This study investigates how the Great Recession affected American attitudes toward trade.
Key Findings:
The economic downturn did not significantly increase hostility toward trade among most Americans. However, individuals working in industries directly threatened by imports showed increased opposition to foreign commerce.
Though unemployment rose during this period, it was non-material factors that fueled the majority of growing anti-trade sentiment:
- Increased Ethnocentrism: Growing suspicion or preference for one's own culture over others.
- Opposition to Global Involvement: Heightened reluctance regarding international engagement and cooperation.
The Surprising Driver:
The most significant contributor was increasing anxiety about future foreign harm, even absent current negative impacts.
This means that economic hardship alone did not drive broad anti-globalization trends.
