Call number
337 S
Collection
Genres
Publication
W. W. Norton & Company (2003), Edition: 1, 304 pages
Description
Most analyses of globalization convey the message that it is an unstoppable force sweeping away national sovereignty and inevitably creating a brave new world of borderless and boundless consumerism. In such a context politics and democracy become irrelevant. This collection of essays develops a more critical and grounded analysis of the nature and implications of globalization. Many of the contributions to this book conclude that there are real political choices to be made. Even though the economic context has changed, politics still matters.
Subjects
Media reviews
Globalization and its Discontents is a concise, devastating, and relentless indictment of the global economic policies of the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and World Bank. Stiglitz singles out the IMF for most of the blame: flawed economic theories, lack of transparency and
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accountability to the public, and the pursuit of special corporate interests.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member cwhouston
Unlike much of the 'anti-capitalist hysteria' surrounding the issue of globalisation, this book has been written by someone who DOES know what he is talking about and as a result, is not anti-capitalist. Perhaps surprisingly, his economic insight is also matched with an easy to follow and highly
The author levels much constructive criticism at the IMF and WTO for the way in which they have treated the developing world over the last ten years but never suggests that globalisation per se is a bad idea. What I particularly appreciated was the effort taken by Stiglitz to present clear and reasoned argument to back up his points of view. I would have liked to see a little more detail on the history of the foundation of the IMF,WTO and World Bank but this is only a very minor gripe.
When I borrowed this book from my wife, I had expected, largely due to the title and cover art, that it would be just another incoherent and inflammatory bag of anti-everything nonsense. Fortunately, this is not at all the case. Excellent.
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readable style.The author levels much constructive criticism at the IMF and WTO for the way in which they have treated the developing world over the last ten years but never suggests that globalisation per se is a bad idea. What I particularly appreciated was the effort taken by Stiglitz to present clear and reasoned argument to back up his points of view. I would have liked to see a little more detail on the history of the foundation of the IMF,WTO and World Bank but this is only a very minor gripe.
When I borrowed this book from my wife, I had expected, largely due to the title and cover art, that it would be just another incoherent and inflammatory bag of anti-everything nonsense. Fortunately, this is not at all the case. Excellent.
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LibraryThing member vixen666
This book is important. Every member of all western governments should be required to summarise its arguments before they can take office.
LibraryThing member swadeson
Not too bad. Provides a good insight into how stupid (or perhaps uncaring) the rich and powerful can be. Certainly exposes all the bullshit going on in Washington.
LibraryThing member grheault
The IMF is the bad boy in this book, and the World Bank has lost its way. Stiglitz's criticism is that the IMF applies economic theory from on high failing to consider underlying assumptionS. Thus, presuming funcitoning markets, government infrastructure, they fail miserably in helping developing
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nations that have may have none of what is assumed. The IMF thus wields a big stick blindly, formulaically with little knowledge of how it translates in particular countries. Show Less
LibraryThing member jftouma
Well written, informative, remained interesting until the very end.
Written more as a critique of the IMF as a stubborn and pedantic organization that is not flexible enough to adapt policies to local situations. Doesn't dive too deep into remedies for the challenges like the IMF faces, as I think
Written more as a critique of the IMF as a stubborn and pedantic organization that is not flexible enough to adapt policies to local situations. Doesn't dive too deep into remedies for the challenges like the IMF faces, as I think
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Stiglitz plans it for a separate standalone book. Show Less
LibraryThing member rajaratnam
An independent thinker in global economic policies. Highlights how IMF damages the economies of emerging nations through its nostrums. The latter reflect the stances of US Treasury. It all seems part of program of global control.
LibraryThing member Saltvand
Fairly subjective and self-righteous, but does make valid points.
LibraryThing member aleph123
I heard about this book and read excerpts (including conferences and articles from the author)- but had not read it until now
some of his remarks on the issues related to global governance and lack of democratic accountability still ring true today...
...also if you do not concur with each one of the
some of his remarks on the issues related to global governance and lack of democratic accountability still ring true today...
...also if you do not concur with each one of the
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author's statements ;) Show Less
LibraryThing member CaroPi
Is an excellent book. It shows you under a clear perspective the impact of Globalization in the countries that are not prepare to be globalize. It shows how the regulations that may work for some countries do not apply to the others,these regulations are not based in the real situation of the
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country, in their market conditions, they suffer, their people suffer and in order to have the money they need they need to adapt and accept conditions that in the long term instead of improving their quality of life it decreases it. I highly recommend this book to all the people that will like to know about the real impact of the Transnational organizations such as the Monetary Found in the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
I have long wanted to understand how the World Bank and the IMF work. This book gives an excellent description from an ex-Chief Economist at the World Bank. Joseph Stiglitz cannot be dismissed as some wild left-wing trouble maker and, although he has been accused of using the book as a settling
After a potted history of these entities, the book concentrates upon interventions which were made during the period that the author was involved. It clearly shows that the financial assistance given to the smaller countries by the IMF came with strings which hampered, rather than assisted their path to Capitalist heaven. Mr Stiglitz still believes in Globalisation and, when the evidence against the banking system becomes incontrovertible, he suggests methods to correct these structures. This, to me, is the weakest part of the book: he seems to believe that, at government level, there is a real desire to bring countries into the bosom of healthy capitalism and he appears unwilling to consider that, whilst throwing crumbs to struggling economies, a pool of desperate labour, willing to work for a pittance, and often in unsafe conditions, is pure gold to today's TNC's, who have government in a strangle hold.
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scores, there is not to be found in the text. The book gives an over-view of the system and is written in a style that is readily comprehensible by someone with little or no understanding of fiscal matters (ME!)After a potted history of these entities, the book concentrates upon interventions which were made during the period that the author was involved. It clearly shows that the financial assistance given to the smaller countries by the IMF came with strings which hampered, rather than assisted their path to Capitalist heaven. Mr Stiglitz still believes in Globalisation and, when the evidence against the banking system becomes incontrovertible, he suggests methods to correct these structures. This, to me, is the weakest part of the book: he seems to believe that, at government level, there is a real desire to bring countries into the bosom of healthy capitalism and he appears unwilling to consider that, whilst throwing crumbs to struggling economies, a pool of desperate labour, willing to work for a pittance, and often in unsafe conditions, is pure gold to today's TNC's, who have government in a strangle hold.
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LibraryThing member Acia
This book is necessary and important for its critical insight of powerful institutions, governments and players. Having lived in Latin America for many years, I've experienced first hand the consequences of disastrous policies.
Awards
Pages
304
ISBN
0393324397 / 9780393324396