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Localization
Localization is a manifesto to unite all those who recognize the importance of cultural, social and ecological diversity for our future - and who do not aspire to a monolithic global consumer culture. It is a passionate and persuasive polemic, challenging the claims that we have to be 'internationally competitive' to survive and describing the destructive consequences of globalization. This book is unique in going beyond simply criticizing free trade and globalization trends. It details self-reinforcing policies to create local self-sufficiency and shows clearly that there is an alternative to globalization - to protect the local, globally.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
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January 7, 2024
Margaret Thatcher famously proclaimed that “there is no alternative” to a globalized world. Hines presents proposals aimed squarely at defining and implementing an alternative economic approach based on localized economics and politics.
The first part offers several chapters on why globalization does not work for the ninety-nine percent. It’s a good summary, but we’ve seen this material before.
The second and third parts focus on what localized economies would look like and how such a new system could be implemented. The third part is especially welcome since most books of this nature fail badly at describing how to go about implementing (and, especially, paying for) change. These sections are excellent.
The basic set of localization policies are as follows:
• Safeguarding national and regional economies against imports of goods and services that can be produced locally;
• Build locally in order to sell locally rules for industry;
• Localizing money flows to rebuild the economies of communities;
• Local competition policies to ensure high-quality goods and services;
• The introduction of a range of progressive taxes to help pay for such a fundamental and expensive transition, and to ensure that the changes protect the environment;
• Fostering democratic participation in the local economic and political systems;
• Redirecting trade and aid so it helps to rebuild local economies instead of focusing on the bogeyman of ‘international competitiveness’.
It probably doesn’t need to be emphasized, but Hines’ plan is no magic bullet. If it was implemented in full, localization would result in a massive redistribution of wealth. Many would welcome this but, realistically, any government that attempted this job in one fell swoop would quickly find itself unemployed. Hines does an excellent job of providing the reader with policy arguments against globalization, and describing what is involved in implementing more localized approaches. There is a good set of references and a suggested reading list for obtaining more detail on specific topics.
I borrowed this book from the library and, after reading it, I wanted to put it on my list of books to buy. My thought was that, whenever my government proposes policies to further entrench globalization, I could look up ideas here and provide alternate input to my politicians. However, I was surprised to see that this small book sells for $65 Canadian in paperback. That’s a real problem with small academic presses.
The first part offers several chapters on why globalization does not work for the ninety-nine percent. It’s a good summary, but we’ve seen this material before.
The second and third parts focus on what localized economies would look like and how such a new system could be implemented. The third part is especially welcome since most books of this nature fail badly at describing how to go about implementing (and, especially, paying for) change. These sections are excellent.
The basic set of localization policies are as follows:
• Safeguarding national and regional economies against imports of goods and services that can be produced locally;
• Build locally in order to sell locally rules for industry;
• Localizing money flows to rebuild the economies of communities;
• Local competition policies to ensure high-quality goods and services;
• The introduction of a range of progressive taxes to help pay for such a fundamental and expensive transition, and to ensure that the changes protect the environment;
• Fostering democratic participation in the local economic and political systems;
• Redirecting trade and aid so it helps to rebuild local economies instead of focusing on the bogeyman of ‘international competitiveness’.
It probably doesn’t need to be emphasized, but Hines’ plan is no magic bullet. If it was implemented in full, localization would result in a massive redistribution of wealth. Many would welcome this but, realistically, any government that attempted this job in one fell swoop would quickly find itself unemployed. Hines does an excellent job of providing the reader with policy arguments against globalization, and describing what is involved in implementing more localized approaches. There is a good set of references and a suggested reading list for obtaining more detail on specific topics.
I borrowed this book from the library and, after reading it, I wanted to put it on my list of books to buy. My thought was that, whenever my government proposes policies to further entrench globalization, I could look up ideas here and provide alternate input to my politicians. However, I was surprised to see that this small book sells for $65 Canadian in paperback. That’s a real problem with small academic presses.
Displaying 1 of 1 review