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In Defense of Globalization: With a New Afterword
In the passionate debate that currently rages over globalization, critics have been heard blaming it for a host of ills afflicting poorer nations, everything from child labor to environmental degradation and cultural homogenization. Now Jagdish Bhagwati, the internationally renowned economist, takes on the critics, revealing that globalization, when properly governed, is in fact the most powerful force for social good in the world today. Drawing on his unparalleled knowledge of international and development economics, Bhagwati explains why the "gotcha" examples of the critics are often not as compelling as they seem. With the wit and wisdom for which he is renowned, Bhagwati convincingly shows that globalization is part of the solution, not part of the problem.
This edition features a new afterword by the author, in which he counters recent writings by prominent journalist Thomas Friedman and the Nobel Laureate economist Paul Samuelson and argues that current anxieties about the economic implications of globalization are just as unfounded as were the concerns about its social effects.
This edition features a new afterword by the author, in which he counters recent writings by prominent journalist Thomas Friedman and the Nobel Laureate economist Paul Samuelson and argues that current anxieties about the economic implications of globalization are just as unfounded as were the concerns about its social effects.
344 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
48 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
Jagdish N. Bhagwati
76 books45 followersJagdish Natwarlal Bhagwati (born July 26, 1934) is an Indian American economist and professor of economics and law at Columbia University. He is well known for his research in international trade and for his advocacy of free trade.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 29, 2013
Originally read for a class in International Aspects of Economic Development.
As the title suggests, Bhagwati's aim is to defend the march of globalisation against its detractors. Just as the interest groups that protest at WTO meetings seemed varied and with disjointed aims (sharing little in common except a distrust for the internationalisation of trade and its spillover effects) so too is Bhagwati's book. It is a book without focus and I believe that ultimately hinders the author's ability to make his argument in an effective manner.
Every writer must begin by asking who is his audience. If Bhagwati really asked that question, I see only hints of it. It is not written for the economist. There is a lack the depth required for a good discussion on the topic. Is it then written for the average person? That certainly seems what he was attempting. But the text is filled with what I consider “literary name dropping” where the author condescends to demonstrate how well-read he is in a manner that seems diversionary rather than additive. (And let's disregard his unfortunate tendency to name everything after himself: Bhagwati tax, Bhagwati Paradox, etc)
One of his critiques is that the discussion about globalisation has been weakened by the tendency to use (effectively) a narrative as the dominant case against trade (Naomi Klein's “No Logo” is an excellent example of such a trend). His tendency, however, after complaining about such tactics is then to counter with his own anecdotal evidence. Or to blithely dismiss the arguments against as wrong without explanation as to why. Some parts are argued well. Some are controversial and interesting. But too many times--even in parts where I agreed with his ultimate point--I found his evidence lacking and his arguments weakly put forth in what was an attempt (I believe) to water it down for a more mainstream audience or just an unintended contempt for his opponents.
So perhaps it is trying to hit a middle audience. If you are generally suspicious of globalisation, this book won't change your mind. If you are generally for globalisation, you'll probably be disappointed. If you have no opinion or don't care either way... the odds are this book won't appeal to you. If there had been more meat, it may have been far more compelling and enticing to discuss and consider. As it is, it doesn't really change the debate as it stands.
Conclusion: Weak Recommendation / Not Recommended
As the title suggests, Bhagwati's aim is to defend the march of globalisation against its detractors. Just as the interest groups that protest at WTO meetings seemed varied and with disjointed aims (sharing little in common except a distrust for the internationalisation of trade and its spillover effects) so too is Bhagwati's book. It is a book without focus and I believe that ultimately hinders the author's ability to make his argument in an effective manner.
Every writer must begin by asking who is his audience. If Bhagwati really asked that question, I see only hints of it. It is not written for the economist. There is a lack the depth required for a good discussion on the topic. Is it then written for the average person? That certainly seems what he was attempting. But the text is filled with what I consider “literary name dropping” where the author condescends to demonstrate how well-read he is in a manner that seems diversionary rather than additive. (And let's disregard his unfortunate tendency to name everything after himself: Bhagwati tax, Bhagwati Paradox, etc)
One of his critiques is that the discussion about globalisation has been weakened by the tendency to use (effectively) a narrative as the dominant case against trade (Naomi Klein's “No Logo” is an excellent example of such a trend). His tendency, however, after complaining about such tactics is then to counter with his own anecdotal evidence. Or to blithely dismiss the arguments against as wrong without explanation as to why. Some parts are argued well. Some are controversial and interesting. But too many times--even in parts where I agreed with his ultimate point--I found his evidence lacking and his arguments weakly put forth in what was an attempt (I believe) to water it down for a more mainstream audience or just an unintended contempt for his opponents.
