16. Read the following excerpt from the World Economic Forum’s report, “Global Risks 2012.”

“Two dominant issues of concern emerged from the Arab Spring, the ‘Occupy’ movements world wide and recent similar incidents of civil discontent:

the growing frustration among citizens with the political and economic establishment, and the rapid public mobilization enabled by greater technological connectivity.… Chronic labour market imbalances, chronic fiscal imbalances and severe income dispar ity … could lead to a retrenchment from globaliza tion and the emergence of a new type of critical fragile states– formerly wealthy countries that descend into a spiral of decay as they become increasingly unable to meet their social and fiscal obligations. The signs already exist that the world is becoming more fragmented, inconsistent and mis trustful …”

a. Why are some citizens growing discontented and what does it have to do with globalization?

b. Is it reasonable to blame labor imbalances, fiscal imbalances or income disparity on globalization?

c. Which countries are most likely to retrench from globalization, and what do they stand to gain or lose?