(iPoster) Globalization Backlash: A Comparative Study on Developed and Developing Countries

• In Event: Poster Session: International Political Economy I & Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Policy
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: International Political Economy I

Abstract

Since the late 20th century, economic globalization has evolved alongside changes in the industrial structures of the world economy, leading to multifaceted repercussions in developed and developing countries. This paper examines how the backlash against economic globalization has been addressed differently over the past 30-40 years, emphasizing the influence of political discourse and the underlying social divides that extend beyond the mere distributional effects of economic globalization.
I argue that in developing countries, the conflict between supporters and opponents of globalization initially revolved around specific industries but later transformed into a struggle between self-interest and collective interest, fueled by nationalist rhetoric advocating for “sacrificing the small for the greater good.” Governments often overlooked the expected losers of globalization, adhering to neoliberal principles, influenced by IMF’s and World Bank’s assistance programs, while believing in the promise of national prosperity through globalization.
On the other hand, about two decades later, leading nations that once championed globalization now face significant backlash, reshaping their political landscapes. This is evident in shifts in foreign and economic policies, such as Brexit and the intensification of the China-U.S. economic conflict, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and distortion of the existing democratic settings. The backlash in developed countries, primarily driven by blue-collar workers in manufacturing, has garnered more serious attention from governments compared to the earlier responses in developing countries.
I argue that the conflict in developed countries is increasingly defined by class rather than industry, intertwining nationalism with a focus on national pride rather than prosperity. This has created societal tensions between self-made individuals, deserving respect for their contributions, and established elites, who often engage in detached discussions about globalization (and defend foreign labor forces).
I first analyze these differences using datasets on anti-globalization protests, political changes in regime leadership, and political discourse on nationalism in developed and developing countries from 1990 to 2020. This analysis employs text analysis techniques and panel regressions. My quantitative analyses will be supplemented by case studies from South Korea, Greece, and the U.S.

Author

• Kyu Young Lee, Prairie View A&M University