So perhaps it is trying to hit a middle audience. If you are generally suspicious of globalisation, this book won't change your mind. If you are generally for globalisation, you'll probably be disappointed. If you have no opinion or don't care either way... the odds are this book won't appeal to you. If there had been more meat, it may have been far more compelling and enticing to discuss and consider. As it is, it doesn't really change the debate as it stands.
Conclusion: Weak Recommendation / Not Recommended
July 23, 2016
Defending asymmetry?
[Through my ratings, reviews and edits I'm providing intellectual property and labor to Amazon.com Inc., listed on Nasdaq, which fully owns Goodreads.com and in 2013 posted revenues for $74 billion and $274 million profits. Intellectual property and labor require compensation. Amazon.com Inc. is also requested to provide assurance that its employees and contractors' work conditions meet the highest health and safety standars at all the company's sites.]
The author advocates free trade, which is by definition and theoretically symmetrical, while spending the entire book on cases of asymmetry. Unable to see the wood for the trees, he concludes that globalization is good, but has to be managed.
The most revealing moment of the book is when it quotes a conversation between two economists, and one says: "Tommy, the difference between your socialism and mine is that when you think of yourself as a socialist, you think of yourself as behind the counter; when I think of myself as a socialist, I think of myself being in front of it " (p. 58, emphasis added). I'm not sure of the implications for socialism, but the in front/behind the counter asymmetry identified here gets straight to the heart of globalization.
The author exposes many of the asymmetries that trigger activism around the globe better than any NGO: the introduction of intellectual property protection into the WTO, to prevent developing countries from freely trading pharmaceuticals; the disasters brought about by the 'bottom of the pyramid' marketing of baby formula, and the refusal of multinationals to comply with WHO regulation; the catastrophic outcomes of free capital movements in the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis. Every time, the West wants to be the one behind the counter, and the rest are forced to stay in front of it.
There are of course laugh out loud moments scattered throughout the book, as when the author posits that one billionnaire is better than a thousand millionaires because the billionnaire will spend a higher share of its riches on philanthropy.
In conclusion, can globalization be managed? This is to ask, can the artful or violent maintenance of power asymmetries by the West be tweaked to generate positive spillovers for the rest? Clearly, this a question not worth answering.
[Through my ratings, reviews and edits I'm providing intellectual property and labor to Amazon.com Inc., listed on Nasdaq, which fully owns Goodreads.com and in 2013 posted revenues for $74 billion and $274 million profits. Intellectual property and labor require compensation. Amazon.com Inc. is also requested to provide assurance that its employees and contractors' work conditions meet the highest health and safety standars at all the company's sites.]
The author advocates free trade, which is by definition and theoretically symmetrical, while spending the entire book on cases of asymmetry. Unable to see the wood for the trees, he concludes that globalization is good, but has to be managed.
The most revealing moment of the book is when it quotes a conversation between two economists, and one says: "Tommy, the difference between your socialism and mine is that when you think of yourself as a socialist, you think of yourself as behind the counter; when I think of myself as a socialist, I think of myself being in front of it " (p. 58, emphasis added). I'm not sure of the implications for socialism, but the in front/behind the counter asymmetry identified here gets straight to the heart of globalization.
The author exposes many of the asymmetries that trigger activism around the globe better than any NGO: the introduction of intellectual property protection into the WTO, to prevent developing countries from freely trading pharmaceuticals; the disasters brought about by the 'bottom of the pyramid' marketing of baby formula, and the refusal of multinationals to comply with WHO regulation; the catastrophic outcomes of free capital movements in the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis. Every time, the West wants to be the one behind the counter, and the rest are forced to stay in front of it.
There are of course laugh out loud moments scattered throughout the book, as when the author posits that one billionnaire is better than a thousand millionaires because the billionnaire will spend a higher share of its riches on philanthropy.
In conclusion, can globalization be managed? This is to ask, can the artful or violent maintenance of power asymmetries by the West be tweaked to generate positive spillovers for the rest? Clearly, this a question not worth answering.
April 11, 2012
Bhagwati delivers a rather uninspiring entry into the globalization debate. I only read this book, because I got it on the cheap and felt like it is getting too dated, if I don't soon pick it up.
