The New Backlash Against Globalization

Globalization has shifted in recent years and the anti-globalization movement has, too, with more focus on immigration than trade. In an essay for Project Syndicate, Harold James, professor of history at Princeton University, suggests trends in travel may contribute to diminished trust. Many people embark on global travel, but with “quick, superficial experiences” rather than immersion in another culture and ongoing exchanges. Travelers seek to log as many destinations as possible, and group tours minimize local interactions as a security measure while the industry anticipates a decline in repeat business. The transient nature of modern travel habits invites mediocre service from restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Programs like Airbnb, through which guests make online arrangements to stay in others’ homes, can foster a richer form of cultural exchange. James recalls Winston Churchill’s 24-day visit with Franklin Roosevelt during World War II and suggests that a political form of Airbnb may be needed to reduce isolationist tendencies among candidates vying for top leadership positions around the world. – YaleGlobal