Argument: Globalization has improved living standards

Free trade and globalization increases the purchasing power of consumers

• Free trade increases the purchasing power of consumers

“Poverty in an Age of Globalization “, The World Bank ,October 2000

“These forces of integration have contributed to global prosperity and development
transformation. Despite a population increase from 1.8 billion to 6.0 billion, and despite giant political upheavals and wars, real average income per person has at least quintupled over the past century. Average global per capita income today exceeds that of the richest country at the turn of the century. And today’s average life expectancy exceeds that of the lead countries 100 years ago.”