What do you think?
Rate this book
One World Ready or Not: The Manic Logic of Global Capitalism
The global economy is the leitmotif of the end of the twentieth century. Driven by the logic of modern capitalism, the global economy, a product of the Third Industrial Revolution, is a wondrous free-running system that is reordering the world as it transforms the lives and economic prospects of workers, corporations and nations. Having traveled the globe and talked to factory workers, corporate CEOs, economists and government officials, Greider contends that the global economy is sowing "creative destruction" while making possible great accumulations of wealth, it is also reviving forms of human exploitation that characterized industry one hundred years ago and raising profound questions about the relevance of the nation-state in the face of impersonal market forces.
Greider explains the dynamics of the global economy in terms of human struggle of diverse peoples and nations, rich and poor alike, facing a multiplicity of opportunities and dangers. As manufacturers in search of greater returns on investment move their assembly lines to low-wage countries, the globalization of industrial production is resulting in excess supplies of goods and labor, which, in turn, exert downward pressures on prices and wages. The deregulation of cross-border capital flows has opened new opportunities for currency traders while allowing unfettered speculation on a scale that can overwhelm the resources of even major governments. Meanwhile, the high interest rates that global investors charge to finance the growing debt of rich nations threaten the modern welfare state, with the attendant risks of class conflict and social chaos.
Greider explains the dynamics of the global economy in terms of human struggle of diverse peoples and nations, rich and poor alike, facing a multiplicity of opportunities and dangers. As manufacturers in search of greater returns on investment move their assembly lines to low-wage countries, the globalization of industrial production is resulting in excess supplies of goods and labor, which, in turn, exert downward pressures on prices and wages. The deregulation of cross-border capital flows has opened new opportunities for currency traders while allowing unfettered speculation on a scale that can overwhelm the resources of even major governments. Meanwhile, the high interest rates that global investors charge to finance the growing debt of rich nations threaten the modern welfare state, with the attendant risks of class conflict and social chaos.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
9 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 9, 2011
A terrific review of the effects and direction of economic globalization. Greider leaves open the question of whether or not these developments are positive or negative, while always keeping the human story in the foreground. Well done.
November 4, 2015
It took me about 15 years to finish this, which isn't the greatest commentary, particularly given that I've devoured several other books by Greider and regard him very highly. It isn't a page-turner, especially in the early going--it does feel more compelling later on. That said, it is a good book and it is very much worth reading--one result of the perverse way in which I read this is that a lot of the "just happened"/predictive elements in a late 1990s book wind up looking depressingly prescient 18 or so years after he wrote it. As I picked this back up again over the last month or two (I probably read 2/3 or 3/4 of the book in this iteration), I was really struck by how well Greider's take continues to align with the realities--mostly the grim realities--of the present-day global political economy.
December 16, 2017
one of the best books on the rapid pace of globalization and the impact it is having on our world today...and the train that is coming down the tracks...regardless of what nationalism and "making America great" thinking does to try to stop it...
June 2, 2021
The single best book I have read explaining the intricacies of global financial markets and their discontents. I will reread/reference this book for years to come.
July 15, 2014
This book is like a seven course meal - a lot to digest! I kind of had to psych myself up before starting it because I knew this book was the opposite of breezy summer reading. However, it is a very rewarding book if you're willing to stick with it. Among the many things I learned along the way: why American companies are moving industry overseas (not just because of cheaper labor!), how global finance is becoming more powerful than nation states (including some spookily-accurate predictions a full decade before the global financial crisis of 2007), and of course a broad and understandable explanation of how globalization works in today's modern economy. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the practical whys and wherefores of globalization.
October 11, 2008
An anecdotal, but telling, account of the mechanisms behind globalization and the race to the bottom. Greider is not an ivory tower economist, but I think he successfully struck a cord with this book.
Especially now (October 10, 2008, DJIA down 20% for the week and 44% for the year), I feel that perhaps Greider will receive some vindication over his warnings about capital roaming the globe looking for the best price. We are witnessing some effects of that right now.
Will we address the fundamental instabilities? I'm not personally optimistic.
