there have been winners and losers. The winners are the world’s consumers who with expanded trade have greater access to goods and services, often at lower prices. The losers are the workers and businesses displaced by rising imports. In addition, globalization has led to an increase in the flow of workers and immigrants across national borders.

In the last number of years there has been a negative reaction to the loss of jobs, rising immigration and a perceived loss of national sovereignty. These concerns have led to more nationalistic governments in Europe and Asia. Since the election of Donald Trump, the US has also retrenched from global cooperation.