There's a lot of talk about the downside of global trade agreements, and the globalizing of jobs. But some of globalization's upsides are striking - and rarely discussed.
Thanks to ever-expanding access to the Internet for both individuals and small companies, we no longer live in a world of "haves" and "have nots," but of "haves" and "have mores," according to James Manyika, a director at McKinsey & Company and the Vice Chairman of President Obama's Global Development Council.
His recent book, No Ordinary Disruption: The Four Global Forces Breaking All the Trends examines how globalization has given a major boost to people around the world in the past decade.
Widespread access to the global market by individuals and small companies means per capita GDP is on the rise.
But even Manyika admits that it's not all sunshine and roses.
The solution may come, in part, from immigration. Immigrants are generally working-age, and pay taxes to support the social safety net of their new country. And Manyika argues that immigrants are desperately needed to address a rapidly aging population in the developed world: in 2050, there will be twice as many people over the age of 65 as there are under 18.
Manyika fears that with so many of us nearing retirement, productivity would take a major blow.
This makes Manyika cautious about the global economy going forward.