The Kimchi Matters: Global Business and Local Politics in a Crisis-Driven World

by Marvin Zonis, Dan Lefkovitz, Sam Wilkin

From renowned international business expert Marvin a penetrating analysis that cuts through the fog of polemic and misperception surrounding globalization and returns our attention to the issues that should really matter to everyone concerned about international business, economics, and politics. "Globalization is perhaps the defining international business and political story of the past two decades, so big, in fact, that many other stories were why some countries succeed in achieving stability; why others fail; and why it matters. An ironic side-effect of globalization is that these relatively small, local -stories-the budget policies of Argentina, the corruption of Indonesia, the stability of Saudi Arabia, among many, many others-matter more than ever before. They are played out in distant countries, but with the click of a mouse or the boarding of a plane their effects are transmitted around the globe.For the uninitiated, kimchi is the unofficial Korean national unassuming cabbage soaked in chilis, -garlic, and ginger until pungent, fiery, and blood-red in color. To be sure, kimchi has its charms; but for today, at least, it remains a very local dish. Today, almost everyone eats Big Macs (one hundred twenty-one countries at last count), which is unprecedented, amazing, in short, the "big story" of globalization. But one lesson of September 11 is that the small stories, of national politics, regional economics, and local struggles, cannot be overlooked. Everyone eats Big Macs; but the kimchi matters. This is a book about the kimchi." -From the Introduction In The Kimchi Matters , Zonis provides a useful anti-dote to other works that have done little more than simply explain the phenomenon of globalization and the processes that make the world more interconnected-trade, travel, technology, etc. Zonis demonstrates that nothing good will come of globalization and global business without sufficient attention paid to the unique situations in different countries.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeremy Kitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not a book for everyone. Sadly, despite the title, this book does not go into much detail about kimchi. But if you love Macroeconomics (who doesn't really) and are interested in geopolitical events of the late 20th century into the turn of the century, you would appreciate this book. It looks at countries as case studies for why some countries remain stable while others are destabilized.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, my progress on this book was not fast. To be fair to the Authors, this was primarily a function of what was going on in my life, not the pacing of the narrative. However, the book uses the classic Harvard Business School case study method, so as the book jumped between the economies of various countries, I sometimes found it easy to put down between case studies and harder to pick back up at a later date. However, as I said, I blame my lack of attention and not the skill of the writers. The case studies are quite interesting, and include examples from all over the Globe: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia.

BLUF: This is an International Business book; with a healthy dose of geopolitics thrown in. it is very much a study of Globalization, but how students of Globalization must also take into account the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of the micro-markets. The “Kimchi” of the title is shorthand for organic trends and characteristics of individual economies (and states) that must be taken into consideration and cannot be underestimated. Although the book is somewhat dated (Published 2003), the assessments and predictions hold up well. The final chapter on China (PRC) is especially interesting. I recommend this book to any student of Globalization or International Business.

The book is broadly divided into four parts: Discontent, Managing Discontent, Leadership, and Policy. The first half is more political, while the latter more economic in nature. I personally enjoyed the case studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe) as well as the final chapter on the People’s Republic of China. Definitely recommend.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for anyone interested in how global politics work. The authors have a flair for making what might be a dry subject, instead read as though it was the latest thriller. Up till now my knowledge of how regional politics could affect other areas of the world was limited to large scale events, but it is amazing how events in one country can suddenly impact dozens of nations. I also loved the dissection of how to be an effective dictator.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good treatise on global trade, the economies of the world, the governments that regulate them and what has proven to be successful development strategy compared to what are referred to as 'failed states'. Good reading for Economics and Political Science majors, as it provides many case studies and real world politico instead of dry, worn-out textbook content.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend to anyone interested on doing business on a global scale.