Past Present Future Ideas of Globalisation: Trade, Race and Empire (and Trump!)
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Apr 27, 2025 Join economic historian Marc Palen as he delves into the intriguing world of 19th-century globalization and its connections to today's political landscape, especially under Trump. Discover the clash between economic nationalists and free trade advocates, and question whether globalization ever benefitted everyone or just select groups. Palen discusses the implications of imperialism on trade policies and the rise of protectionism, drawing parallels to contemporary issues like Brexit and U.S.-Canada relations. It's a fascinating journey through history that mirrors our current debates!
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Free Trade and Tech Transform Globalization
- The repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 sparked a British free trade century underpinned by new transport and communication technologies.
- Steamships, telegraphs, and canals in the 1860s practically shrank the world, enabling early global economic thinking.
Free Trade Fosters Peace and Prosperity
- Free trade advocates linked tariff repeal to affordable food for urban workers and economic growth.
- They also saw global trade as a pathway to peace and international cooperation.
Global Trade Vision Was Racially Exclusive
- The 19th century free trade vision was racially limited, centering on Euro-American industrial powers.
- Some adherents framed trade as a divine plan, expecting global sharing of resources and ideas under Christianity.