|
|
List Price: $16.95 Amazon.com's Price: $11.53 You Save: $5.42 (32%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 337 EAN: 9780393324396 Edition: 1 ISBN: 0393324397 Label: W. W. Norton & Company Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 304 Publication Date: 2003-04 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Studio: W. W. Norton & Company Editorial Review: Amazon.com Review: Due to massive media coverage, many people are familiar with the controversy and organized resistance that globalization has generated around the world, yet explaining what globalization actually means in practice is a complicated task. For those wanting to learn more, this book is an excellent place to start. An experienced economist, Joseph Stiglitz had a brilliant career in academia before serving for four years on President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisors and then three years as chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank. His book clearly explains the functions and powers of the main institutions that govern globalization--the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization--along with the ramifications, both good and bad, of their policies. He strongly believes that globalization can be a positive force around the world, particularly for the poor, but only if the IMF, World Bank, and WTO dramatically alter the way they operate, beginning with increased transparency and a greater willingness to examine their own actions closely. Of his time at the World Bank, he writes, "Decisions were made on the basis of what seemed a curious blend of ideology and bad economics, dogma that sometimes seemed to be thinly veiling special interests.... Open, frank discussion was discouraged--there was no room for it." The book is not entirely critical, however: "Those who vilify globalization too often overlook its benefits," Stiglitz writes, explaining how globalization, along with foreign aid, has improved the living standards of millions around the world. With this clear and balanced book, Stiglitz has contributed significantly to the debate on this important topic. --Shawn Carkonen Product Description: This powerful, unsettling book gives us a rare glimpse behind the closed doors of global financial institutions by the winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics. When it was first published, this national bestseller quickly became a touchstone in the globalization debate. Renowned economist and Nobel Prize winner Joseph E. Stiglitz had a ringside seat for most of the major economic events of the last decade, including stints as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and chief economist at the World Bank. Particularly concerned with the plight of the developing nations, he became increasingly disillusioned as he saw the International Monetary Fund and other major institutions put the interests of Wall Street and the financial community ahead of the poorer nations. Those seeking to understand why globalization has engendered the hostility of protesters in Seattle and Genoa will find the reasons here. While this book includes no simple formula on how to make globalization work, Stiglitz provides a reform agenda that will provoke debate for years to come. Rarely do we get such an insider's analysis of the major institutions of globalization as in this penetrating book. With a new foreword for this paperback edition. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Hits the BullseyeIn 2001 in 'Globalization and It's Discontets' Joseph Stiglitz wrote about unregulated markets and financial institutions running amok in the developing countries with the backing of the IMF. Rather than creating jobs and upping demand in a recession the IMF was intervening to assist financial institutions, often Western financial institutions, make a buck with disastorous results for the people of the developing countries. Another huge point of Stigitz's is that a functioning regulatory environment ... Read More Rating:  - Not a fun read... but incredibly insightful nonthelessI don't doubt that Stiglitz is right. People with a background like that and have won the Nobel Prize usually know what they are talking about. But man this book is frustrating in the first few chapters. I initially categorized it as anti-western propaganda because it is extremely opposed to western policies. However, it is right. The economics of it are sound, the politics also make sense and the details of this are all laid out. You definitely need some economics knowledge to get through it and it makes ... Read More Rating:  - Exhausting.It should have been subtitled: "Or how the IMF screwed everything up, despite Joe's best efforts." It's a tiring tirade. Rating: - an important mainstream critique"Globalization and Its Discontents" is an impressive critique of the Washington Consensus and international economic institutions. Even more so because the author is not only an eminent economist, but also an insider on the issues that are being discussed. Some of the things it covers are the historical context, the East Asian financial crisis, and Russia's transition from central planning to a market economy. Stiglitz demonstrates how a combination of unwillingness to consult, market fundamentalist ideology ... Read More Rating: - Incoherent and generally unenlighteningAnyone with an interest in global affairs would be aware of the East Asian crises and the Russian attempt at becoming a market economy. These are the two main examples used by Stiglitz to frame his arguments and the policies are well known. They are the same problems the anti-globalization movement protests against outside various international financial meetings so there are no new insights here of any great significance. Some of the less prominent countries like Ethiopia and Malaysia are covered though and ... Read More |
