But, alas, it was a short-lived joy. I will not avoid the word. Some people perceive globalisation as a threatening process that is being forced upon us from outside forces beyond our control. Others perceive globalisation as a welcome opportunity for growth, expansion and wealth. The view depends very much on where you are - in geographic and social terms.
Globalisation is at the same time very specific and rather abstract, a state of mind.
Globalisation is, in short, increased social relations internationally. All of these elements have increased significantly over the past decades. These very tangible building blocks of globalisation look as if they will continue to increase. And I hope that they will increase, because we need international economic relations, and in particular trade and FDI, for sustained economic growth, both here but in particular in developing countries. Because globalisation is also a state of mind, a perception of the world and of our own role in the world.