An FT/Harris poll, published yesterday, provides evidence that citizens of rich countries feel that globalisation is more of a curse than a blessing. Sadly, this is no great surprise. Unease about the effects of globalisation has been building for a number of years. The challenge for politicians - should they choose to accept it - is to find the right response to these fears. Where they are justified, the right policies must be sold to a sceptical public. Where the fears are baseless, politicians must find convincing rebuttals.

The number of Britons, French and Spaniards who believe that globalisation is having a negative effect outweighs those with a more positive outlook by three to one. Opposition to globalisation is almost as strong in Italy and the US. The poll also shows that citizens believe corporate bosses are unadmirable, overpaid, undertaxed, and (except in the US) should be subject to a government pay cap.