Ignore Brin’s usual frothing, and with the caveat that I haven’t had time to read this yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Originally shared by David Brin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why Globalization will end because of technology, not politics!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some of you ask why I pal around with John Mauldin, a conservative economist, government-skeptic and dedicated (though less-so with Trump) Republican.\u00a0 What? Other than the fact John\u2019s a terrific, fun guy? Well, also his insights and critiques are everything that a sane American conservatism could bring to our national conversation and negotiation\u2026 pro-science, diversity and tolerance-friendly, pragmatic, pro\u2014small-business\u2026 everything today\u2019s GOP is diametrically opposed-to. We need that conservatism back! Though it will only emerge, phoenix-like, from the ashes of a monstrous Confederacy-madness that Rupert Murdoch raised with his 30 year satanic rites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n But I wander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0Here\u2019s a link to one of the best articles on globalization I ever read, by John\u2019s partner Patrick Watson. It explains how globalization got its start with four major technologies\u2026 and why four more will bring about its end, returning us to an era when fleets of ships and pipelines and trucks will no longer be the lifeblood of the world economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiSt9q-iLDOAhVK3mMKHbJjBR0QFggeMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.advisorperspectives.com%2Fcommentaries%2F20160807-mauldin-economics-world-gone-backwards.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFj8Bl6uNqtsa9j9S0mqvKWK1-SWw&sig2=lVfa5sIPwP12McjQeEPyYw<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, they point out that while some have lost, due to globalization, most of the people of this planet have benefited spectacularly.\u00a0 And those who oppose globalization strictly as a convenient excuse for simplistic protectionism are thus reflexively committing horrific racism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Patrick and John leave out is the topmost driver of 70 years of globalization.\u00a0 Pax Americana.\u00a0 Not only did the world order set up by George Marshall and Harry Truman protect the world from major war for an entire human lifespan, allowing 90% of nations to spend amounts on arms and armies that were minuscule compared to every past generation\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026but the trade networks they erected were diametrically different than the mercantilist regimes erected by Pax Romana, Pax Sinica, Pax Brittanica and every other empire. Pax Americana has been ANTI-mercantilist, allowing, even fostering, the development of local industries, all over the globe. This simple measure is the one innovation that uplifted first Europe and Japan, then Korea, Taiwan and so on\u2026 till now the American consumer is raising-up masses in both China and India at the same time. It is the chief reason that 3\/4 of the world’s children bring school books back to homes with electric lights, toilets, running water and a modestly well-stocked fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the prodigious American accomplishment that historians of the future will most prominently note, far above measly moon landings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, it’s time to move on from carbon-spewing globalized trade. For example: “General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt saying that \u201cwage arbitrage\u201d is over. Robots do not care where you install them. They cost about the same and work at equal speed no matter where they are. Robotics will greatly reduce the incentive to make goods far from the end user simply to save on labor costs. The new incentive will be to produce in proximity to your customer. This will let you deliver faster and offer greater customization.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Local production, robotics, local food, these trends will build, bringing benefits and troubles of their own. But all the tech trends seem to point in this direction. And about time. Given the nature of their newsletter audience, John and Patrick only glancingly nod at the top reason to reduce our use of fossil fuels. But I won\u2019t begrudge them the gentleness of their ministry to the near-terminally delusional.\u00a0 At least they are trying.<\/p>\n\n\n https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiSt9q-iLDOAhVK3mMKHbJjBR0QFggeMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.advisorperspectives.com%2Fcommentaries%2F20160807-mauldin-economics-world-gone-backwards.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFj8Bl6uNqtsa9j9S0mqvKWK1-SWw&sig2=lVfa5sIPwP12McjQeEPyYw<\/a><\/p>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ignore Brin’s usual frothing, and with the caveat that I haven’t had time to read this yet.
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