On Globalization, Borders and NationStates: Some Historical Musings

Randy William Widdis | BIG Research Reports | #19

Although many associate globalization with the post-WW II period, a view enforced by the perception that the world has become “smaller” as a result of technological innovations such as the computer revolution, there are others who argue that the current spread of influence of culture, language, religion, transportation, communication, media, technology, trade, business practices, and interrelated government and corporate finance is just the latest phase of this process. Indeed, some maintain that globalization began on October 12th, 1492 when Columbus discovered America, signalling the start of European colonialism that “sustained interaction in a manner that deeply linked [different parts of the world] through global trade.” Others argue that revolutionary economic and social theories developed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries propelled the world into the first real stages of globalization. The fundamental tenets of the then prevailing mercantilist doctrine were being questioned by theorists such as Adam Smith, David Ricardo and David Hume and politicians, including British Prime Minister Lord Shelburne and John Adams.

Randy William Widdis