There is a worrying trend developing as the recession begins to bite around the world.

International corporations, which have spread their production facilities into many countries in order to be nearer the markets which purchase their goods, are now slowly but surely running down production in those countries and are bringing the work back to their country of origin.

The Japanese car manufacturers in England are gradually cutting down on production and putting the workers on short-time, extended holidays and wage cuts which could be the forerunner of closing their sites altogether.

President Sarkozy, of France, is under enormous pressure at home as the French workforce begins to feel the effects of the recession on their jobs and has agreed to support the shutdown of Peugeot factories in other EU countries in order that the French have work at home.

So not only do we have economies faltering and collapsing but we now also have politicians seeking popularity with their electorates by bringing their production facilities back to their own countries.

I fear this trend will continue with deadly effects in many countries as their industrial base shrinks and collapses as protectionism increasingly develops.

The worldwide economic situation needs root and branch reforms to address the present problems to ensure that they never happen again.

I find it amazing that after the regular recessions of the 1990s and into the 21st century, politicians still profess to be powerless to prevent them happening again.

Unless they do so, I fear for the future of social stability worldwide which could lead to authoritarian governments taking hold and all the effects that will have upon the lives of the people.

Tony Probert Locking North Somerset