## Harold James on Globalization: New Concept Old Reality

_IMF Podcasts, November 30, 2016_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Harold James on Globalization: New Concept Old Reality](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2017/11/11/harold-james-on-globalization-new-concept-old-reality)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2017/11/11/harold-james-on-globalization-new-concept-old-reality/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2017/11/11/harold-james-on-globalization-new-concept-old-reality/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2017/11/11/harold-james-on-globalization-new-concept-old-reality/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: November 30, 2016

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### Overview
- Episode date: November 30, 2016.
- Central theme: The term "globalization" is recent, while the internationalization of markets, people, ideas, and cultures is not new.
- Core argument: Historical perspectives can help guide contemporary choices about globalization.

### Key points from Harold James
- Globalization as a term is recent.
- The internationalization of:
  - markets,
  - people,
  - ideas,
  - cultures
  is a long-standing historical phenomenon.
- The past provides lessons that may guide future policy and public discussion about global integration.

### Publication and authorship
- Harold James is Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University and serves as IMF Historian.
- James is the author of "New Concept Old Reality," published in the December 2016 edition of Finance and Development magazine.

### Imagery and historical reference
- Visual reference: Immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, New York, in the early 20th century — used to evoke historical patterns of human mobility.

### Production credits
- Podcast producer: Bruce Edwards, International Monetary Fund.
  - Bruce Edwards is described as an award-winning audio producer and journalist who has covered armed conflicts, social unrest, and natural disasters from multiple regions.
- Additional audio producer: Rhoda Metcalfe, independent journalist and audio producer.

---

## Content in this bundle

- [James (MP3)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-podcast/imported-podcast-mp3/external/podcast/2016/james.mp3){rel="external" type="audio/mpeg"}

---

## References

- [Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas on the Story Behind the Number](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/06/30/pierre-olivier-gourinchas-2026)
- [Jeffry Frieden: The Cost of Geoeconomic Coercion](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/06/23/jeffrey-frieden-coercion)
- [Trade among Geopolitical Rivals: Michele Ruta](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/06/11/michele-ruta-trade-cooperation)
- [Dani Rodrik on Rethinking Development](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/09/10/dani-rodrik-sep-2026)
- [Ha-Joon Chang on Infant Industry Protection](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/08/10/ha-joon-chang-2026)
- [Krishna Srinivasan on Asia’s Next Chapter](https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2026/09/01/krishna-srinivasan-sept-2026)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/podcasts/all-podcasts/2017/11/11/harold-james-on-globalization-new-concept-old-reality_