Global Capitalism

Global capitalism refers to the interconnected economic system that spans across national borders, where capital, goods, services, and labor move freely to create a global market. The emergence of global capitalism is deeply intertwined with historical shifts in political, technological, and economic structures, particularly the acceleration of trade and investment in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. At its core, global capitalism is driven by the logic of profit maximization, competition, and the pursuit of economic efficiency on a global scale. The roots of global capitalism can be traced to the rise of industrial capitalism in the 18th and 19th centuries, which laid the foundation for an interconnected global economy. With the expansion of imperialism, the development of transportation technologies like steamships and railways, and the establishment of international financial institutions, economic activity increasingly transcended national boundaries. The post-World War II period saw an unprecedented acceleration of this trend, with institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank being established to facilitate international economic cooperation and development. The creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 further integrated global markets by promoting free trade and reducing trade barriers.