Salon: 5 Key Trends in Globalization

Old forms of globalization linked to fear and nationalism – as “angry minority based coalitions determined the fate of the majority” – have reemerged over the past year, explains Edward Goldberg. He offers a list of the top globalization events for 2018 for Salon, and for each the world can repeat history or learn from past events to avoid trouble: After 40 years of opening to the global economy, China is retreating with authoritarianism and an end to presidential term limits. At the same time, China’s once fast-growing economy is slowing, with its population is aging. China as a rising power challenges the US as existing power, an example of the Thucydides trap that could threaten global stability. “The Thucydides trap is not a given, it can be prevented but to prevent it takes and understanding of history and the ability to act prudently and wisely,” Goldberg notes. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin leverages Russia's weak economy, using fear to challenge the globalized world and more powerful players. A final bright spot is that most of the world recognizes the threat of climate change and slowly coordinates on a response, showing that people can be visionary and practical, preparing to confront a threat. – YaleGlobal