Well, Bhagwati surely is a seasoned and competent economist, but he feels comfortable testing his skills against straw man-arguments, writing in a somewhat polemic tone when discussing critics and recounts several personal anecdotes that rather that serving his curse make him seem like an uppity snob. Besides that the arguments brought up never really reach a level beyond economics 101 (I am not suggesting that he can't argue above that standard but rather that here he chose not to in order to sell more books)and now that some time has passed seem outdated at times. I cannot agree with him on the environmental side of world economics at all (than again, my ratings are not based on how much I agree with an author).
On the bright side, I think that he raises some right points about the need for borders to be more open and the destructive potential of financial markets (which in hindsight he greatly underestimated). I also agree that a lot of the "fair trade" labeling is more about protection the own producers than actually helping the developing countries raising their standards.
Well, Bhagwati surely is a seasoned and competent economist, but he feels comfortable testing his skills against straw man-arguments, writing in a somewhat polemic tone when discussing critics and recounts several personal anecdotes that rather that serving his curse make him seem like an uppity snob. Besides that the arguments brought up never really reach a level beyond economics 101 (I am not suggesting that he can't argue above that standard but rather that here he chose not to in order to sell more books)and now that some time has passed seem outdated at times. I cannot agree with him on the environmental side of world economics at all (than again, my ratings are not based on how much I agree with an author).
On the bright side, I think that he raises some right points about the need for borders to be more open and the destructive potential of financial markets (which in hindsight he greatly underestimated). I also agree that a lot of the "fair trade" labeling is more about protection the own producers than actually helping the developing countries raising their standards.
December 15, 2009
without knowing what Bhagwati tries to say through this book, I jumped to a chapter where the following are discussed:
"of course such a self-interest has to be plausible. too often, US proponents of aid to poor countries have tried to hide the altruism and sought to justify aid flows on ground of enlightened self interest, arguing that it is that good not for our souls but really for our material well-being" [p.226 on appropriate governance, an overview:]
what drag my interest here is when Bhagwati illustrate the above phenomenon with the story where a rich man and a poor one are praying in church and when finally the rich man gives money to the poor man and said 'buy as much bread as you want with this hundred dollars, but get out of here, I need the lord's undivided attention .
live with the fact that indeed my country currently is the poor man in that story, made me wonder whether the globalization promoted by the rich man are really that appealing to poor man???and the poor man in that story are so powerless??... hhmm...don't think so....as bhagwati pointed out in the end of this chapter on the subject of interdependence, to go ahead, but to temper the enthusiasm with both a small degree of skepticism and a large dose of caveat emptor...indeed
"of course such a self-interest has to be plausible. too often, US proponents of aid to poor countries have tried to hide the altruism and sought to justify aid flows on ground of enlightened self interest, arguing that it is that good not for our souls but really for our material well-being" [p.226 on appropriate governance, an overview:]
what drag my interest here is when Bhagwati illustrate the above phenomenon with the story where a rich man and a poor one are praying in church and when finally the rich man gives money to the poor man and said 'buy as much bread as you want with this hundred dollars, but get out of here, I need the lord's undivided attention .
live with the fact that indeed my country currently is the poor man in that story, made me wonder whether the globalization promoted by the rich man are really that appealing to poor man???and the poor man in that story are so powerless??... hhmm...don't think so....as bhagwati pointed out in the end of this chapter on the subject of interdependence, to go ahead, but to temper the enthusiasm with both a small degree of skepticism and a large dose of caveat emptor...indeed
January 15, 2011
For someone who comes across as a vehement advocate of free trade, I found some of Bhagwati's suggestions regarding modifications, useful forms of oversight, and important aspects of social responsibility to be surprisingly cognizant of problems that can arise because of free trade, especially given the influence of rich nations such as the United States (which throws its weight around in many ways, e.g., preventing its own accountability in terms of failing to sign the Kyoto treaty, allowing replacement workers and other limitations on the right to strike and organize unions, kowtowing to Wall Street financial interests, etc.) I liked some of his ideas (especially around immigration policy, the scaling back of required intellectual property protection under the WTO, and the envisioned roles of NGOs in advocating for human rights and environmental reform), but disagreed with some of his assumptions (such as the general wisdom of rapid trade liberalization and his oversimplification of tariffs). I also found his tone self-important at times - he's one of those people who loves to drop names and repeat his own jokes, as if we're all rooting for him in his ironic snideness. Yet, I respected his passion on other issues. I'll give a more detailed review soon - this book deserves that.
April 9, 2007
Yeah, I hated this book. The author is just an ass that I want to meet him just so that I can make him eat his own damn book.
