Why understanding globalization’s roots lets us use it for good

Value Chains

Why understanding globalization’s roots lets us use it for good

Though the ship has sailed on the debate about whether globalization leaves some people worse off, the development community still hasn't quite figured out how to maneuver the tiller. But history repeats itself, they say, and a deep understanding of globalization’s roots might just provide navigational clues for the future.

The University of Texas at Austin’s online course “Age of Globalization” explores the topic through the lens of competition and connectivity, with Professor John Hoberman at the helm.

“Globalization is unimaginable without the unprecedented electronic networks that project dominant cultural products into every society on earth,” says the course description.

Dominant cultural products like Coca Cola? Yes. And understanding how that globalized system can be harnessed to bring cold Coca Cola to the farthest reaches of the globe means you can also harness it to deliver life-saving medicines. Powerful.

The 15-week MOOC is available for free through edx.org starting August 27.

Want more? In October, Georgetown University is offering another edX course along these lines: Globalization's Winners and Losers: Challenges for Developed and Developing Countries


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