© 2018 by Robert Person.  The views expressed on this website are my own and do not represent the official policy of the U.S. Army, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.

kenneth.englert
Jan 22, 2019

The Catch-22 of Globalization - Schlesinger

Jacob Schlesinger argues in his WSJ article "The Catch-22 of Globalization" that in 2019 the streak of intensifying globalization is showing signs of slowing. He argues that the institutions that were created with the intent of promoting globalization are beginning to falter. The World Trade Organization, the UN, and the EU have all lost the confidence of their member states due to recent world affairs, and globalization is suffering as a result. He then identifies a kind of "Catch-22" associated with increasing globalization, in that it is much more difficult to combat political polarization because such polarization already exists. Thus, polarization is part of a political cycle that is difficult to get out of.


Economic nationalism plays a significant role in this polar internationals plitical system. Take, for instance, the withdrawal of Great Britain from the EU. Britain certainly believes it is in its best interest to have more economic and political autonomy than being a member of the EU provides them. However, being one of the largest EU members, its removal weakens this massive institution of globalization and could encourage other member states to do the same. The institutions that were designed to promote globalization must be reevaluated and renewed to break out of this polarization.

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