Local versus global

Globalisation clearly has its advantages. For some products, global markets make sense. This may be the case for electronic components and equipment, for specialised hi-tech and even for specialised services like complicated construction work like dredging. For any product or service requiring world class R&D investments.

For some markets however, I don't see the advantage, on the contrary. To give an example, I don't understand why we need to import (cheap low quality) products from abroad, when we have decent quality products at home. I think of most agricultural products, except those you can't grow in these countries. You may say these products from abroad lower the prices, but that is exactly my point: the price is already too low! We buy from other countries, then subsidise our own agriculture or industry.

I also refer to my blog on food miles. Some multinationals are already exploiting the advantages of a local approach. There is an economic and an ecological advantage at buying local. We should be prepared to pay a slightly higher price for a local service. We don't pay the ecological price now.

But in my opinion, this is still too much of a utilitarian approach. Human beings are more connected the closer they live. This is not a plea for particularism or provincialism. This is a plea for a re-establishment of the value of the 'locals', whether it be people, products or services.