The ever-incisive FT columnist Martin Wolf reminds us that while globalization's prize is plus-sum (everyone gains), as opposed to zero-sum (Country A gains only if Country B loses), it is not perfect sum (there are costs) nor egalitarian sum (everyone gains equally).
The biggest advantage of globalization, in Wolf's view? The spread of prosperity, including a wider distribution of innovation and bigger opportunities for profitable exchange/trade. Also valuable, although not guaranteed, Wolf says, is increased political stability in previously impoverished countries.
Globalization marches on
Further, in the globalization era's first decade, the United States can't do anything to halt the flow of ideas, and the diffusion of knowledge, skills, technology systems, and so forth, Wolf argues. Or at least the United States can't do anything decent to stop globalization.
The biggest advantage of globalization, in Wolf's view? The spread of prosperity, including a wider distribution of innovation and bigger opportunities for profitable exchange/trade. Also valuable, although not guaranteed, Wolf says, is increased political stability in previously impoverished countries.
Globalization marches on
Further, in the globalization era's first decade, the United States can't do anything to halt the flow of ideas, and the diffusion of knowledge, skills, technology systems, and so forth, Wolf argues. Or at least the United States can't do anything decent to stop globalization.
Social scientists, unlike some journalists, are reluctant to label anything a trend until they've amassed and evaluated a great deal of data often over years. A journalist can always cite a lack of information, or the crush of daily (and shorter) deadlines as a reason his/her news story did not describe reality, but if a social scientist errs in a refereed-article, well let's just say the action is not conducive to career advancement. 
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