Richard Baldwin: The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization

Abstract

At a time when the forces of globalization and automation face a backlash in large parts of the developed world for their role in displacing jobs and spurring inequality and as movies figuring dystopian futures with robots dominating the future gain traction, the book The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization by author Richard Baldwin provides an insightful, clear and fascinating portrayal of the role of information technology in shaping globalization. The author draws on almost three decades of extensive research and policy experience in international trade and the organization of global value chains to analyze how information technology gave rise to the offshoring revolution or “new globalization” starting in the 1990s and how further developments in robotics and communications technology are likely to expand the intensity, nature and scope of offshoring, changing the global landscape of tomorrow. With its skilful story-telling, the book is bound to draw in not only those with prior exposure to economics and business but a wider audience keen to understand the implications of information technology and globalization for jobs, welfare and development. The author has a treat in store for every reader. History buffs will revel in his colourful imagery of trade among ancient civilizations, the emergence of the Silk Route and the dawn of European Renaissance, readers familiar with the literature in international trade will recognize his skilful treatment of trade theory and almost all readers will enjoy the plethora of facts, figures and case studies supporting his arguments. Full paper available at http://doi.org/10.1515/ngs-2018-0004