Globalization, Poverty and Inequality: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

by Raphael Kaplinsky

Globalization is characterised by persistent poverty and growing inequality. Conventional wisdom has it that this global poverty is residual – as globalization deepens, the poor will be lifted out of destitution. The policies of the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO echo this belief and push developing countries ever deeper into the global economy. Globalization, Poverty and Inequality provides an alternative viewpoint. It argues that for many – particularly for those living in Latin America, Asia and Central Europe – poverty and globalization are relational. It is the very workings of the global system which condemn many to poverty. In particular the mobility of investment, and the large pool of increasingly skilled workers in China and other parts of Asia, are driving down global wages. This poses challenges for policy makers in firms and countries throughout the world. It also challenges the very sustainability of globalisation itself. Are we about to witness the implosion of globalisation, as occurred between 1913 and 1950? Using a variety of theoretical frameworks and drawing on a vast amount of original research, this book will be an invaluable resource for all students of globalization and its effects.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics

216 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2005

Reviews

[Diane Kurtz]

A Nuanced, Relational Take on Globalization and Poverty A Must-Read Beyond the Simplistic Binaries

Globalization is characterised by persistent poverty and growing inequality. Conventional wisdom has it that this global poverty is residual as globalization deepens, the poor will be lifted out of destitution. The policies of the World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO echo this belief and push developing countries ever deeper into the global economy.

This book provides a compelling alternative viewpoint. It argues that for many particularly for those living in Latin America, Asia, and Central Europe poverty and globalization are relational. It is the very workings of the global system which condemn many to poverty. In particular, the mobility of investment, and the large pool of increasingly skilled workers in China and other parts of Asia, are driving down global wages. This poses serious challenges for policy makers in firms and countries throughout the world. It also challenges the very sustainability of globalisation itself. Are we about to witness the implosion of globalisation, as occurred between 1913 and 1950?

What I found refreshing about this book is that it doesn't fall into the trap of "globalization good" or "globalization bad." Instead, Kaplinsky offers a well-balanced, well-researched, and relatively jargon-free analysis that uncovers the perils as well as the promise of globalization in an unvarnished look at winners, losers, and the new rules of the game. Drawing on a vast amount of original research and multiple theoretical frameworks, the book enables readers to rise above the simplicities and engage with the real complexities of how the global system operates.

This is an invaluable resource for students of globalization, development economics, and international political economy. It is equally relevant for policymakers at the World Bank, IMF, WTO, and national governments, as well as economists and concerned citizens who sense that globalization is not working for everyone.

If you are looking for a thoughtful, data-rich, accessible analysis that challenges many of our assumptions about how industrialization and globalization work and how we might manage the process more effectively and equitably this book deserves your attention.

[Tannya]

typically I love this type of read. However, I found this book a bit boring and also quite repetitive. I really like opinions and or bias backed up with plenty of facts, which I felt were lacking throughout this book as well. It took me far to long to get through it.