Globalization and its Political Consequences in Western Democracies

• In Event: Globalization and Populism

Abstract

This paper examines aspects of the political consequences of economic globalization. Economic globalization, according to some economic theories, has adverse consequences for labor, especially less skilled labor, in the rich democracies. Have elites and parties responded to this by turning against globalization and economic openness? Extending the research of Burgoon (2009), I ask whether political parties in the advanced industrial countries have adopted more anti-internationalist platforms as globalization has advanced. Furthermore, have the structural pressures of globalization suppressed voter turnout and polarized voters ideologically? Finally, I investigate whether pressures from globalization been mitigated by social welfare policies. The evidence suggests that globalization, especially trade, is associated with a political turn to anti-internationalism and to extremist parties, all of which is not being mitigated by social compensation.

Author

• Helen V. Milner, Princeton University