Deglobalization Cometh
I commented on this Washington Post op-ed on Facebook, but it really got me thinking. Below were my initial thoughts.
"Having historically been an advocate for globaliztion and free trade, I wonder if this article doesn't illustrate an interesting prospect. Could America, by becoming a saving nation again rather than consumer driven, retain its strength while others nations dependent on export driven growth decline more rapidly than we do?
This might mean an absolute decline in living standards, but not in relative terms where national power would still be largely determined. So while there is still free trade, its slow down (though not its complete retrenchment in a spat of neo-isolationism) could be beneficial. Again, this would be relative and would have lasting domestic implications, but perhaps this is also the key to cultural renewal.
I'm not saying this is correct, just curious. Can we ever renew our culture while awash in a sea of mass consumerism? Maybe there is a small silver lining, provided government does not step in as a permanent replacement for the family unit."
I believe the answer to my question is no.
"Having historically been an advocate for globaliztion and free trade, I wonder if this article doesn't illustrate an interesting prospect. Could America, by becoming a saving nation again rather than consumer driven, retain its strength while others nations dependent on export driven growth decline more rapidly than we do?
This might mean an absolute decline in living standards, but not in relative terms where national power would still be largely determined. So while there is still free trade, its slow down (though not its complete retrenchment in a spat of neo-isolationism) could be beneficial. Again, this would be relative and would have lasting domestic implications, but perhaps this is also the key to cultural renewal.
I'm not saying this is correct, just curious. Can we ever renew our culture while awash in a sea of mass consumerism? Maybe there is a small silver lining, provided government does not step in as a permanent replacement for the family unit."
I believe the answer to my question is no.
Posted by Greg R Lawson at 12/15/2011 4:46 PM 
Categories: Globalization Economics Culture
Tags: Globalization Economics Culture
Categories: Globalization Economics Culture
Tags: Globalization Economics Culture
Comments