ABSTRACT
A century and a half after the repeal of the Corn Laws, there continues to be debate about the merit of participating in a global market-place for goods, services, capital, labour and ideas. Proponents of globalization suggest that the route to general prosperity lies in a recognition of the interconnections between national economic systems, and that their integration provides opportunities for a more efficient pattern of resource exploitation and use. Those who disagree argue that such generalized propositions on welfare may conceal the disproportional impact of deregulated commerce upon particular nations and groups, and reject an uncritical acceptance of the virtues of globalization. Furthermore, they suggest that the process of economic deregulation increases the impact of human society on the natural environment, and undermines efforts towards achieving the goal of ecological integrity.
