Reclaiming the Future New Zealand and the Global Economy

by Jane Kelsey

The vision of a global future spread through the world like wildfire in the last decade - exhilarating for some, alarming for others, apparently inexorable for all. As free-market advocates would have it, "there is no alternative..."

"Reclaiming the Future" tells a different story - that globalization is not inevitable, invincible or intrinsically good. The deregulated global economy has proved highly unstable. The pursuit of unending growth is unsustainable, and the social damage that free markets cause is provoking an international backlash.

Jane Kelsey explores the impact of globalization on the New Zealand economy. Her account of foreign investment and free trade policies, the role of the transnationals, and the challenges posed by global agreements and networks will open the eyes of readers. Reclaiming the Future opens wide the debate New Zealanders are seeking for the direction of their country in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Economics

430 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have given this 4 stars if I read it when it was first published. A decade has passed since - the issues are much the same - most of New Zealand's political parties are committed in their belief in the benefits of 'free-trade' for the New Zealand economy (all the evidence to the contrary seems to make no dent in this faith), while 'the left' continues to fail to articulate a persuasive vision of an alternative (and financially viable) path for New Zealand. Kelsey's book shows that such alternative paths are possible, and may well be superior. But she also notes that those who might articulate such paths are spending most of their time and energy simply fighting to prevent further policy losses. Again, I don't think that has changed in the decade since writing. It's understandable, but it may a big strategic mistake.