Globalization and Progressive Economic Policy

The authors of this book challenge mainstream thinking about the nature of globalization. While not hostile to markets per se, they believe that capitalist market processes, left to operate freely, tend to generate injustice, insecurity, instability, and inefficiency. Taking account of the new realities of globalization, this volume explores an unusually wide range of subjects, including trade integration, multinational corporations, labor markets and migration, international capital flows, macroeconomic and environmental policy, and the central roles of the IMF and World Bank. It proposes alternatives to neo-liberal orthodoxy, developing policy measures that counter the destructive features of markets and promote equality as well as efficiency. The approach in this volume is particularly illuminating for understanding the Asian financial collapse of 1997–98 and similar recent crises. The volume also includes comments on each chapter by a wide range of distinguished economists, producing a lively and often controversial set of interchanges.

'This book on globalisation stands out for its breadth of coverage, the quality of its contents and for the unusual perspectives it provides on the subject. The book shows how to understand the costs and benefits of globalisation and what citizens and governments should do to ensure that economic justice and economic stability are not among its casualties. A 'must-read' for scholars, students and policy-makers.' Ajit Singh, University of Cambridge, 'Here is a book that will force you to reconsider much of what you think you know about policy in a globalized economy. Even if you do not agree with the conclusions, you will be enriched for having pondered these unconventional perspectives.' Dani Rodrik, Harvard University, 'This book sheds valuable light on understanding the central role international financial liberalisation has played in the recent Asian economic crisis, and on predicting what will be the consequences of the neo-liberal policies the IMF has imposed on Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. More importantly, the book provides many progressive policy ideas to those of us who have been bewildered by the propaganda that 'there is no alternative' to neo-liberalism.' Soo Haeng Kim, Seoul National University, 'Amidst the hype and half-truths about globalization, this collection stands out for its richly documented and path-breaking analysis. Destined to become the standard against which future critical analyses of the global economy are judged, this book is ideal for course use and is a must-have for the libraries of all social scientists interested in these critical issues.' Juliet B. Schor, Harvard University, 'The editors of and contributors to this compelling new book go far beyond the numbers, to set out and debate big ideas about the history of capitalist development in the twentieth century. Does the present revival of free markets - the neoliberal regime - constitutes a welcome return to the generally benign processes of global integration that preceded World War I? Or does it represent a dangerous undermining of the socially solidaristic embedding of market forces that was the great invention of the post World War II welfare state? As this book shows, the reappearance of all the old problems of political and economic instability and worsening inequality strongly support the second interpretation. Without new forms of state regulation such as those described in this volume, unfettered global capitalism threatens to wreck havoc with balanced, civilized, equitable economic growth.' Bennett Harrison, New School for Social Research