Globalization and the Poor

By Jay R. Mandle and Mandle, Jay R. Mandle, Jay R.

The argument the author presents is that globalization is associated with the economic growth necessary to alleviate poverty. Globalization therefore should be encouraged. At the same time, governments must adopt policies that address the needs of those who are victimized by the dislocations caused by the process. The book responds to the opponents by emphasizing globalization's potential to alleviate poverty, but at the same time is critical of those who defend globalization without acknowledging the costs it imposes on innocent victims. In addressing the activist opponents of the process, the author maintains that they should not reject the global integration of world markets because of a concern for justice. Instead activists can advance the interests of the world's poor by mounting political movements to advance international agreements to stabilize the world economy and ensure labor rights.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521893526
• ISBN13: 9780521893527
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Two reviews: Globalization and the Poor and The Shock Doctrine

I read Globalization and the Poor and The Shock Doctrine recently within a few days of each other, and was struck by how differently they treat the same issue of trade globalization. Both books are thoroughly researched and well written, and both argue in favor of changing current trade practices so that sweeping economic changes will inflict less harm on the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society. Jay R. Mandle is a professor of economics at Colgate University, author of several books on economic development and economic growth, and a political activist for election reform. Naomi Klein is a journalist first and foremost, a much published author, and a passionate reformer. Their different backgrounds are reflected in the two books: Globalization and the Poor is an academic treatise on globalization, its systems and institutions, whereas The Shock Doctrine is a scorching indictment of those who control its implementation. Globalization and the Poor (G & P). Dr. Mandle presents a detailed and cogent analysis of globalization, and the progress of international trade through the past several decades. While the presentation is detailed and somewhat technical, it provides sufficient tutorial information to be accessible to the layman. With his descriptions of the General Agreement on Tarriffs and Trade (GATT), the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the North American Free Trade Agreeement (NAFTA), and other 20th century systems of trade and international finance, Mandle has provided a fine overview of the fundamentals of world trade in our time. G & P describes the major arguments favoring globalization along with a detailed description of three primary sources of opposition. The forces for globalization are in search of market growth and increased profits through lower costs. Multinational corporations take advantage of advances in computerization, communication technology and information technology to move production, distribution, and, more recently, services to the most cost effective locations in the world. These migrations have been very effective in increasing trade, and have on the whole increased 3rd world exports and elevated the standard of living in many parts of the developing world. Mandle groups opposition to globalization in three categories. First there are those who would have the US act unilaterally to alter global trade practices. This group is not cohesive: many altruists in the "unilateralist" category insist on changes that will limit harm to the poorest populations, while many other "unilateralists" are primarily interested in protecting U.S. jobs. A second opposition group favors "the economics of localism", moving entirely away from globalization and returning to a kinder, gentler world of local economies. The third is the Student Anti-Sweatshop Movement, which "seeks to improve the wages and working conditions present in the third world's apparel industry," by pressuring producers to pay higher wages and provi