Released: 13th February 2024
Genre: Non-Fiction, Society, Politics, Global Affairs
Number of Pages: 254 (excluding notes and bibliography)
In a world that seems intent on building walls and pulling away from trade deals, Goodbye Globalization is an effective summary. Elisabeth Braw, an expert in geopolitical history and international relations, takes the reader through past, present and future events to explain where we are heading and what can be done about it.
Beginning in the late eighties and early nineties, the onset of new technologies and far-reaching global shipping was seen as a major boon by both business leaders and national governments. Cheap goods, larger labour pools to draw from and the prospect of peace through interconnected deals; the author emphasises the excitement of that time in the early chapters. Events like the fall of the Soviet Union and Deng Xiaoping opening China to the world all form pieces of the wider puzzle, creating a firm foundation for the 21st Century discussions.
Political figures, corporate tycoons and ordinary citizens all have a part to play in Elisabeth’s book with a wide array of perspectives woven into the lower page count. As business grew more wealthy and saved on labour costs, we see how western populations were left behind, their jobs being outsourced over time. The sense of perception always plays a role; globalisation may have given us cheaper goods and finer luxuries, but the overall opinion of this system has diminished over time. The middle portion of the book, the 2000s and 2010s, paints a clear picture of the shift from local communities to larger corporations. The devastation of 9/11, the construction of Nord Stream 1 and 2 and the onset of the digital age are key components here, taking us from ground level all the way to national borders.
That leads us into the final part of the book; “friendshoring”. By incorporating the more progressive politics of Gen Z and unplugging from an overreliance on authoritarian nations, Braw believes the western world can stave off a downturn while maintaining our values of human rights, free markets and the rule of law. It’s a strong, well-researched idea that looks beyond the gruelling challenges that lie ahead. The world may be dividing once again into east and west, but there are still ways to maintain international cooperation. Braw concludes the book by looking back at Germany, a country with many difficult decisions to make.
Recommended?
YES: Goodbye Globalization is an honest and compact history lesson on the last three decades, but it also charts a course forward. Elisabeth Braw has a clear understanding of current events and where they are taking us, discussing all the major moments that fuelled globalisation alongside its slow demise in the 2020s. The high amount of detailed interviews and notes makes for a simple yet effective chronicle.
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