Globalism is the ideology that prioritizes interconnected governance and economic cooperation across nations, aiming to centralize control to address large-scale issues like climate change, inequality, and technological change. Rather than emphasizing the autonomy of individual nations, globalism envisions a world where key decisions are made through international institutions and partnerships, aligning nations under common goals that transcend borders. A central proponent of globalism today is the World Economic Forum (WEF), which promotes the concept of "stakeholder capitalism," wherein governments, corporations, and civil society collaborate to pursue global objectives. This model often involves public-private partnerships in which state and corporate power are combined to address what the WEF views as global priorities, such as sustainable development and digital transformation. This approach envisions centralized economic restructuring, technological integration, and technocratic governance—a model frequently criticized for its potential to prioritize global objectives over national sovereignty, local interests, and individual freedoms.
Ideology and Implementation
Globalism is rooted in the belief that international cooperation is essential to solving complex global issues, such as poverty, climate change, and social inequality. To achieve these goals, globalism advocates for restructuring economic and political systems toward greater centralization, often using public-private partnerships to advance agendas framed as universally beneficial. A notable example of this is the WEF’s “Great Reset,” a proposal introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Great Reset envisions a fundamental restructuring of the global economy with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and technological adaptation. This initiative promotes shifts toward green energy, digital economies, and redefined social contracts, with an emphasis on building a “better” world by redesigning systems from the top down.
One underlying assumption of globalism is that human nature is largely cooperative and perfectible through centralized governance. This view often downplays the complexities of individual and cultural differences, assuming that systemic issues can be fixed through international policies and centralized controls. However, this approach faces criticism for concentrating power in unelected global entities and for often bypassing democratic processes in favor of technocratic solutions. Proponents see these strategies as essential to address problems that, in their view, cannot be solved by isolated nations alone, while critics warn that such centralization can lead to a loss of national sovereignty, economic independence, and the erosion of individual rights.
The Great Reset and Technocratic Governance
The WEF’s Great Reset is a prominent example of how globalism seeks to implement its vision. Introduced as a response to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Reset proposes an overhaul of economic and social systems worldwide. This plan emphasizes “building back better” by advancing green initiatives, digital transformation, and redefined economic models that place sustainability and “inclusivity” at their core. Technocratic governance—a system where experts in fields like science, economics, and technology hold significant influence over policy—plays a significant role in this vision. The Great Reset proposes solutions that often sideline local and national voices in favor of data-driven, expert-led approaches to social organization. Critics argue that this technocratic approach risks concentrating power in the hands of elites who may lack accountability to the general population, potentially sidelining democratic values and individual liberties.
Contrast with the Historic Christian View
Human Nature: Globalism tends to view human nature as improvable through systems and regulations. In contrast, the Bible teaches that human nature is inherently sinful (Romans 3:23), prone to corruption, and in need of divine redemption rather than merely external structures. As seen throughout Scripture, particularly in Genesis 11’s Tower of Babel account, centralized systems often lead to prideful rebellion against God, ultimately failing due to humanity’s sinful nature.
Globalism, particularly as represented in the Great Reset, often assumes a fundamentally optimistic view of human nature, believing that cooperative, centralized efforts can effectively manage complex societal issues. It downplays or ignores the biblical understanding of human nature, which acknowledges humanity’s fallenness and tendency toward self-interest and power-seeking (Romans 3:23). From a Christian perspective, the centralization of authority and resources in globalist initiatives can be problematic, as it risks enabling corruption and power abuse, especially when decision-making is removed from local and accountable structures (Jeremiah 17:9). Additionally, the Christian view emphasizes the importance of moral responsibility, community, and personal stewardship, in contrast to the technocratic assumption that experts can control or “reset” society from above.
In the Bible, principles of governance emphasize accountability, shared responsibility, and care for the individual, as seen in the structures for justice and leadership established in the Old Testament (Exodus 18:21-22) and the New Testament’s focus on servant leadership (Matthew 20:26-28). Centralized globalist policies often challenge these principles by removing decision-making from individuals and communities and placing it in the hands of global authorities. In contrast, Christianity promotes a view of governance rooted in service to others and the protection of individual freedoms under God’s law.
Danger of World Systems: The Bible warns of the dangers inherent in world systems that prioritize human authority over God’s sovereignty. In Revelation, we see world powers coming together in opposition to God’s rule (Revelation 13, 17), eventually culminating in judgment. Globalism’s push for centralized control mirrors these dangerous tendencies by advocating human solutions that often marginalize God’s authority, disregarding moral accountability to Him.
Limits on Human Authority: Christianity teaches that while government is ordained by God for justice and order (Romans 13:1-7), it must remain limited and accountable, with safeguards to prevent abuse of power. Globalism, by contrast, advocates expansive government and corporate control, often under the guise of technocratic governance, which risks encroaching on individual freedoms and national sovereignty. Technocracy, in particular, bypasses systems of accountability like democratic choice and the separation of powers, concentrating authority in the hands of a select few "experts" who claim to know what is best for humanity. This model dismisses the voice of the populace, replacing representative governance with decisions made by unelected officials and industry leaders, whose judgments shape the future with little input from the people they impact. The Bible’s emphasis on personal responsibility and governance that is limited and answerable to the people starkly contrasts with globalism’s centralized, top-down model, which entrusts the fate of nations to a small group of elites who operate without meaningful oversight.
True Solution to Global Issues: The globalism model assumes that human-made systems can solve core issues, yet history and Scripture reveal that human sin underlies problems like inequality, injustice, and oppression. The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the only solution to humanity’s brokenness (Acts 4:12), teaching that societal transformation begins with spiritual renewal in individuals rather than structural reform alone. Christian ethics prioritize heart transformation through the gospel, which alone can genuinely address injustice and moral decay.
Conclusion
Globalism’s presuppositions about human perfectibility and centralized governance fail to address the reality of human sin and the inherent limitations of human authority. By advocating a technocratic, often godless system, globalism overlooks the biblical truth that ultimate authority belongs to God alone. The Bible offers the true answer by pointing to Christ as the foundation for a just society and transformed hearts, calling humanity not to global power structures but to repentance and faith in God’s sovereign rule.