What is deglobalization? | Explainer | Chatham House

Summary

The script explores the concept of deglobalization, a trend marked by increasing nationalism, local solutions, and border controls. While global crises like COVID-19 and climate change highlight the need for collaboration, populism, Brexit, and declining foreign investments signal a shift away from globalized approaches. The script discusses the challenges of balancing global and local responses, especially in dealing with global issues like the climate crisis, cyber threats, and international crime. It emphasizes that while deglobalization offers some advantages, it also presents significant risks, including the erosion of international norms and cooperation, ultimately weakening the global response to shared challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Deglobalization refers to a shift towards less interconnectedness between nations, with a focus on national sovereignty, local solutions, and stricter border controls.
• 😀 While the world is not definitively in a period of deglobalization, factors like Brexit, populism, and declining foreign direct investment suggest a move away from globalization.
• 😀 The rise of populist politics in Europe and the U.S. challenges the globalized approach, with parties like those advocating for leaving the European Union as part of their platforms.
• 😀 International organizations like the UN and WHO are perceived as weak, with failures in handling crises like the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the need for better global cooperation.
• 😀 A historical perspective suggests that deglobalization has occurred before, such as after the Napoleonic Wars and before World War I, and again in the early 1950s.
• 😀 Although deglobalization can address certain national issues (e.g., medical supplies during COVID-19 or environmental concerns), it also brings risks like increasing monopolies and economic inequality.
• 😀 A national government's attempt to regulate global corporations like Amazon or Google will not be effective in isolation, and developing nations need global trade standards to participate fairly.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the mismatch between global challenges and national, deglobalized instincts, as independent responses by countries worsened the effects of the crisis.
• 😀 The world’s uneven response to global crises, such as the pandemic, highlights the necessity of coordinated global efforts in addressing international crime, climate change, and cyber threats.
• 😀 Deglobalization has contributed to the erosion of international norms and treaties related to democracy, human rights, and arms control, with key global powers retreating from agreements like the International Criminal Court.
• 😀 Technology continues to drive globalized forces, meaning that even as political resistance to international cooperation grows, global cooperation remains essential to tackling cross-border challenges like health, trade, and security.

Q & A

What is deglobalization and how is it characterized?

Deglobalization is a movement towards a less connected world, characterized by powerful nation-states, local solutions, border controls, and a decline in global institutions, treaties, and free movement.

Is the world definitively in a period of deglobalization?

No, while factors like COVID-19, Brexit, and the decline in foreign direct investment suggest deglobalization trends, global collaboration is still crucial for addressing issues like climate change and pandemics.

What are some signs that the West is moving toward deglobalization?

The West is seeing a rise in populist politics and skepticism towards globalized approaches, including Brexit and Trump's policies. There's also a decline in international collaboration and foreign direct investment.

What is the role of international organizations like the United Nations and WHO in a deglobalized world?

International organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization are seen as weak and ineffective in addressing global issues like climate change and health emergencies due to uncooperative governments and political deadlocks.

What is the impact of climate change in the context of deglobalization?

Climate change is a global issue but is often treated as a national challenge in countries like China and the U.S., reflecting a mismatch between global threats and deglobalized instincts.

What are the risks of relying on global supply chains as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of relying on global supply chains for essential medical supplies, as local shortages and delays occurred due to restricted international trade.

Why might deglobalization lead to the rise of monopolies like Amazon?

Deglobalization may lead to the emergence of unaccountable world monopolies because it disrupts the global balance, making it difficult to regulate large corporations that operate across borders.

How does deglobalization affect global cooperation in addressing international crime and cyber threats?

Deglobalization weakens international cooperation on issues like global crime and cyber threats, as effective responses require integrated global policies and cooperation between nations.

Can deglobalization effectively address the issues it raises, such as economic inequality and climate change?

While deglobalization might offer some solutions to specific domestic issues, it struggles to provide comprehensive solutions for global challenges like economic inequality and climate change, which require coordinated international efforts.

What is the historical precedent for deglobalization?

Historians point to previous periods of deglobalization, such as after the Napoleonic Wars and leading up to World War I, as well as a period after WWII and before the 1950s, suggesting deglobalization is not a new phenomenon.