I have a feeling the next major task for mankind is not to liberalise trade and finances across borders, but to bring down those borders and increase living standards for all. The question is an old one - Do we allow the free market to reign unfettered or do we use the "wisdom" of Government to mold the new society we are moving into. No one has convinced me that free market economics takes into consideration social and environmental costs. This is where government comes into being. The rush to the lowest cost often ignores the reason why the costs are low (my argument is it is because environmental and social factors have not been taken into account).

Hence the next big shift in thinking will need to focus on not just a global economy, but a global citizenry and a global environment.

I am not convinced that markets work and governments don't. But combined, we have an opportunity to make a great global economy that takes into account other factors. I have nothing against Thai workers per se. But lets not kid ourselves, cheap air fares comes at a price.