Globalization and the Economy: What Students Think

Do attitudes toward globalization change with economic conditions? This paper compares student attitudes during an economic expansion with student attitudes during an economic recession. Globalization has resulted in lower prices, more choices, and a blurring of the lines of national identity for many products. Its impact also includes loss of domestic jobs, trade disputes, and challenges to national sovereignty by organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Two surveys were administered in the College of Commerce and Business Administration at an AACSB-accredited southeastern United States university. The first took place in 2003 while the region was enjoying low unemployment and a vigorous economic expansion. The second was administered in 2009 during a time of significantly higher unemployment and economic recession. The 2003 survey found very positive views towards most aspects of globalization. In contrast, the second survey during markedly more depressed economic times found students were more concerned with their own self-interest, preferring less government interference and less globalization. The results suggest that attempts to promote trade agreements should consider economic conditions as part of their process of developing public support.