Encouraging international cooperation isn't consolidating power. It's learning to live together on the same planet.
International cooperation can be achieved without an integrated political and economic structure. My country doesn't need to have the same economic policies and regulations as your country to live in harmony with you, or to take on international projects together like sending aid to some natural disaster, or doctors to communities that need them, or to agree in standards, or to foster academic research.
"a more integrated global political and economic structure" means 1. bodies that have political power over national governments, which would make the implementation of standard regulations easier and 2. open borders for trade. Of course a billionaire involved in a number of translational companies wants this.
As far as consolidating power goes, the US and China have some pretty big fish because their economies have been on steroids for a while. But other countries rely on national regulation to keep their national companies and local economies from being overrun by these big players. Least you know monopolies wouldn't exist only on the national level, but internationally, and then what do you do? National monopolies are a pain to get rid of, those would only be worse.
- It creates tax havens by allowing corps to claim profits in the country of their choosing. (see Apple Inc.)
- It forces workers in developed countries to compete with workers in countries that don't have adequate human rights/pay. (see Walmart)
- It wreaks havoc on the environment by overproduction and shipping.
- People in underdeveloped countries pay the price for pollution created in developed countries.
- Corporations become huge very quickly and end up having massive influence in politics of several countries.
- Countries ultimately lose their sovereignty to the shareholders of these mega-corps.
Globalization is a big tent with lots of different people in it with different motivations and priorities. The effect is mixed. It undoubtedly has accelerated growth and encouraged stability in the developing world. At the same time, it normalizes non-Western social/economic models and tends to undermine welfare states.
Not if we realize we share this planet and ought to be collectively interested in its health.
There are people in places who are happy with the way things are, and people in other places who wouldn't like it that way.
The US has many social programs, social security, subsidies, etc. People have been saying for years that these are unsustainable. The national debt has been an issue since founding 250 years ago. Some feel it weakens us. Others feel it ensures we maintain friendly relationships with neighbors.
If there were a major war right now, and the US were unable to defend its allies, the value of the dollar would tank. That keeps us and our allies concerned about each other's safety. I think that's a good thing, so long as we don't tank our economy in doing so.
Right, which is why globalization tends to undermine welfare states. TPP, the EU, trade agreements, etc. All those reduce the ability of voters to "run their country the way they want."
We already do it within the US. Items shipped out of state aren't taxed. It promotes trade and development.