1. Can Economic Globalization and Neoliberal Economic Policies Reduce Global Poverty and Inequality?

"Ultimately globalization will be judged by whether it can alleviate poverty."

- Jeffrey Sachs, 2002

Proponents of neoliberalism argue processes of economic globalization indicate the triumph of free-market capitalism with primarily positive consequences for world wealth creation and distribution. Conversely, critics question whether poverty can be reduced within the globalizing capitalist economic system emphasizing negative consequences such as growing income inequality. Can economic globalization, driven by the dominant ideology of neoliberalism and its associated policies, reduce global poverty and inequality and improve global welfare? Why or why not? After investigating the relationship between economic globalization and global poverty and inequality, make a argument to answer this question. Identify and explore at least three reasons for your answer/argument.

1. Required Readings on Political Globalization

Maclean, G. and Wood, D. (2010). "International Politics and Foreign Policy." In Politics: An Introduction (1st ed.) (pp. 284-293). Oxford: OUP.

Steger, M. B. (2017). "Chapter 4: The Political Dimension of Globalization." In Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (4th ed.) (pp. 62-79). Oxford: OUP.