Globalization

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International trade policies and new technologies facilitate the flow of people, information, and products across national borders, in turn encouraging the integration of regional economies, societies, and cultures. RAND research has investigated how globalization affects and has been affected by policymaking throughout the world.

  • A student listens through headphones to an exercise in a Spanish class in Steveange, UK, photo by Ian Miles/Flashpoint Pictures/Alamy

    Essay

    The Economic Returns of Foreign Language Learning

    If just 10 percent more students in the United Kingdom mastered Arabic, Mandarin, French, or Spanish, the economic returns could be measured in billions of British pounds. Removing the language barrier reduces trade costs.

    Jul 7, 2022

  • A world map superimposed over people's raised hands, photo by Rawpixel/Getty Images

    Report

    Advancing Global Citizenship in America

    Concerted international action is required to address climate change and sustainability, pandemics, global security, and economic growth. But such action requires a sense of common destiny and shared responsibility among people across nations. What are Americans' attitudes toward global issues, and what could encourage them to become citizens of the world?

    Mar 24, 2022

Explore Globalization

  • Periodical

    Periodical

    RAND Review: July-August 2017

    This issue highlights recent RAND research on the prevalence and burden of chronic health conditions; on the economic benefits of U.S. overseas security commitments; and on what RAND is doing to anticipate emerging global security challenges.

    Jul 11, 2017

  • Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 17, 2017

    Commentary

    China Stressed a Growing Interest in Global Trade and Governance at Davos

    President Xi Jinping became the first Chinese leader to appear at the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum last week. He gave a keynote speech that defended global trade and criticized protectionism. His speech reflected, in part, the reality that China has profited enormously from decades of globalization.

    Jan 24, 2017

  • Technician working in a control room

    Commentary

    Carrier Deal Does Not Carry the Day for American Workers

    Despite the good intentions, pressuring companies like Carrier to keep jobs in the U.S. addresses only the smaller part of the problem, globalization, not the larger one, technological change. A long term solution would be to upgrade the education and training system so that students graduate with skills for life-long learning.

    Dec 21, 2016

  • Man looking at chart of China's stock market

    Commentary

    Cracks in the Chinese Powerhouse

    Like most countries that have experienced rapid development, China is struggling to transition from a highly successful but unsustainable economic model. Beijing faces the additional challenge of executing difficult reforms in the face of an inhospitable global economy.

    Dec 19, 2016

  • Metal tooth wheel mechanism concept of inequality and equality

    Commentary

    Curbing Globalization Won't Halt the Rise of Inequality

    Globalization may be one of many factors driving inequality. But ending trade agreements and throwing up trade barriers is unlikely to stop this trend.

    Dec 14, 2016

  • The blast furnaces at the now-closed Bethlehem Steel mill remain standing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, April 22, 2016

    Commentary

    America's Shifting Labor Market in a Technology-Driven World

    Making America competitive in a transitioning market will require examining future labor market requirements. Workforce development programs that target building labor capacity for a new economy will be essential.

    Nov 25, 2016

  • A worker reads a freshly printed newspaper with the headline reading

    Commentary

    Is the U.S. Abandoning the World Order It Created?

    In the 20th century the United States created and expanded a world order that has provided security and prosperity—and it has borne much of the cost for sustaining it. Can that liberal global order be updated rather than jettisoned?

    Nov 14, 2016

  • Antoine van Agtmael, Lawrence Ingrassia, and Randal Quarles at RAND's Politics Aside event in Santa Monica, November 12, 2016

    Blog

    Who Wins Globalization?

    While more needs to be done for those who once worked in industries such as furniture manufacturing, where essentially all activity has moved to lower-cost nations, the U.S. is starting to see an increase in manufacturing activity because of new types of technological advances.

    Nov 14, 2016

  • LED map of the continental United States

    Essay

    Election 2016: The Domestic Issues

    RAND offers a unique take on the big domestic issues facing America: research that is independent, reliable, and rigorously nonpartisan.

