Globalizzazione e crisi del 2008 : un'analisi internazionale comparata

The economic and social crisis brought by globalization in 2008 has been faced with unprecedented policy measures which have no equal in the past, both in terms of intensity and length. The paper highlights how these measures have in turn affected the pace and directions of globalization and the public opinion, through the increasing intervention of nation states, the introduction of protectionist policies and even the emergence of nationalistic ideologies. Using the best available indicators, the degree of globalization in 59 countries is measured and related to some economic and social outcomes. The results show that the protectionists policies have curbed globalisation in most Western Countries, but also reduced its positive effects on wellbeing, unemployment rate and perceived quality of life. Eastern countries have not been affected by the crisis and their trend of increasing globalization has not diminished. Their position in the global world is increasingly central as well as their capacity to influence important cultural aspects of globalization.