July 12, 2012
A so called masterpiece built on naive, simplistic, outdated economic theories.
June 10, 2017
Never have I ever seen someone quote themselves so much in a book, but I'll give it credit for having comprehensive ideas
April 12, 2018
If you are interested in the economic and social impact of globalisation, I would definitely recommend this book as it addresses many common concerns, for example child labour, environmental degradation or the effect of foreign competition on domestic workers. This is a very dense book, not overly long and packed with information on every page. The book uses a lot of economic theory and data but it is also peppered with personal anecdotes, quotes and humour which makes it readable. I think some economic knowledge would be a good prerequisite (it is assumed that the reader is already familiar with concepts such as comparative advantage or terms of trade). As the title suggests, this book has already come to a verdict. I cannot agree with Bhagwati on everything, in some cases I do think that globalization causes more harm than good. I found his arguments regarding child labour and female empowerment a lot more convincing than his stance on the environment, but nevertheless I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.
October 12, 2017
I read this book spring of 2017 and I'm surprised to find that I didn't write a review of it.
It is a brilliant book. It talks about globalization from the point of view of economics rather than political science. from research rather than the horrors recorded in novels.
He makes a strong case for globalization. He takes on every one of the assertions of the poly sci crowd. He doesn't avoid the huge suffering that has resulted from globalization.
A balanced view.
and my view of globalization "What is the alternative?"
and 'trading partners are less likely to go to war with each other.'
It is a brilliant book. It talks about globalization from the point of view of economics rather than political science. from research rather than the horrors recorded in novels.
He makes a strong case for globalization. He takes on every one of the assertions of the poly sci crowd. He doesn't avoid the huge suffering that has resulted from globalization.
A balanced view.
and my view of globalization "What is the alternative?"
and 'trading partners are less likely to go to war with each other.'
May 9, 2024
A decent book on why globalization is a good thing which debunks many myths about the harms of globalization (e.g., child labour, a race to the bottom, etc.), which is then undermined by the authors contradictory views of favouring some forms interventionism in the economy without expounding enough on why this is justified, especially relating to labour laws and finance.
February 23, 2025
Like I get the vibe and I feel like there are so many valid arguments in defense of globalization and Bhagwati decides to use the least convincing ones. His constant response to cons is to say no that’s not bc of globalization it’s something else and then gives no evidence. I don’t get why this book is really hyped up
November 21, 2024
A bit polemical. It's most interesting as a time capsule to the thinking of 2004, when globalization was at its peak. Such a difference in the framing of the debate. Also interesting to test the predictions that it made e.g. about China's liberalization.
July 31, 2018
Despite the title, the book is not a defense of globalization, but an attack on anti-globalization. Not the same thing.
November 12, 2021
The points were thoroughly argued and well presented, but the run-on sentences made it difficult to read. A lot of times, the author used a tone of superiority when dismissing the concerns of trade critics and other non-trade related activists, making some parts of the text cringe-worthy. If you can get past that, the book is still highly recommended because I find the author's thesis unique among all the globalization books I've read.
March 16, 2017
interesting and thorough
October 13, 2016
Reads more like a sociology, political commentary book, rather than econ. Sad, because Bhagwati is definitely a better economist than he is a writer.
August 25, 2025
Read this in grad school in a class where my teacher told me it would be imperative to write better (that I did not know how to write well enough) and that I had to see every different angle of an argument to present the best case and strongest argument myself. He didn't say this as much, but the reading he assigned, always with books showing every perspective of how you could think about something, spoke volumes.
I smile looking at this annotated copy with writing across every margin in which my handwriting is very loopy, very clear. Back when I had the time to read at libraries and always ensure I would use my favorite pens. When I was nervous to write hastily in a book. Now I make them mine on planes, trains, buses, parks, sidewalk-side cafe tables, in sun, in mist, with pen, with pencil, with sharpie even.
Eloquently presented comprehensive overview of the benefits of globalization. Gets down to the heart of why people think and act the way they do, and how the best policies can be developed to engender the best outcomes.
I smile looking at this annotated copy with writing across every margin in which my handwriting is very loopy, very clear. Back when I had the time to read at libraries and always ensure I would use my favorite pens. When I was nervous to write hastily in a book. Now I make them mine on planes, trains, buses, parks, sidewalk-side cafe tables, in sun, in mist, with pen, with pencil, with sharpie even.
Eloquently presented comprehensive overview of the benefits of globalization. Gets down to the heart of why people think and act the way they do, and how the best policies can be developed to engender the best outcomes.