Especially now (October 10, 2008, DJIA down 20% for the week and 44% for the year), I feel that perhaps Greider will receive some vindication over his warnings about capital roaming the globe looking for the best price. We are witnessing some effects of that right now.
Will we address the fundamental instabilities? I'm not personally optimistic.
November 3, 2012
One of the most accurate descriptions of our era I´ve read.
While reading his books, one can feel the real life they are founded on; we almost vividly experience his arguments. We hear the voices, listen to the noises and heart beats, smell and taste.
Greider is an enlightened author. The way he writes gives us permission to dialogue with him just like we were face to face.
While reading his books, one can feel the real life they are founded on; we almost vividly experience his arguments. We hear the voices, listen to the noises and heart beats, smell and taste.
Greider is an enlightened author. The way he writes gives us permission to dialogue with him just like we were face to face.
December 31, 2020
Not an exciting page turner read it a good 10 plus years ago but still relevant.
In my opinion what IS important about this book and to add to others reviews I would say this book does a very good job ox explaining how China went from being a socalled third world country to co-opting leading US Uk etc firms to incorporating Chinese firms in the global supply chain which eventually enabled Chinese firms to become car, plane, computer etc manufacturer’s in their own right. That Western firms allowed this to happen by fixating on short to medium term profit where as China played a very long game.
IMPORTANTLY this is why the likes of Boeing and other leading manufacturers do not really speak out against China. This is why listening to leading global firms may have made sense in the 1960/80s but in the Global world these companies have effectively outgrown their home market and been assimilated into the global supply chain.
Greider is a left leaning guy and was an early voice in warning against dangerous health & safety etc in China and developing Countries.
So an important read rather than an exciting read.
This knowledge is still with me and gives a perspective that few others mention and gives me an advantage in understanding the Global situation even if I got bored many moons ago of following the day to day news.
In my opinion what IS important about this book and to add to others reviews I would say this book does a very good job ox explaining how China went from being a socalled third world country to co-opting leading US Uk etc firms to incorporating Chinese firms in the global supply chain which eventually enabled Chinese firms to become car, plane, computer etc manufacturer’s in their own right. That Western firms allowed this to happen by fixating on short to medium term profit where as China played a very long game.
IMPORTANTLY this is why the likes of Boeing and other leading manufacturers do not really speak out against China. This is why listening to leading global firms may have made sense in the 1960/80s but in the Global world these companies have effectively outgrown their home market and been assimilated into the global supply chain.
Greider is a left leaning guy and was an early voice in warning against dangerous health & safety etc in China and developing Countries.
So an important read rather than an exciting read.
This knowledge is still with me and gives a perspective that few others mention and gives me an advantage in understanding the Global situation even if I got bored many moons ago of following the day to day news.
Want to read
May 10, 2023HB501 G647 1997 Memorial Library
November 20, 2013
An older book, but that describes the way Capitalism and globalisation has been going, quite enlightening, with examples from all over the world.
Quite a good retrospective analysis, and even with 15 years gone by, it is excellent to read current news with this angle.
For example
The Free Market system has worked wonders, but.
I quote:
The social question – How does a society equable relations among it’s own people ? – has been brushed aside by the economic sphere. Social cohesion and consent, even the minimal standards of human decency are irrelevant to free markets.
The essential purpose of deregulation, after all, is to free markets of functions of such non economic considerations. …”
I highly recommend reading this, and remember that I lean to the right, and have been an entrepreneur, so understand cash-flow, capital and balance sheets.
Quite a good retrospective analysis, and even with 15 years gone by, it is excellent to read current news with this angle.
For example
The Free Market system has worked wonders, but.
I quote:
The social question – How does a society equable relations among it’s own people ? – has been brushed aside by the economic sphere. Social cohesion and consent, even the minimal standards of human decency are irrelevant to free markets.
The essential purpose of deregulation, after all, is to free markets of functions of such non economic considerations. …”
I highly recommend reading this, and remember that I lean to the right, and have been an entrepreneur, so understand cash-flow, capital and balance sheets.
April 3, 2008
overwhelming in its length, but incredible ideas
September 13, 2007
A look at globalization.
June 30, 2008
Good but long
April 20, 2013
Excellent!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews