For two centuries, the world has headed towards globalization. Advances in transport, manufacturing and distribution – not to mention sales and marketing – have allowed the planet's burgeoning population to collect more possessions than at any point in history – and relatively affordably, too.
However, the future of globalization is far from sure. Many of the world's long-established powers are having to come to terms with a post-industrial economy, and some of the more populist leaders are courting support by considering protectionist measures which promise – however hollowly – to restore domestic productivity at the expense of international trade.
