Doom Loop: Globalization, Populism, and the New Geopolitics of Conflict

"Doom Loop" examines the destructive feedback cycle between economic globalization, rising populism, and geopolitical conflict-termed the "Doom Loop," Morissen argues that the very forces that once drove global integration (trade liberalization, financial interconnectedness, technological progress) have now created systemic vulnerabilities: economic dislocation, rising inequality, and cultural anxiety. These conditions fuel populist movements that prioritize nationalism and protectionism, which in turn erode international cooperation, trigger trade wars, and reignite great-power rivalries. This political fragmentation then exacerbates economic instability, completing the cycle. "Doom Loop" traces the historical evolution of globalization since WWII, analyzes case studies (US-China rivalry, Brexit, Latin American populism), and proposes pathways forward, including economic policy reforms, revitalized multilateral institutions, and fostering social cohesion through dialogue and inclusive growth.