A Critical History of Globalization
We live in a “globalized” world. Your presence at Schwarzman College is proof of that. But what is globalization, how did it take place, what shaped it, and what will happen to it?
This course examines the troubled and uneven history of globalization, from the imperial expansions of the 19th century through two world wars, decolonization, and the dramatic transformations of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, not as a smooth or inevitable process of economic integration, but as a historical phenomenon shaped by empire, war, technological change, political struggle, and unequal power relations, often producing concentrated wealth and power for some at the expense of others, and generating both “winners” and “losers” across and within societies.
The world we live in today, and which you will lead tomorrow, is deeply interconnected and shaped by rapid technological progress, but also marked by inequality and violence. How did we get to this point? What historical processes and crises made our world the way it is? Can we find the balance between economic success and the common good? Finally, what can globalization’s past teach us about its present, and suggest about its future–and about our ability to address the biggest challenges we face as a global community?