But at the root of this concept is international trade.
Thought of in this way, globalization is still a work-in-progress: For example, in some countries, there are trade sanctions in place which prevent economic engagement with other countries. But at the root of this concept is international trade. This is not a new phenomenon — it’s ancient, in fact. For example, the incense trade route between the southern Arabian peninsula and the Mediterranean began in roughly the 7th century BCE.