Facts checked 29 September 2026 for the CAT 2026 cycle
WAT Topic: "Is the era of globalization over?" - economic category, hard difficulty. Consider 2 perspectives for a balanced essay.
Reference the US Supreme Court's ruling of 20 February 2026 against IEEPA tariffs and the tariff laws the US turned to afterwards, and set it against the WTO's finding that goods trade is still growing. State: globalizing differently, not deglobalizing.
Para 1: Evidence of deglobalization (tariffs, reshoring, falling share of trade on most-favoured-nation terms)
Para 2: Evidence globalization continues (trade volumes, digital, services, investment)
Para 3: New model: regionalized, friend-shored globalization
Hyper-globalization is over. Managed, regionalized globalization is emerging.
World merchandise trade volume grew 3.2% year on year in Q1 2026; the WTO's March 2026 forecast for 2026 is 1.9%, or 1.4% if energy prices stay high
The share of world trade on most-favoured-nation terms fell from about 80% in 2022 to about 72% (WTO, March 2026)
China's merchandise exports reached USD 3.77 trillion in 2025, while its exports to the US fell about 20% (WTO)
The US Supreme Court struck down IEEPA-based tariffs on 20 February 2026, and the US introduced Section 122 tariffs on 24 February (WTO)
Treating globalization as monolithic
Not distinguishing goods from services trade
Ignoring regional integration (RCEP, AfCFTA)
Show nuance: hyper-globalization is ending, not all globalization. Use dated WTO figures rather than older numbers.
Rhetoric (4th Century BC)
Insight: Persuasion requires ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) working together.
How to apply: Structure your WAT with logical arguments (logos), establish credibility through data/examples (ethos), and connect to human impact (pathos). IIM evaluators look for all three.
Made to Stick (2007)
Insight: Ideas that stick are Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and tell Stories (SUCCESs).
How to apply: Open with an unexpected fact or angle. Use concrete examples, not abstractions. Ground arguments in credible data. Make it memorable.
The Sense of Style (2014)
Insight: Good writing is about showing the reader something in the world, not performing your knowledge.
How to apply: Don't write to impress—write to illuminate. Avoid jargon and pompous language. Show you understand the issue, don't just list points.
Politics and the English Language (1946)
Insight: Clear thinking leads to clear writing. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
How to apply: Prefer active voice. Cut unnecessary words. If you can cut a word, cut it. Clarity beats complexity in 200-word essays.
Values original thinking and nuanced positions over conventional wisdom.
Tip: IIMA loves contrarian but well-reasoned takes. Don't be afraid to challenge the premise of the topic itself.
Practical, business-oriented evaluation. Values structured thinking.
Tip: IIMB appreciates when you connect topics to business/management implications. Always include "so what" for managers.
Rigorous analytical approach. Values data and economic reasoning.
Tip: IIMC loves numbers. Include at least one relevant statistic. Show you understand economic trade-offs.
Balanced evaluation of content and expression.
Tip: IIML values clear structure. Use explicit transitions and signposting.
Ethics-focused, values human-centric perspectives.
Tip: XLRI's Jesuit heritage means they value ethical dimensions. Always consider the human/social impact angle.
There's no "right" stance. What matters is taking a clear position and defending it well. Show nuance: hyper-globalization is ending, not all globalization. Use dated WTO figures rather than older numbers.
Nobody outside the institute can say. IIMs set the essay topic on the day. This topic is tied to an issue that was current in September 2026, and the statistics on this page carry their source and date, so use it for practice.
Reference the US Supreme Court's ruling of 20 February 2026 against IEEPA tariffs and the tariff laws the US turned to afterwards, and set it against the WTO's finding that goods trade is still growing. State: globalizing differently, not deglobalizing. Your body should cover: Para 1: Evidence of deglobalization (tariffs, reshoring, falling share of trade on most-favoured-nation terms); Para 2: Evidence globalization continues (trade volumes, digital, services, investment); Para 3: New model: regionalized, friend-shored globalization.
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