I’ve just finished reading this book and I am pleased to have an opportunity to tell others about it. There are many books out there that will tell you all the bad things about globalisation. There are also books that will give you a more balanced view, illustrating both the good and the bad things about globalisation. However, there are few books that give alternatives to globalisation. Proponents of globalisation will tell you that globalisation is inevitable and that there will be casualties. What one learns from reading this book is that while globalisation is inevitable to some degree, and in fact beneficial to many, the way that it is implemented will determine the number of casualties.
The main problem with globalisation in its current format is that it makes the rich richer and the poor poorer (see my review on Confessions of an Economic Hitman). Anybody that tries to tell you otherwise has absolutely no idea what they are talking about or they are trying to trick you, either way, don’t trust them. Alternatives to Economic Globalization is a compilation of contributions by over 20 members of the International Forum on Globalization. Each contributer is a specialist in their field. Having diverse input is important because the topic of globalisation is so broad.
The book spends some time looking at the problems with the current system of globalisation and then uses that foundation as a reference point for the alternatives it proposes. The alternatives are not weird and wacky, they just prioritise issues which are currently not addressed.
Reading this book leaves one with a sense of hope. Not only because of the realisation that there are alternatives but because many of these proposals are already being used in various parts of the world. This book is not an end in itself, but it is one of many means to an end and that end is a world where people are not starving and dying of disease and being taken advantage of. As the book says, a better world is possible.
It’s not the easiest read, it’s like a text book although it’s not very complicated. But the information is so interesting that reading it is not a chore. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
You can get it from Kalahari.net