Globalization Books

Mabel Berezin and Martin Schain's Europe Without Borders: Remapping Territory, Citizenship, And Identity In A Transnational Age gathers leading experts in sociology, political science, psychology, geology and other friends to consider changing identity and societies in Europe since the creation of the European Union in 1992. The range of disciplines will please college-level readers studying modern European events.

I cannot say enough about the obvious thought and scholarship that went into Professor Roy Ginsberg's book on the European Union. He stands alone among scholars (at least those of which I am aware) in recognition of "Barcelona Process", NATO enlargement, EU trade policy, EU enlargement, EU shaping of global rules on environmental policies to the EU economic advantage recognition and expression. Most books, including T. R. Reid's new book on the United States of Europe and Jeremy Rifkin's book on the same subject, have downplayed too much of these necessary considerations before urging that Americans join in a "rah-rah" on spreading EU global hegemony. Ginsberg easily has the best yet expressed professorial grasp of the subject. The book should be required reading for every member of the US Congress, State Department, Security advisers to the President and the President himself. Stuart Eizenstat wrote its commendatory foreword. Read Ginsberg's book! For a modest price, you will receive millions of dollars in information.

CONSTANCE E. CUMBEY
cumbey@yahoo.com

In his book, The European Union, James A. Caporaso addresses three salient issues facing the European Union (EU) with a mixture of both pessimism and optimism, which makes his work truly realistic and powerful. These three issues are social policy, democracy and economics, and EU external relations. Furthermore, he augments these issues by weaving in a unique blend of current international relations theory, economic cost/ benefit analysis, negotiating, and national sovereignty. Additionally, he address complex issues such as the role of the European Parliament, European Court of Justice (ECJ), the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP), and various treaties and agreements in such a way that a novice could understand them- one of his stated goals. Finally, he weaves in the work of other notable authors in such a manner, that their writings are better understood, within the context of the EU, such as David Mitrany and, especially, Andrew Moravcsik.

First, Caporaso's work on EU social policy is truly fascinating. Through the analysis of case studies, he shows that the EU has made some headway in improving social policy, but still has a long way to go. Surprisingly, this headway has been made in the legal arena through the ECJ. Caporaso demonstrates that perhaps of all the EU supra-national institutions, the ECJ has the most authority in impinging on national sovereignty, and having its decisions upheld, even though they are counter to national decisions or consensus. This is truly unique, as this authority is somewhat soft, but EU members respect it out of the fear of being perceived as "illegal," for lack of a better word.

Second, the chapter on democracy and economics is remarkable for its ease of understanding. In this chapter, Caporaso demonstrates that democracy and economics are not necessarily mutually inclusive- in that economic policy and practice are not always necessarily implemented for the benefit of the majority of EU's citizens. Instead, he demonstrates that the EU's economic policies and practices are implemented largely for trade enhancement and thus for the benefit of corporations and/or national special interest. Finally, he proves that the "gap between [economic/democratic] power balance that exists at the national level and the corresponding institutional balance at the European level is wide and shows only modest signs of closing."

Third, in the chapter on EU external relations, Caporaso very eruditely and concisely makes his point about CFSP being largely ineffectual due to qualified majority voting and national sovereignty. He points out that the EU as a whole has the capacity to form a very formidable military machine, but each member nation must concur to provide forces as well as cooperate in fields such as intelligence gathering, military industrial production, and deployment of forces. Therefore, an effective CFSP is a long way off or perhaps not foreseeable without outside prompting from a major crises or another nation such as the United States.

Furthermore, in this chapter, he illuminates the fact that national sovereignty has a large impact on social and democratic efforts at the EU level. He points out that both France and Germany have refused to sign/support agreements and resolutions that would impact negatively on their own external trade with countries, such as China. In doing this, and illuminating the problems with CFSP, he synthesizes most of his arguments in this well written chapter.

Finally, Caporaso's conclusion is exceedingly well written. He recaps all of his major arguments and spins in a minute amount of futurology when discussing "widening" vs. "deepening" of the EU and the accession of new members- especially Turkey. Caporaso's analysis, that the accession of new members, in particular a largely Islamic country such as Turkey, is a long way off, if not impossible, due to perceptions, economic costs, and required new voting criteria that would detract from Germany, France, and Great Britain- the EU's major players.

As with most well researched and written books, Caporaso's work is exceedingly difficult to negatively critique. Instead, it is much easier to articulate what one found interesting. This writer, found his analysis of Germany not supporting widening of the EU of particular note. After all, Germany opened Eastern Europe for trade during the cold war with "Ostpolitik," encouraged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to accept new members, and was the first to recognize the independence of Slovenia and Croatia. His analysis that Germany is against any further new accessions flies in the face of what one would assume to be the converse given the above listed facts. Additionally, his chapter on democracy and economics sheds new light on the age old `adage,' that democracy, capitalism, and social responsibility go `hand-in-hand.'

