A Review: R. Baldwin, “The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization” (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2016)

• Main Author: Nicola Montagna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Globus et Locus 2017-05-01
• Series: Glocalism: Journal of Culture, Politics and Innovation
• Subjects: globalization; books
• Online Access: http://www.glocalismjournal.net/Issues/THE-GLOCAL-POLITICAL-POWER/The-Latest-Books/A-Review-R-Baldwin-The-Great-Convergence-Information-Technology-And-The-New-Globalization-Cambridge-Belknap-Press-Of-Harvard-University-Press-2016_1.kl

In the introduction of his book, Richard Baldwin ambitiously says that its reading will “change our way to look at globalisation”. While the aim may sound too pretentious and in some respect misplaced, The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization is certainly timely. While it is hard to say whether or not globalisation has entered a terminal crisis, it is true that we are witnessing to processes of de-globalisation and relative attempts of national governments to regain some sovreignty. Against the view that globalisation has reached its terminus, this book states that on the contary it is entering a new phase. Its central assertion is that the radical changes in communication technology around 1990s have transformed the nature of globalization, reducing the costs of production and transferring massive north-to-south flows of know-how. What Baldwin calls “New Globalisation” not only has produced a great convergence of profit shares between the most industrialized and some industrializing countries as a consequence of shifting production to the latter, but it also set the basis for a “Third Wave” of globalisation.