May 18, 2013
I read this book as part of academic research, but I couldn't put it down. Bhagwati is intelligent, and his stance is unique once you learn about his family's background. He's not a White House economist preaching the marvels and miracles of free market economics, but he does make some valid arguments and examples of the successes of globalization in the past century.
One thing I was disturbed by was his loose definition of "globalization." The term was coined by Friedman, and his definition leaves much to be desired as well, but Bhagwati never specifies what defintion of the word he adheres to. Something I found difficult when analyzing his economic recommendations for globalization.
One thing I was disturbed by was his loose definition of "globalization." The term was coined by Friedman, and his definition leaves much to be desired as well, but Bhagwati never specifies what defintion of the word he adheres to. Something I found difficult when analyzing his economic recommendations for globalization.
July 20, 2012
EN DEFENSA DE LA GLOBALIZACIÓN, el rostro humano del mundo global. Jagdish Bhagwati. Ed. Debate.
Lo común sobre globalización es crítica férrea y regularmente radical, en términos muy generales para la mayoría globalización es la antesala del Apocalipsis, es el origen de todos los males.
Obviamente que no es ni puede ser así y Bhagwati lo explica racional y sensatamente.
Alejado de los dogmas predominantes sobre los perjuicios o beneficios de la globalización este hindú enumera y respalda con sólidos argumentos los beneficios de la globalización pero reconoce sus fallas y peligros.
Un libro lleno de sensatez y agudeza mental.
Lo común sobre globalización es crítica férrea y regularmente radical, en términos muy generales para la mayoría globalización es la antesala del Apocalipsis, es el origen de todos los males.
Obviamente que no es ni puede ser así y Bhagwati lo explica racional y sensatamente.
Alejado de los dogmas predominantes sobre los perjuicios o beneficios de la globalización este hindú enumera y respalda con sólidos argumentos los beneficios de la globalización pero reconoce sus fallas y peligros.
Un libro lleno de sensatez y agudeza mental.
August 26, 2008
This is a major work by a major figure in my field, so it's almost required reading. Meh. I guess it was OK. I'd have given a 2.5 if it were an option. Had I not been intensively studying this stuff for the past 2 years, it probably would have been more compelling and interesting. I appreciated his eloquence and wit, but there wasn't much new in here. I agree with his premise in general, but disagree with some of his hard line specifics.
October 6, 2012
This book provides a great overview to the criticisms of globalization, using solid statistical studies as evidence. Additionally, this book provides great examples of how policy changes can be used to further the good of globalization. However, it functions more as a book of distinct separate chapters than one greater argument for the benefits of globalization. There is no thread connecting each piece other than that each issue involves some analysis of globalization.
February 6, 2014
Bhagwati is making important points and he deserves to be heard, especially in the face of those on the more Manichean left who can only think of international economics in terms adapted to discuss geopolitics from the middle of the last century. It's a pity that he isn't a writer who naturally endears himself to the audience. His natural tone here is that of a curmudgeonly old man yelling "get off my lawn!"
May 25, 2007
Bhagwati presents his bias in the title of the book, however, he gives a strong, data-driven argument in favor of globalization. For one looking to understand the side of the pro-globalizer, this book offers a good overview of the complaints that critics of globalization voice and the reasons that Bhagwati feels globalization is beneficial for economic growth.
July 28, 2008
This is a great book on globalization, non-government organizations, and in particular the East Asian financial crisis of the 1990's. I would recommend reading it tandem with Joseph Stiglitz's "Globalization and It's Discontents." Both give differing views and musings on the past, current, and future make-up and issues of international financial institutions.
August 14, 2007
This was a terrific Globalization primer. Read this one along with "Globalization and Its Discontents" by Joseph Stiglitz and you'll impress all those friends who think drinking merlot is for the uninformed. Seriously, it's a good book.
December 28, 2007
This book is great! a real eyeopening look at globalization, what we know and don't know. Granted the author is a bit biased towards multinational corporations, but he is also very knowledgable and informative. I will never look at the issue, in the good sense and the bad, in the same way again.
shelved
September 10, 2011Amazon's website gives some interesting reviews on this title: http://www.amazon.com/Defense-Globali...
It can also be read at Google books: http://books.google.com/books?id=jW_m...
It can also be read at Google books: http://books.google.com/books?id=jW_m...
November 15, 2013
Bhagwati has always been an advocate of globalization. This book provides an added flavour in the context of a response to "Globalization and its Discontents" by Stiglitz. The debate is a riveting one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews