The World Is Not Experiencing Deglobalization Says Historian Harold James

Summary

• The breakdown in global supply chains during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic induced lockdowns of 2020 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have led some observers to suggest that the world is moving into a period of deglobalization.

• Princeton historian Harold James argues that these concerns are misplaced: the world, he suggests, is moving towards a new form of globalization, not deglobalization.

• Professor James argues that trade statistics demonstrate that the world is still heavily dependent on global trade, particularly in Chinese goods and chips produced by a small number of manufacturers.

• Additionally, dependence on digital communications (an element of globalization) has continued to grow.

• Professor James argues that in past historical episodes when the world considered moving away from globalization due to supply issues (e.g. the 1970s), it quickly became apparent that doing so would be too costly.

• Thus, he concludes that the world is moving, not towards deglobalization, but towards a new form of globalization centered around an increasing dependence on digital communications and information flows (e.g. distance learning, telemedicine).

Harold James Is Professor in European Studies & Professor of History and International Affairs At Princeton University.