One strange and negative fallout of globalization, which seems to have gone unnoticed, not just by the laity but also by professional economists and political scientists, is this. Even if every country becomes more democratic, the world as a whole is firmly on course to becoming less democratic. This paradoxical process is a consequence of globalization, entailing the increasing ease with which countries can exert influence on the society, economy, and polity of one another. This has never been more transparent than in the wake of the East Asian economic crisis, South Asian nuclear tests, and political and military skirmishes and battles around the world, especially the Middle East. What is noteworthy is that the increase in the power of nations to influence one another has not been symmetric. The well being of Cubans, for instance, depends a lot on what the US president does. The US, because of its enormous international power, can cut off much of Cuba's trade lines, prevent it from exporting goods, and pursue policies which result in inflationary pressures in Cuba-all without having US personnel step beyond the shores of their country. There is, however, very little that Cubans can do to influence the quality of life in the US. Similar asymmetries can be found all around the world: India and Sri Lanka, Japan and Korea.