People Before Profit: The New Globalization in an Age of Terror, Big Money, and Economic Crisis

by Charles Derber

Book Overview

Has globalization failed us? The promises of economic stability, increased prosperity, and cultural cooperation seem more like a pipe dream than ever before. But rather than stop globalization,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312306709
• ISBN13: 9780312306700
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A true Gem

If you have time for only one book on globalization this is the one to pick. I heard Charles Derber on a radio program and was surprised at the volume of calls he generated discussing his book "People Before Profit". Political skeptic that I am, I had some doubts about buying the book but my piqued curiosity took over. Two hundred pages later my conversion was almost complete."People Before Profit" takes us inside the globalization phenomenon and shows that it is not as "win-win" as portrayed by its advocates. Most of us are likely to find ourselves among losers-in more ways that you might think. Deeply moving stories of those who already lost in this brave new globalized world confer a distinction on this work that is lacking in other accounts. Nor is globalization as spontaneous and self-propelling as it is billed. Derber shows how globalization's realities grow out of policies, rules, and laws that are devised by a small group of "experts" to promote explicit corporate interests. The chapter on WTO is especially revealing. Another myth is the unique and modern nature of globalization, and the chapter on its history and its "ghosts" debunks that myth in a most elegant and entertaining way.But Derber's mission is not just to forewarn us of the dangerous trends inherent in the current perverse form of globalization but also draft an inspiring program that could turn things around. The last chapter is a wake-up call for all of us. The book is a real gem-the best gift you can give to friends and family.

A fresh view on Globalization

With many books recently written on the topic of globalization it is encouraging to find one that brings out new significant aspects. PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT does this in a way that places it in the top range of my recommended books. In addition to providing a wealth of important reflections and very useful facts, Derber covers the complex topics surrounding globalization in a clear and very accessible style. By placing himself inside the circumstances and arguments he addresses his readers directly, fostering ongoing reflection and dialogue. Derber examines the various uses and misuses of the term "globalization" that "globalizers" and "anti-globalizers" are claiming for their own ends. He cuts through the ideologies and myths by probing the concept within its historical context - reminding us that globalization and its driving force, "empire building", have been around for thousands of years. All ancient globalization systems were based on the exploitative relationship between a "core" and the "periphery". The net wealth flowed from the periphery (natural resources, cheap labour) to the core (skilled labour, technology) resulting in an ever-increasing gap between the rich core and the poor periphery. Derber compares such uneven co-dependent power relationships to a dysfunctional marriage where the powerful partner can leave or bullies the other into submission. The win-win myth of globalization is in fact a "race to the bottom" where the corporations alone have the "exit power". He emphasizes parallels between early US history and the ambitions of recent US administrations. While confined in those days to one country, the concept of globalization can be applied to the American "Robber Barons" then just as much as to the US power brokers of big corporations today. Derber contends their desire to expand economic power and political influence is dependent on the ever-increasing gap between rich and poor. "Free trade" is a misnomer in the context of unequal power relationships between the rich North and the developing countries of the South. In Derber's comparison today's billions of poor in Southern countries have taken the place of the exploited impoverished workforce during the "Gilded Age", underpinning his arguments with many pertinent examples. Yet, his main objective is to motivate all participants in the "globalization game" to learn important lessons from the past. His fundamental precept is that we must "reinvent globalization to create a safe, democratic and economically secure world". He challenges the narrow economic perspective of corporate leaders, arguing that globalization without democratization will fail sooner rather than later. Insisting that the political, social and cultural aspects of a globalized world have to be given equal prominence, he dissects the world economic and trading systems, such as the WTO, IMF and the World Bank. He emphasizes the importance of the "positive rights" of the UN system (right to food, shel

Great

This book was awesome. I read it as an assignment for a class in the midst of writing my undergraduate thesis, and it ended up shaping the entire direction of the paper. Derber offers an explanation of problems many have already recognized but seemed to be unsolvable. He specifically addresses the feeling that these problems are vague and just sort of "the way things are," and after reading this book, it is evident where specifically the problem is and what can be done. He also makes an effort to explain his points in terms anyone could understand, whether they have a background in sociology or not.

People Before Profit

Charles Derber's message is one we should all take to heart. He doesn't demonize globalization but thinks that its shortcomings can be redirected in a more positive manner. Unregulated capitalism may create wealth but at the expense of our environment and the rights of workers everywhere. He points out that the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO are dominated by the United States for the most part and are not democratic in nature. Most of their proceedings are in secret and do not take into account the input of the Third World and the billions of poor in the world. When people don't have an opportunity to express their ideas, this creates great frustration and hopelessness which makes them open to recruitment from terrorist organizations and violent movements. It is in the best interest of us all to foster an open society with opportunities for all to participate.