In short, Caporaso's work is one of the most realistic portrayals of the dilemmas facing the EU. He demonstrates that interdependence, democracy, and economic policy are truly complex issues that both detract from and enhance the EU at the same time. Additionally, if his work was to be taken out of context of the EU, many of his findings and analysis could apply to any large democracy- such as the United States- making his book all that more powerful as it could be used as a model by which to analyze other supra-national institutions and large governments alike. Thus, his work should be required reading not only for students of Europe, but students of world politics as well.

The strength of this report is its very integrative nature. While making an urgent call for a change from the current course of globalization, it is always differentiated and well-balanced in tone, thereby reflecting the fact that it was prepared by extensive regional dialogues in different parts of the world including representatives from different backgrounds.
The report provides well thought-out directives for an improvement of governance at all levels in order to improve the situation of the people and peoples of the world, to overcome the current polarization of wealth distribution and to "provide opportunities for all". Along with Deepak Nayyar's books and the publications of the Global Marshall Plan initiative, the World Commission's report is one of my favourites in contemporary literature on globalization and sustainable development.

I first came across William Pfaff when I picked up a second hand copy of "Power and Impotence: The Failure of America's Foreign Policy". It was written nearly 40 years ago by Pfaff (with Edmund Stillman) and describes the psycho-historical underpinnings of America's interventionist foreign policy with a clarity and prescience that today seems downright spooky (Iraq can be seen as simply the latest in a long line of manifestations of the futility of this policy).

William Pfaff has been writing a column for the International Herald Tribune since the 70's. "Fear, Anger and Failure" is a collection of his IHT columns from September 2001 to December 2003. In it he prophetically chronicles the inevitability of the invasion of Iraq in response to the September 11 attacks. Pfaff cuts through the rhetoric (a "War Against Terror" or a "War Against Evil" can, by definition, never be won) to the core beliefs that drive the misguided attempts to export to the rest of the world what is in fact a uniquely American experience. It is brilliantly written, drily observant and almost always objective (only occasionally does he show disdain for the ignorance behind the US Administration's messianic policies in the Middle East). Pfaff, who writes from Paris, also gives a perspective on the often misunderstood, and misrepresented, European position. His opinions ring true.

Read this book and wonder whether its message will ever be heard, let alone heeded, in Washington.

Professor Graham does an excellent job of sifting fact from fiction on the topic of globalization. Although he admits that globalization has its problems, he demonstrates that many of the arguments advanced by the critics of this historical process are not correct. He points out accurately that globalization is inevitable and humanity would be better served by efforts to correct the problems associated with it, rather than by a futile attempt to derail it. As so many other writers have observed with regard to the capitalist system, it is generally a force for good in the world--as long as we address its failings. To put a stop to it would greatly add to human misery, rather than alleviating it.

I just noticed I have not reviewed this book, which I cite in my article and chapter on "Creating a Smart Nation." This author was introduced to me during one of multiple trips to Europe to examine commercial intelligence there.

He is one of the pioneers in understanding that "national attractiveness" is something that can and should be managed in order to attract and keep foreign and domestic investments. That includes a strong middle class, a strong blue collar population, immigration and health in check, and a stable government--not a one of which the US has today after eight years of grotesque mismanagement by the Bush-Cheney White House.

Below are a few of the leading books that impress me this year:
The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism: How the Financial System Underminded Social Ideals, Damaged Trust in the Markets, Robbed Investors of Trillions - and What to Do About It
The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy
Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming
Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution
Ecological Economics: Principles And Applications
A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Peace, Commerce, and Honest Friendship

Academic objectivity is a great excuse to avoid taking sides. PB presents a clear challenge to that excuse with this argument. Compare this with the argument from "Empire" and "Multitudes" (Hardt and Negri). A critique of their hypothesis runs along PB's approach and it does not seem to resolve in my mind. Both are difficult and rather abstract. I would normally retreat to narrative analysis and seek escape and avoid taking sides! PB presents the inescapable dilemma. This calls for a rereading of "Pascalian Meditations".

Short but very thought provoking as always.

Justin Rosenberg's The Follies Of Globalization Theory is an intelligent and fiesty criticism of modern globalization theory. Author Rosenberg, who won the 1994 Isaac Deutscher Memorial Prize with his previous work, The Empire of Civil Society, and again spares neither wit nor word in his harsh evaluation of the stagnation of the globalization paradox. Rosenberg's contention is that the more erudite globalization theorists try to be in presenting their arguments, the more amorphous those arguments become. Written to be entertaining as well as erudite, The Follies Of Globalization Theory offers deep thought and scathing warnings about an issue that literally circumscribes the world.

"An important and original work both in terms of focus and theoretical framework and particularly in terms of the case studies chosen to establish a relevant testing empirical domain. It is a fine piece of research that has depth as well as breadth. In short, this is a serious and timely piece of scholarship."
--Brian White, Professor of International Relations, University of Warwick

"A richly informed account of the possibilities and pitfalls facing foreign policy making in the contemporary era."
--Dr. Chris Alden, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, LSE


Author's additional note: This book will interest anyone who is inquisitive about how foreign policy can be conducted in the Information Age. It will also be valuable for insights into non-western foreign policy conduct in the era of globalization. Case studies include Chile and Singapore, with a short closing reflection on the Iraq insurgency.