    Oct 3, 2016

  • A ship is unloaded using Super Post Panamax cranes in Miami, Florida, May 19, 2016

    Commentary

    Eliminating Jobs or Strengthening the Economy? The Impact of Trade Policies on the American Worker

    The enormous benefits of trade include economic growth, more variety for industry and consumers, and lower prices. But trade can displace some American workers. Training programs, relocation assistance, and wage insurance can help.

    Aug 30, 2016

  • A man working at a 3D printer

    Commentary

    Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses

    Three trends have important implications for the future of work: a shifting demography toward older workers, more women, and more diversity; continuing technological change that will increase the demand for skilled workers; and increased globalization.

    Aug 23, 2016

  • Glass globe on graph of world economies and currency

    Blog

    Puzzles, Paradoxes, Controversies, and the Global Economy

    In a wide-ranging collection of essays first published between 2007 and 2014, Charles Wolf Jr. shares his insights on the world's economies, including those of China, the United States, Japan, Korea, India, and others.

    Jun 1, 2015

  • A man walking in the financial district of Pudong in downtown Shanghai

    Commentary

    The U.S.-China Crossover

    According to the IMF, the U.S. and Chinese GDPs in 2015 are $18.4 trillion and $11.1 trillion, respectively. Current and impending conditions in both economies suggest that the estimates of when China will surpass the U.S. are likely premature, and by a substantial margin.

    Mar 20, 2015

  • Upper facade of modern terraced real estate

    Report

    The Rise of a Global Middle Class: Global Societal Trends to 2030

    Accelerating economic growth has led to decreasing between-country inequality over the last decade but within-country inequality is on the rise. Within-country inequality may generate a range of negative outcomes, including potential decline in social cohesion.

    Feb 12, 2015

  • Dayan Candappa, Carlos Slim Helu, and Saad Mohseni at RAND's Politics Aside 2014

    Blog

    The Risks and Rewards of Emerging Markets

    Emerging markets may offer challenges ranging from corruption to the threat of violence, but the rewards can be worth the risks, experts said during a panel discussion at RAND's Politics Aside event. Reuters Americas Editor Dayan Candappa moderated the panel which included Carlos Slim Helú, a businessman, investor, and philanthropist, and Saad Mohseni, CEO of MOBY Group.

    Nov 16, 2014

  • Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and China's Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on August 26, 2014. Officials say Mugabe is seeking funds to rebuild decaying roads, rail and power facilities, and to help mechanise Zimbabwe's agriculture.

    Blog

    RAND Experts Discuss Chinese Engagement in Africa

    Larry Hanauer and Lyle Morris discussed their recent report, Chinese Engagement in Africa, as part of RAND's China Luncheon Series. They took a comprehensive look at Chinese and African objectives in the political and economic spheres and the means by which they work to achieve their goals.

    Oct 14, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    China's International Behavior: Chinese translation (traditional characters)

    China's international activism is one of the newest and most important trends in global affairs. This monograph (translated into traditional Chinese characters) analyzes how China defines its international objectives, how it is pursuing them, and what it means for U.S. interests.

    May 5, 2014

  • pie chart illustration over a world map

    Commentary

    Happy 80th Birthday, 'GDP' — Is It Not Time to Retire?

    While there are merits to using GDP, it is clear that it fails to measure several important potential externalities to economic growth, such as environmental damage, poor working conditions, or violations of privacy rights.

    Feb 6, 2014

  • News Release

    News Release

    The EU Can Save Billions

    The common policies of the EU countries have paid off. For the first time, there are euro and cent calculations to prove that the transferal of policies to the EU level, and their funding through the EU, actually saves national governments money.

    Jul 11, 2013

  • Irish Defence Force and British Army working together in Mali

    Commentary

    Fighting Fit? Why Europe Needs Fewer Soldiers

    If greater co-ordination were possible across European nations — allied to a more professional cadre of soldiers — far fewer troops would be required, writes Matt Bassford. A reduction in land forces could deliver savings of approximately €6.5 billion in wage costs alone.

    Jul 11, 2013

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