Deglobalization Trends and Communication Variables: A Multifaceted Analysis from 2009 to 2023
Abstract
This paper examines the correlation between rising trade protectionism—an indicator of economic deglobalization—and key communication and social variables from 2009 to 2023. Drawing on data from Global Trade Alert, Nexis Uni, Google searches, and Facebook (via CrowdTangle), we investigate the prevalence of “deglobalization” discourse, language entropy, political polarization, protests, and digital authoritarianism. The analysis is framed by Optimal Information Theory, World Systems Theory, and other social science perspectives to explain how deglobalization may potentially reshape public communication. The results suggest that greater trade protectionism is associated with increased mentions of deglobalization, higher language entropy (i.e., less dominance of English), amplified political polarization, more frequent protest activity, and heightened digital authoritarian measures.