Why Brexit happened -- and what to do next | Alexander Betts

We are embarrassingly unaware of how divided our societies are, and Brexit grew out of a deep, unexamined divide between those that fear globalization and those that embrace it, says social scientist Alexander Betts. How do we now address that fear as well as growing disillusionment with the political establishment, while refusing to give in to xenophobia and nationalism? Join Betts as he discusses four post-Brexit steps toward a more inclusive world.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[Zoharargov]

He lost me at: "Those who embrace globalization, and those who fear it".

[clif_plays]

My god this comment section is atrocious.

[viviathan]

"I am British"
some guy in the back: "sorry!"

[pandabear]

The real reason Brexit happened is simple. People do not fear globalization. They just don't want to give up the principle of self-determination. They do not want others to determine how they must live their life. In other words, globalization is "one size fits all" mentality. But we know from life experience that one size fits none!

[arctic.winter]

when did TED turn into a political propaganda outlet?

[nick]

A social scientist who didn't see Brexit coming-yes let's accept his political opinion.

[tshawtshi]

"You patronizing stuck up snub"

[Drezst]

How is there roughly 40% more thumbs up but about 90% of comments aren't in favour of this video?

[tiavor]

You call it xenophobia, I call this unwillingness to integrate into a society. if the immigration-rate is too high, larger groups of immigrants live together and form groups that just bond with similar people thus they don't integrate. integration and therefore assimilation of immigrants is necessary for a society to function.

[stephenhorton]

I'm not sure how saying you've only spent four days in your life in leave areas can reassure people that you understand what's going on socially and politically in those areas. Surely the best thing for you to do would be to spend time in those areas talking to people to find out their actual thoughts and why they voted that way instead of making assumptions based on the demographics they fall into. I'm an educated centre-left young guy who grew up with the internet and I live in Edinburgh working as a developer within the financial sector and I voted to leave - do you have any idea why? Or am I just an anomaly not worthy studying, even if it could broaden your insight?

[ilmostro]

What needs to be clearly measured and explained and convincing is when they say Globalization “benefits all”, they have to define how that works. Does it “benefit all” by raising everyone’s current quality of life, or by leveling everyone to the same level (lowering some and raising other)? That’s an important difference if you want to understand why people vote the way they do.

[Trajanify]

Such confidence in his position. No potential that other peoples opinions might be correct. That is how to polarize.

[MikeRox]

As an evil racist old Leave Voter (30's with immigrant wife) who lives in a "multicultural" area, I actually think Alex hits quite a lot of key points. However, my choice to vote leave, was actually a principal regarding sovereignty and democracy. Immigration had absolutely nothing to do with my vote. However he does seem to come from a stance of "in my bubble, this is great, we need to convince people outside my bubble that it is great".

I am yet to find a single compelling argument that the EU is more democratic than the UK or that it doesn't take away power from the institution I can vote for.

I've heard a lot of "spin" twisting the EU to sound more democratic. But "layman" terms always suggest otherwise.

[jonathanwetherell]

The problem is that we are NOT one nation, there is London and the home counties and the rest of UK. London is wealthy, has the centre of government and receives a higher rate of infrastructure investment. Away from this area we feel left out and we ARE.

[Robscottmellor]

"And I have "still never spent more than 4 days of my life in the north of England. He states that we in these leave areas don't have many immigrants, like London does. You need to visit Stoke on trent, Yorkshire, Bradford Leeds etc etc.... just incorrect, on many levels

[DivingDonut]

Classic Virtue Signaling. "We want to include you, but you are stupid and your views are idiotic so please feel included and do as I say!"

[MrTickleTrunk]

If you want to know why Brexit happened you should simply ask those people who voted to leave why they did so. I've talked to many myself and it wasn't fear of globalization - it was fear of the loss of democracy by an overreaching of a non representative body. Someone they didn't vote for was talking about building an EU Army, etc.

People I talked to were simply afraid of power grabs by those the people are not directly able to elect in to or out of office.

[stevemackenzie]

The Society is divided because of a lack of respect by the losers of a legitimate democratic vote

[feonaboock]

You speak of fear as if it's only a bad thing, and I agree that a paranoid type of fear is debilitating and a cause for concern. However, perhaps more research would have been helpful - normal or healthy fear can also help people avoid critical danger, to themselves and others. As a mother, I'm constantly having to gauge whether certain situations, places, animals, even people are safe for my children to be around. My children would not have survived to date unless I sometimes made choices based on the fear of potential harm to them. Fear makes us wiser in our choices, especially when it comes to what is unfamiliar, because it gives us cause to pause and consider the potential results, or consequences. Fear of failure or loss also increases adrenaline output so as to heighten our senses and ensure optimal performance in any competitive situation. I believe therefore that there are valid and important reasons why people fear globalisation. Those fears should be welcomed, and serve as a loud and clear warning to humanity to proceed with caution when faced with globalisation. I'm very reluctant to trust anyone attempting to undermine or cancel healthy fear. It's played a key role in the survival of humanity to this point and should be allowed to continue doing so going forward.

[Wanderer]

Why so biased, for once be impartial and acknowledge brexit and the reasons for it are actually valid and that hey it's not actually a disaster, because you make it sound like a disaster.