The Naked Truth About Globalization

I recently had lunch with an ardent opponent of globalization. This man has at his command an overwhelming number of facts and figures on the issue — all of which he employs to make his point that nations should not engage in trade with each other.

We debated the topic for the better part of an hour. I vainly defended the pros of globalization, while he staunchly held forth on the cons. Exasperated, I finally asked, "Is there any aspect of globalization you don't object to?"

Without taking much time to reflect, he blurted out his answer, "Yes, there is one thing I would not object to — nudity on U.S. beaches! I believe our country, in the summertime, should look just like the beaches of the French Riviera."

I considered this a victory — albeit a small one — for the forces of pro-globalization. One should thus keep up hope that even the most adamant foes of globalization can find something to like in the new global economy.