Defending Globalization

Explore Globalization: Ideas, Impact, and the Future

A man in a light blue shirt stands in front of a collage of images showing diverse groups of children and teenagers, with some smiling and others engaged in various activities, symbolizing education or community involvement.

What is globalization, and what has it delivered?

Globalization faces renewed attention—and criticism. Like any market phenomenon, the free movement of people, things, money, and ideas across natural or political borders is imperfect and often disruptive. But it has also produced undeniable benefits—for the United States and the world—that no other system can match. And it’s been going on since the dawn of recorded history.

Drawing on evidence and history, this self-paced course makes a clear case for global integration as a key force behind rising prosperity, expanding opportunity, and peaceful cooperation.

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Lesson One

Cato Institute Vice President Scott Lincicome explains his team’s motivation behind the new Faces of Globalization video series and Cato’s ongoing Defending Globalization project.

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Lesson Two

Tiny West Point, Georgia was one an American “textile town” crippled by
globalization.

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Lesson Three

A common criticism of globalization is that its costs aren’t worth the “cheap
T-shirts” we get in return.

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Lesson Four

Digital trade is globalization’s hottest area today, and gaming is a huge part of
that trend.

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What You’ll Discover:

This Cato Course explores how the free exchange of goods, ideas, and people across borders drives innovation and prosperity. It examines the historical development of economic integration, the moral arguments in favor of open markets, and the real-world impacts of trade and migration.

You’ll investigate how trade and innovation raise living standards, why migration increases opportunity, and how open exchange relates to individual freedom.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  • Describe the historical evolution of global economic integration;

  • Explain how free trade and capital mobility contribute to human progress;

  • Evaluate common criticisms of globalization using libertarian principles of voluntary exchange and individual rights; and

  • Identify policy approaches that support open, prosperous, and free societies.

In under an hour, you’ll gain a principled understanding of how globalization works, and why it matters for freedom and prosperity. You’ll also strengthen your ability to examine global policy issues with clarity and evidence.

Who this course is for:

  • Students and Young Professionals interested in globalization and libertarian thought.

  • Liberty-Minded Activists looking for intellectual ammunition for advocacy.

  • Lifelong Learners/Long-time Partners engaging more deeply with Cato’s resources.

Requirements:

  • No background is needed. This Cato course is for anyone eager to dive into globalization.

Course FAQ

  • How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

  • This online course is available at no cost thanks to Cato Institute’s Partners championing innovation, freedom, and prosperity.

  • The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course—you decide when you start and when you finish.

  • Yes! This course is designed for young minds, but it’s open to anyone eager to learn. Whether you are new to the topic or looking to sharpen your skills, you will find valuable insights here.


  • Everything you need is provided within the course, but having a notebook and an open mind is always a plus!

FEATURED CONTENT

A collection of Beatles vinyl records and album covers, including titles like "Let It Be," "Long Tall Sally," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand".

PUBLICATIONS

At its best, music has always been a blend of global cultures and influences.

A red T-shirt with text listing various cities and states, floating in space with Earth visible in the background.

STUDY

We worked with a multinational t-shirt manufacturer to show how modern global supply chains work and how things made abroad still support many American jobs.

A young woman sitting alone in a movie theater, watching a film, with a large bucket of popcorn and a soda next to her.

PUBLICATIONS

Viewers today enjoy a larger, more diverse selection of high-quality video content than ever before—and even greater changes may be on the way.