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Globalization Impact Analyzer

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About This MicroSim

This MicroSim shows how globalization affects different economic groups in different ways. Six stakeholder groups -- Consumers, Export Workers, Factory Workers, Tech Workers, Small Businesses, and Overall GDP -- respond differently to changes in the level of globalization. Students adjust a slider from protectionist (low globalization) to free trade (high globalization) and observe that while some groups benefit (consumers get lower prices, exporters find new markets), others are hurt (factory workers face competition from lower-wage countries). The key insight is that globalization raises total GDP but distributes gains unevenly.

How to Use

  1. Adjust the Globalization Level -- Move the slider from 0% (protectionist) to 100% (maximum free trade). The label above shows the current globalization regime.
  2. Read the Impact Bars -- Each horizontal bar shows whether a group is better off (green, extending right) or worse off (red, extending left) compared to the neutral baseline. The number on the right shows the magnitude of impact.
  3. Click on a Group -- Click any group's bar to see a detailed description of why that group is affected by globalization in the detail panel below.
  4. Observe the Key Insight -- The bottom of the display summarizes how many winner and loser groups exist and notes that total GDP rises even as gains are unevenly shared.

Iframe Embed Code

You can add this MicroSim to any web page by adding this to your HTML:

<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/economics-course/sims/globalization-impact/main.html"
        height="482px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

9-12 (High School Economics)

Duration

10-15 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of international trade and globalization
  • Familiarity with different sectors of the economy (manufacturing, technology, retail)
  • Knowledge of how competition affects prices and wages

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 min): Have students move the globalization slider from 0% to 100% and click on each group to read descriptions. Ask them to list all groups that benefit from globalization and all groups that are hurt, and explain why each group is affected the way it is.
  2. Guided Practice (5 min): Set globalization to 75% and discuss: "If overall GDP goes up but factory workers are worse off, is globalization good or bad?" Introduce the concept that good policy should help the losers from trade (retraining programs, trade adjustment assistance) while preserving the overall gains.
  3. Assessment (5 min): Students write a policy proposal in 3-4 sentences that takes advantage of globalization's benefits while addressing its costs, identifying at least one specific group that needs support and what kind of support would help.

Assessment

  • Can the student identify which economic groups benefit and which are harmed by increased globalization?
  • Can the student explain why total GDP can rise while some groups are worse off?
  • Does the student understand the policy challenge of distributing globalization's gains more equitably?

References

  1. Globalization - Wikipedia
  2. Trade Adjustment Assistance - Wikipedia
  3. Winners and Losers of Globalization - Investopedia