After the Second World War, economic instruments naturally occupied pride of place in the global toolbox of the US. However, this argument failed as early as the First World War, when European industrial and trading powers took up arms against each other despite the unprecedented globalisation of that time. The hope that economic ties will make the world a more peaceful place is not a new one. Nevertheless, Western politics has clung to the fairy tale of ‘change through trade’ for far too long, and the case study of China in particular shows the consequences. What if globalisation not only brought growth and prosperity, but also made international relations more peaceful? What if economic interdependence promoted not just corporate profits, but also democracy, freedom and the rule of law? What if mutual dependencies allowed national interests to merge into common goals?ĭoes this all sound too good to be true? Well, that is because it is.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |