"Liberalisation" is a marginal benefit at best. Does it really matter to me what political regime is in place in another country across the world? Not really.
A much bigger benefit is that globalisation promotes peace through increased inter-dependence. This is the same idea that was used at the very beginning of what is now the EU.
Of course the West also benefited tremendously from cheaper imports and larger markets for exports.
Globalization promotes inter-dependence. That's all.
In a way, it's like chaining yourself to your trading partner. Now, you have to be very careful who you chain yourself to. Is it a stable democracy that shares your values, or is it some authoritarian hellhole with a tyrant and maniac in charge?
A much bigger benefit is that globalisation promotes peace through increased inter-dependence. This is the same idea that was used at the very beginning of what is now the EU.
Of course the West also benefited tremendously from cheaper imports and larger markets for exports.