In the 1990s, the United States and many other countries adopted "free trade" policies to eliminate commercial barriers among nations and create a more integrated global economy. Supporters of globalization argue that it has spurred trade, reduced poverty and income inequality, and brought the world closer together. Opponents of globalization, however, argue that it has lowered wages, gutted the middle class, weakened environmental protections, and undermined local control. Has globalization improved people's lives and boosted economic growth worldwide? Or has globalization backfired?

Originally released by Intelligence Squared US, 2023. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on May 24, 2023.