Columbia Professor Offers Insight on the Shifting Opinions Around Globalization at Avon Old Farms
On Monday, April 21, Avon Old Farms students had the rare opportunity to hear from Dr. Jeffry Frieden, professor of government at Columbia University and one of the nation's foremost experts on international political economy. In a captivating talk titled “Understanding the Backlash Against Globalization,” Dr. Frieden traced the rise, and current unease with, the global economic order that has shaped our lives for the past century.
“Globalization was something we took for granted for over 80 years,” he told the audience. “But that era is coming to an end, and it will change the way we live.”
Dr. Frieden began by offering historical context, explaining that today’s global economy is actually the second great age of globalization. The first, spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, saw unprecedented integration between nations: open borders, a shared gold standard, and soaring trade. “It was a tremendous success by many measures,” he said. “But it collapsed with the outbreak of World War I and the interwar years of economic instability.”
He emphasized a key lesson from that collapse: while the early system worked for elites who held power, it ultimately fell apart when democratic societies demanded broader inclusion and resisted sacrifices that benefited only a few. “You cannot build a stable system that imposes the costs of prosperity on the many, while delivering the benefits to the few,” he warned.
The post-WWII era saw a revival of globalization—this time, combined with social welfare programs like pensions, public education, and healthcare. From the 1970s to 2010, world trade grew steadily, lifting millions out of poverty, particularly in Asia. “Before 1979, two-thirds of China’s population lived below the poverty line. Today, nearly no one does,” Frieden said, noting that his comments would reveal his personal opinion which he often tried to leave out of his talks. “That’s an extraordinary achievement—and it would not have happened without globalization.”
But beginning in the mid-2010s, that momentum began to stall. Dr. Frieden identified the 2016 U.S. presidential election as a turning point, marking the first time in decades that both major-party candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders ran on platforms that were skeptical of globalization. “The backlash wasn’t partisan,” he noted. “It was widespread, and it’s now global.”
Trade barriers have risen sharply in the past decade, and global supply chains—once hailed as engines of prosperity—are now seen as vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of China, Russian expansionism, and U.S. “forever wars” have all added fuel to this shift. Countries now worry about relying too heavily on others—particularly geopolitical rivals—for critical materials like semiconductors, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
Domestically, the United States faces growing social and economic inequality. Though GDP per capita has doubled since the 1980s, Dr. Frieden pointed out that middle-class income has increased by only about 30 percent. “That gap tells you a lot about where the rest of the money has gone—primarily to those with college degrees,” he said. “And two-thirds of American adults do not have a college degree.”
The result, he argued, is a deeply divided country: thriving cities and regions powered by technology and higher education, and struggling communities left behind by deindustrialization. “This is about more than economics. When factories close, it’s not just jobs that vanish: property values drop, local tax revenue dries up, schools suffer, infrastructure decays. Entire regions enter a downward spiral.”
This frustration has fueled the rise of populist political movements—not just in the U.S., but across Europe and beyond. “People feel that the system only works for the top 25 percent,” Frieden said. “And that perception is leading them to reject existing institutions, often in favor of parties and policies that promise protectionism, nationalism, and change—regardless of the consequences.”
The future, according to Frieden, is uncertain but consequential. With the U.S. and other powers reassessing their global roles, international institutions like the WTO and the World Bank face growing skepticism. “The path chosen in the next few years will shape the global economy for decades to come,” he said.
Dr. Frieden’s visit was possible through the Evans History Initiative, named for legendary history teacher Peter M. Evans H’18, P’98. The Initiative brings renowned historians to campus and is preceded by a series of teach-ins led by members of the history department in preparation for the visit. In recent years, the Evans History Initiative has featured Nicholas Kristof, Erik Larson, Lee McIntyre, Ramita Navai, and Dexter Filkins. The Evans History Initiative is sponsored by the Drew family, including John Drew P'85,'87, GP'17,'18,'24; Chris Drew '85, P'17, '18; David Drew '87; Katy Drew P'24; Carson Drew '17; Brian Drew '18; and Teddy Braiewa '24.
Dr. Frieden’s morning presentation concluded with a Q&A session, where students posed thoughtful questions about trade policy, social equity, and geopolitical strategy. He then spent the first two class periods meeting with students enrolled in relevant subjects like economics or history. This allowed students the opportunity to ask more questions and hold a more intimate discussion.
Timmy Adams ’25, a postgraduate student from Massachusetts, took the opportunity to ask about the potential of the U.S. dollar losing its distinction of being the world’s reserve currency—something he had recently learned about in his AP Microeconomics class. “I just wanted to know his view and to know more about the topic in general,” Timmy explained. Dr. Frieden’s visit overall was enlightening for Timmy, who plans to study business at Bryant University beginning in the fall. “I thought his presentation was great. He knew so much about the topic, so I was glad I got to ask him a few questions.”
The questions posed by Timmy and the rest of his peers impressed Dr. Frieden. “This is an impressive place,” he said. “The campus is beautiful, and the students are all very thoughtful and engaged. They asked some great questions—and they’re very well dressed, too.”
As the Avon community continues to engage with current global issues, Dr. Frieden’s talk provided a sobering yet insightful look at the economic and political crosscurrents that will define the future. “Change is here to stay,” he said. “The only question is how we choose to respond. The post-World War II landscape set the stage for the past 50 years of my life. What happens in the next few years will set the stage for the next 50 of yours, so I encourage you to pay attention.”