Ghost towns of globalisation haunting central bankers

New York, Wyoming

AFTER a turbulent year of anti-globalisation backlash, central bankers still argue that open borders and free trade are the key to more jobs, growth and prosperity.

But when they meet for the US Federal Reserve's annual research conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this week, it will be with the growing recognition that the world economic order they helped create could unravel unless the benefits of globalisation can reach those left behind.

That means addressing the concerns of people like Grace Paige, a grandmother of seven from the struggling St Lawrence County in northern New York state.

When Donald Trump promised to revive "middle America" by rolling back decades of globalisation, Ms Paige decided to give him a chance. The otherwise dependable Democratic voter sat out the election, contributing to the county's swing from a 57 per cent major…