New Books Network David J. Lynch, "The World's Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong (And What Would Make It Right)" (PublicAffairs, 2025)
Sep 5, 2025
David J. Lynch, the global economics correspondent for the Washington Post, delves into the failures of globalization in his latest work. He discusses the shift from post-Cold War optimism to the rise of economic nationalism and populism. Lynch highlights how globalization has devastated local communities and sparked uproar against dislocated jobs. The pandemic's impact on supply chains and China's automotive market evolution are also examined, shedding light on the complexities of adapting to a new economic landscape.
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Globalization’s Promise And Political Limits
- Globalization transformed the world after the Cold War but delivered mixed political outcomes.
- David Lynch argues the expected spread of democracy from trade did not fully materialize.
Battle For Seattle Shook Consensus
- Lynch recounts the 1999 Seattle WTO protests that shut down a ministerial meeting.
- He describes left and right groups uniting and embarrassing the Clinton administration and the WTO.
VCs Helped Seed China’s Tech Rise
- Early venture capital tied U.S. capital to Chinese startups and accelerated domestic Chinese tech growth.
- Lynch says that marriage of Western capital and Chinese talent seeded later strategic competition.
