This may be an unpopular definition of globalization. Other definitions frequently include descriptions of rampant capitalism and exploitation of the economically disadvantaged, but these are actually descriptions of what people believe the results of globalization are or will be.

There are some who believe that free trade between people in different nations is a bad thing, and that goods should be produced as close as possible to where they are consumed. There are proposals that not only should trade between nations be discouraged, but that trade between states be discouraged also. One Nation were of this view.

Attractive though the slogans sound, taking this argument to its logical conclusion would ban trade with the next town, the next neighborhood, or the next city block. Clearly this is idiocy. If everyone had to live a subsistence living, their standard of living would be incredibly low, due to lack of economies of scale.

Making one's own clothes with a self-manufactured needle and thread between baking their own bread from hand milled flour from self-grown non genetically improved crops would be an incredibly hard lifestyle, and would reduce life expectancy below Victorian levels. In a modern world we specialize, and the specialization leads to economies of scale. A specialist baker, with specialized baking equipment can bake a loaf of bread in a fraction of the time of someone who is also a farmer, clothes-maker and miller. People specialize and trade with those around them.

Trade occurs between individuals, tribes, villages, towns, cities, states and finally countries, as technology brings communications and transport costs down. This leads to enormous economies of scale. It also allows groups to find comparative advantage. Globalization is the growth of trade to include international trade.

Many anti-globalization demonstrators will tell you that trade between rich nations is OK, and trade between poor nations is OK, but trade between rich and poor nations is bad because it leads to exploitation. In fact voluntary trade between rational parties is not exploitative.

Many anti-globalization demonstrators are very much in favor of capital flowing out of the first world into into the third world, they are just not in favor of any goods flowing back. They wish to dictate what kinds of trade others can do, and impose their own command economy views onto the world economy. Ironic, since their justification is to stop people controlling others. The very people who talk most about personal freedom are the first to attempt to prevent people from trading with their partners of choice.