This thesis examines how the economic and social effects of globalization have impacted U.S. homeland security. Economic globalization, which is a shift from a regional or national economy toward global economy, has helped to create increasing economic inequality, impacting homeland security. This thesis examines literature on globalization, economic inequality, and homeland security, and reviews these ideas in light of two events in the United States: the Flint, Michigan, water crisis and the January 6, 2021, riots in Washington, DC. It finds that globalization has led to a decline in measures of well-being of the U.S. population and a loss of faith among some segments of that population that believe the U.S. economic and political systems no longer serve their interests. It finds that these declines are consistent with homeland security risks, provides recommendations on how to address the impacts of globalization in the future, and suggests areas of further study. These recommendations include ensuring that homeland security considerations are integrated into economic policy debates; adjusting economic policies to improve the distribution of income to Americans near the bottom of the income scale; reconfiguring how the cost of corporate failure is allocated, particularly with respect to critical infrastructure; and significantly revamping the U.S. Tax Code so that corporate actions that are antithetical to homeland security interests are disincentivized or penalized.Civilian, Yonkers Fire DepartmentApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited
