Globalization Books

This is a timely book on the issues related globalization of higher education. The questions that the authors of the book address include: Will capitalism ultimately force structural changes in the conception of the university? How should teaching be done in the light of new instruction technologies? What is the goal of higher education? Employment skills, or transforming the student? Should the university support the socio-political structures, or question them? And, so on.

Alison Brysk is an Associate Professor at the University of California-Irvine. Eleven of Ms. Brysk's colleagues from academia have contributed outstanding original research to this book. Most of the authors are specialists in political science, women's studies, international law and related fields. The focus is on how human rights may become more or less secure as a result of globalization. The end result is a scholarly analysis of the contradictions of globalization that no doubt will give thoughtful readers much to consider.

The book is well-structured. Ms. Brysk contributes introductory and concluding essays that provides excellent context and analysis. In between, the main content is divided into four sections containing three articles each (except for the first section on "Citizenship" which has only two articles). There is also a forty-page bibliography for those who want to access the reference material.

I found the first section on "Citizenship" to be one of the best in the book. Kristen Hill Maher argues in the first essay that the demand for cheap labor in the U.S. and Europe fosters a kind of "neocolonialism" that has negative implications for the rights of "illegal" workers, their families, and society. The second article by Amalia Lucia Cabezas addresses the topic of sex tourism in the Dominican Republic. The essay descends from a high-level perspective of corporate domination of trade, economics and the tourist industry down to the realities of the exploited male and female workers who often turn to sex to augment their meager incomes. Interestingly, Ms. Cabezas shows how resourcefulness has enabled these workers to become empowered in the face of long-standing cultural prejudices and gaining respect and upward mobility for a few.

The second section on the topic of "Commodification" discusses global markets. The failures of "globalization from above" are criticized by Richard Falk, who contends that a more humane form of capitalism that benefits people can only come about by harnessing democratic forces to create a "globalization from below." One of the many discoveries from Wesley T. Milner's statistical study is that increased economic freedom leads to an increase in inequality and hence has a negative effect on "subsistence rights" for people in poor countries. And Raul C. Pangalangan believes that international labor standards are needed to combat the sweatshop conditions that are conspicuous in nations that are managed by corrupt rulers who have effectively sold-out for private gain.

The third section addresses "Communication". Shane Weyker discusses how the Internet and other forms of electronic communications have aided some struggles (such as the Zapatistas in southern Mexico) but is also frequently used by the powerful for the purposes of surveillance and disinformation. Clifford Bob studies the dynamics that might cause some groups to receive favorable coverage (such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni tribe's conflict with Shell Corporation in Nigeria) and others to go almost unnoticed. James N. Rosenau's article is a highly specialized piece of research that assesses the impact of globalization on security rights, economic rights, cultural rights and political rights.

The fourth section is on the subject of "Cooperation." Jonathan Fox's study of the World Bank's Inspection Panel discusses the panel's mixed record of success but nevertheless argues that its existence is testimony to the power of people to effect institutional change. Wayne Sandholtz shows that cross-border military interventions continue to be justified on "security" concerns (not humanitarian), although there is hope that international law might soon recognize humanitarianism as a just cause. Jack Donnelly's "Human Rights, Globalizing Flows, and State Power" was especially appealing. Mr. Donnelly takes the almost unfashionable position of reasserting the value of the nation-state. The current trend of allowing multinational corporations to undermine the social fabric is effectively impoverishing the workers and polarizing class relations. While recognizing past abuses of state power, the author argues that only the state has the means to redistribute wealth in a manner that ensures human rights and the long-term viability of the society.

In short, this book should intrigue graduate students, professionals and others who have a keen interest in human rights. It is full of nuanced discussions written by some of the leading subject matter experts and will challenge and stimulate demanding readers. I congratulate Ms. Brysk on her project and highly recommend this book.

This book clearly presents empirical data analysis of globaization at industry level to show continued trend and the formation of major economic blocs. In part II, the book shows policy cases with strong theoretical reviews on cluster, research networks and digital infra structure. Finally the book discusses on the role of public sector at the end. Compared to other books, this book finds a good balance of analysis and policy discussions.

Globalization and Inequality is a brilliant, well-written, and comprehensive overview of neoliberalism's ubiquity and influence. Using theoretical concepts borrowed from international relations theory and political science, Rapley presents a clear and concise thesis which argues that the growing inequality manifest both within and between countries is a direct result of the hegemonic neoliberalist `regime'. Taking a broader view than geography, sociology, or economics, Rapley convincingly demonstrates the revolutionary nature of contemporary global relations, and suggests that alternative regimes of accumulation and, particularly, distribution are needed before the inequalities of globalization can be resolved. A `must read' for anyone interested in current trends in globalization and development.

I have liked Daniel Cohen's work since 1996 when I first read his paper "Tests of the `convergence hypothesis': some further results" published in the Journal of Economic Growth (September). So, I came to the current book with a positive preconception - and I am glad to say I was not disappointed.

The provocative title of the book is misleading to the extent it conveys a black and white message: globalization on one side; its enemies on the other. Not so. The central point is an argument against the false notion that the wealth and income disparities between the West and the Third World resulted from either religious differences or exploiter-exploited relationships between the two regions. The book points out that what some have interpreted as the result of evildoing on the part of the West are simply impacts of unintended consequences of technology. The book uses an example from Algeria where a technology like DDT intended for mosquito eradication and therefore malaria and typhoid elimination had the indirect effect of allowing a population growth which needed more food, which needed more land and other resources to grow the food, and in the end resulted in inequalities and reduced happiness. The example makes clear that the consequences of globalization "transcend the simple categories of Good and Evil" (pp. 2-3).

Globalization is not a monolithic and one-time phenomenon; instead it is a sequential and systematic Westernization of the globe that began with the "discovery" of America in the 15th century, was expanded by the English merchants in the 18th century, and has picked up pace to-date. During its early phases globalization brought to non-Western regions both cures (e.g., medicine) and infections (e.g. smallpox), but it is not so clear that all that was intentional. What is clear is that globalization dashed expectations in that many ended up disappointed that after voluntarily abandoning their cultures for Western civilization, they soon discovered, for example, that "far from delivering the free entry and transparency dreamed of by economists, the socalled information society creates its own barriers, replacing those that technology breaks down. [Thus], the enemies of globalization are arrayed in two opposed camps. One camp ... is that of the Mullahs who denounce the Westernization of the world. The other camp is that of [those] who fight the exploitation of workers by capital." (p. 5). However, the two arrays are simplifications because "to understand the current act of globalization within the confines of religion or exploitation is to miss globalization's singularity" (p. 6). The [] added.

Following Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel, among others, Chapter 1 debunks explanations of world disparities in terms of pre-destinies such as genetics and geographies. I detect some hedging here, but the book finally settles on the importance of "initial conditions". For example, countries with large amounts of land can accommodate many people who invent more products and services, which makes endogenous growth both possible and sustainable.

Chapter 2 and 3 sketch the phases of globalization and conclude that globalization has become increasingly "immobile". It is no longer just a function of the international division of labor. The international division of labor can lead to unequal terms of trade in which, technically speaking, the Northern working class exploits the Southern class but blame ends up on the feet of international capital. The current globalization act has additional aspects like global equality of tastes and preferences along with disappearing distance and corresponding costs. Hence, winners in this phase are those at or closest to the center of the economic activity in terms of both production and consumption.

How did the observed differences arise? The answer is not clear here. It is clear, however, that it is not because of the "clash of civilizations". The clash of civilization is a myth based on the fact that there has always been active cross-fertilization and learning among world cultures. Civilizations that crashed are those that closed themselves off from others and withdrew into self-imposed isolation in either proud contentment or loathing of foreigners. China is one good example that appears now to have learned its lesson. Another example is the "indigenous growth" model that African and Latin American countries adopted upon their independence. The new republics invested heavily in "white elephants" for which the rate of returns remain negative. I like the distinction Cohen makes between "indigenous growth" and "endogenous growth". The latter is driven by economic "levers" such as human capital, physical capital, "global efficiency", and international trade. The emphasis is appropriate because, in praising the strengths of the Japanese model many seem to ignore that endogenous aspects have dominated Japan's indigenous growth.

What are the sources of the enmity toward globalization? There are many and Chapters 6 and 7 outline two. One source is that some (mostly Eroupean countries) equate globalization with empire building - American empire (Chapter 6). In some way their perspective has basis in history; after all Portugal, Spain, and England have been there and done all that. Their lesson was that empires are doomed and their longevity finite. A second and final source of enmity toward is that the benefits of globalization are tilted towards the North, while the South is under pressure from AIDS and Debt (Chapter 7). These two sources illustrate that " the problem of globalization up to now is it has altered people's expectations more than it has increased their ability to act" (p. 166). Without the ability to meet expectations, " for the majority of the poor inhabitants of our planet, globalization remains an inaccessible idea" (p. 166), and "the world will never be `just' as long as people do not have the conviction that they all contribute to discovering and molding a shared destiny" (` p169). Great job!

H. V. Amavilah, Author
Modeling Income Determinants in Embedded Economies : Cross-section Applications to US Native American Economies
ISBN: 1600210465

This is one of the finest books on the impact of globalization on industrial relations (IR) in general and in India in particular. It has been written as well as produced very professionally by an author whose understanding and treatment of the subject is outstanding and masterly. The book discusses a wide range of issues in contemporary IR. The book has an inter-disciplinary orientation and examines the impact of changes in economy, polity and society on contemporary IR. I consider this book as one the prized possessions in my personal library. I would like to recommend it to all scholars, academics,students and practitioners of human resource management and IR, who wish go into the why of the contemporary IR and HRM reality.

Cynthia Enloe is one of the best feminist international relations scholars in North America. Once again she has written a much needed timely volume. Enloe's writing is engaging and never filled with too much academese, so that the lay audience and academics alike can enjoy her books.

This book deals with the connections between globalization and militarism. Each chapter sheds light on this insipid connection. The chapter I enjoyed most dealt with the consumer fascination of camo. Do you wear camo? How have we normalized camouflage and militarism by wearing camo pants to work/school? Is this "normal"?

Enloe asks the reader to be curious and ask questions. I have found that the lower division women's studies students really dig her work and this book has been no exception. I've also used excerpts of this book in one of my Political Science courses, and again, the students enjoyed the reading.

I feel that while it's a bit pricey for a small resource, that it's well worth it. In particular, this report went into a good summary regarding security issues related to globalization and the expansion of technology.

I would rate this lower, except for the fact that each source used is cited at the bottom of each relevant page, thereby allowing the reader a means to get more information if they deem it necessary.

All in all, I would recommend this source for someone who needs a quick primer on Globalization and National Security (as the title says).

An incisive analysis of globalization and its effects. Do you want to understand why the social safety net in the US is being systematically shredded? Do you want to know why the two major parties in the US have nearly indistinguishable economic policies? Do you want to understand the significance of NAFTA and the FTAA? Of the protests in Seattle and Quebec City? Read this book.

The Capitalism Project at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity recently brought together this book of papers by a group of noted academics, religious leaders and business people to discuss the contexts and challenges present in the modern phenomenon of Globalisation. Arising out of several different conference occasions, the topic was covered in settings that brought together diverse groups of interested thinkers and actors. According to the editor Peter Heslam, globalisation is a current buzzword in many fields religious and secular, but what exactly is meant by this? Economists, sociologists, politicians and political scientists, academics, corporate and business leaders - all these groups use the term and have some basic defining principles, but is this enough for understanding?

There are contradictory trends in globalisation, which make definitive statements all the more difficult. The book, divided into three main sections, makes an attempt to give defining markers, some of which are positive and others negative, of globalism on the world stage. The first section looks at the broad trends, including perspectives from corporate and financial centres on a multinational level, discussing the increasing power of this sector over against more traditional political power definitions and divisions. Globalisation is sometimes seen as a great boon to prosperity, but particularly in the lesser developed world, as Clive Mather points out, globalisation is sometimes seen as an enemy, a variation of older historical patterns of imperialism.

The second section looks at critical analysis and alternatives in the broad area of globalisation. Sometimes multinational business developments sound distinctively theological, as they look for the `right relationships' and the `spirit' of the venture, increasingly including elements that do not make direct, short-term impact on financial statement bottom lines. The authors in this section look specifically at images and metaphors that are biblical or derivative of Christian historical tradition and practice.

The final section explores areas of change. This involves a great deal of insight and skill, as well as openness for negotiation - Michael Taylor highlights the dualistic position of globalisation as potential saviour and great satan, but hold common beliefs in the abhorrence of poverty and a desire for a larger base of power-sharing and responsibility. The prophetic voice of the church is encouraged here as an institution that can in many ways be taken seriously in a call for social and economic justice in many parts of the world.

Editor Heslam concludes with an epilogue that draws various strands together, including his own idea of synthesis that looks for a sustainable global capitalism that works in aid of all the people, through technological developments that can solve many worldwide problems as well as an empowerment of peoples that can give others a sense of sharing in the global community. Heslam emphasises the biblical creation story and humanity's responsibility toward creation as a call to use natural resources (he uses the term `natural capital') much more wisely and efficiently in sustainable ways.