Alternatives to Economic Globalization

by Jerry Mander, Sarah Anderson, John Cavanagh

Written by a premier group of thinkers from around the world, Alternatives to Economic Globalization is the defining document of the antiglobalization movement. It presents both a sober critique of globalization as well as practical, thoughtful alternatives. The authors assert ten core requirements for democratic societies, including equality, basic human rights, local decision making, and ecological sustainability, and demonstrate how globalization undermines each. Offering specific strategies for reining in corporate domination, they address alternative systems for energy, agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing; ideas for weakening or dismantling the WTO, World Bank, and IMF; and rebuilding economies that are responsive to human needs.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Politics, Social Science

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published between 9/11 and the sub-prime meltdown followed by the Euro-zone financial crisis, "Alternatives to Economic Globalization" can't be faulted for underestimating how unstable global financial capital markets would become, or missing the mark on where the problems would occur. While they may have informed the Occupy movement of 2011, that too has come and gone. As a report of the Internation Forum on Globalization (IFG) and sub-titled "A Better World is Possible" I don't question their good intentions. However, it did not age well. Some passages are very clear and concise. Otherwise, the book is filled with ideological jargon and there's a lot of repetition.

Above all, the authors did not anticipate that the anti-globalization movement would be hijacked by White Nationalists with a reactionary racist agenda. Several statements made me cringe. These could have been uttered by the 45th POTUS as excuses for weaseling out of various international agreements. The authors offer no path for reconciliation of the critique of multinational corporations with a protectionist, anti-immigrant agenda. As we face the transition from an authoritarian anti-globalist to a pro-globalist centrist, the book offers no path forward. The resources listed are dated. IFG has not maintained a website and appears to be defunct.

Many of the suggestion may be worth resurecting, particularly with respect to corporate accountability and governance. A better world is possible, and parts of it might be found here. However, a fresh perspective is needed in the post-Trump era.

[Brimate · Rating 2 out of 5]

sounds great but the book argues for localized capitalism. offers good reasons for localizing the economy, but still, it wants to go back to the early days of capitalism and what adam smith wanted.

[Jonathanstray Stray · Rating 2 out of 5]

They mean well, but mostly haven't thought it thu.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are using this book for a class I am teaching. I feel it provides a useful introduction to some of the critiques and structural flaws of the globalized economy. Given that it is a collection of many writings, it sometimes doesn't go as deep as I would like and I would appreciate having an alternative viewpoint. All that said, it's a useful introduction.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of well-thought out ideas that resist the arguments of globalization as being a rising-tide phenomenon, and explores directions for global economic and creative cooperation without the dominance of the WTO, IMF and multinational corporations calling the shots.

[Adam Davidson-Harden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to critical perspectives of the current global economy, its implications, and alternatives..

[Melissa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best, current treatment on Globalization I've read

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for explaining neoliberalism to your parents and neighbors.

[Liz]

Litquake author.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about global economic alternatives can only be so good.