Globalization

by Donald J. Boudreaux, Donald J. Boudreaux

The contemporary era of globalization demonstrates that the local and global aspects of business and government are increasingly intertwined. This volume defines and makes sense of the workings of the global economy―and how it influences businesses and individuals. Each chapter identifies common questions and issues that have gained exposure in the popular media―such as outsourcing, the high cost of international travel, and the impact of a fast-growing China―to illustrate underlying drivers and mechanisms at work. Covering international trade, national wealth disparities (the haves vs. the have-nots), foreign investment, and geographical and cultural issues, and supported with illustrations, maps, charts, a glossary and timeline of key events,Globalization illuminates the dynamics of the global economy and informs readers of its profound impact on our daily lives.

Genres: Economics

162 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Dan Griswold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains in clear and accessible language why free trade and foreign investment are good for Americans. This should be a primary text for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the economics and institutions of globalization.

[Parker Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid introduction to the economics of trade more so than general globalization. Boudreaux explains objections to free trade and then criticizes them in a consistent and good faith way. The level of technicality is pretty solid as a more serious first step into the topic. There are occasions where Boudreaux makes a statement that is a little obtuse but then follows it up with a more straightforward explanation and often includes several examples. He addresses arguments for protectionism one by one, offers a good explanation of comparative advantage, gives the basic political science of protectionism and the calculus of politicians that enact it and even manages to speak critically of some of the international economic agencies near the end. At times he comes across as a little fundamentalist, but never as naive or one-dimensional.

[Ietrio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boudreaux seems to be full of good will. He wants to show the World that something is good. I agree with his hypothesis. But the text is crap. The poor guy is an ignorant. He shows about the advancements in leisure time in Western Europe, only the poor guy does not know the free time is government mandated. He rips off the Hong Kong example from Milton Friedman's Free to Choose and fills in his young student-like data: cute rudimentary graphs and lots of numbers. And it's easy to prove that tiny territory is doing great. Same goes for Singapore or Luxembourg. Now put that wealth on a surface like Somalia and the numbers would look less rosy.

[Liv Vh]

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