THE imagery of a flat world, embedded in equal partnership and interdependence between countries within the “global village,” based on gains through free trade and market forces while eschewing power from economic relations, ends in a dramatic climax. Those who could not see imperialism in the globalised world, or could only recognise “empire without geography” as capital combined with power in a stateless form, now seem perplexed by the crude justification and assertion of coercion by the US under President Trump.

IN recent decades, there has been a growing association between global investment and innovation. Nearly 20 per cent of global multinational enterprises (MNEs) are technology firms, and the sectors attracting the largest shares of investment are closely linked to digital innovation.

THE Government of India proposed four Labour Codes claiming to reform the employer-worker relationship which was otherwise archaic and complex with too many rules and regulations. The much-needed labour reform as had been argued was meant to simplify the rules, address the changing needs of production flexibility and to take care of the ‘unprotected’ who are employed in the informal sector. These reforms are proposed in the context of the larger argument that competitiveness of Indian producers suffers due to labour market rigidity.

ACCORDING to Donald Trump it is time for a reverse relocation of manufacturing from the Global South to the US. He expressed his anguish to Apple CEO Tim Cook for the plan to extend operations in India. US now needs manufacturing because by relocating low value-added assembling, they would be able to provide jobs to average Americans who badly need them. Apple employs 3 lakh workers in China and 60,000 in India. If these facilities are relocated, US could straight away create about 3.5 lakhs new jobs!

WHETHER it is neoliberalism or neoconservatism, as seen with the rise of Trump, it fundamentally serves to protect the hegemony of the rentier class while increasing the burden on working people. Since the 1970s, governments, academia, and the media have promoted ideals like free markets, trade, a level playing field, and multilateral trade norms where countries are seen as equal trading partners – at least in principle. The concept of a "flat world" and the "global village" symbolised interdependence between countries based on mutual gains.