Globalization and Its Discontents

From Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Globalization and its Discontents is the bestselling exposé of the all-powerful organizations that control our lives. Our world is changing. Globalization is not working. It is hurting those it was meant to help. And now, the tide is turning... As chief economist at the world bank, Nobel Prize-winner Joseph Stiglitz had a unique insider's view into the management of globalization. Now he speaks out against it: how the IMF and WTO preach fair trade yet impose crippling economic policies on deveopling nations; how free market 'shock therapy' made millions in East Asia and Russia worse off than they were before; and how the West has driven the global agenda to further its own financial interests. Globalization can still be a force for good, Stiglitz argues. But the balance of power has to change. Here he offers real, tough solutions for the future. 'A massively important political as well as economic document ... we should listen to him urgently' Will Hutton, Guardian 'Stiglitz is a rare breed, an heretical economist who has ruffled the self-satisfied global establishment that once fed him. Globalization and its Discontents declares war on the entire Washington financial and economic establishment' Ian Fraser, Sunday Herald 'Gripping ... this landmark book shows him to be a worthy successor to Keynes' Robin Blackburn, Independent Joseph Stiglitz is one of the world's best-known economists. He was Chief Economist at the World Bank until January 2000. Before that he was Chairman of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers. He is currently Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia University. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001 and is the author of the bestselling Making Globalization Work, The Price of Inequality and The Roaring Nineties, all published by Penguin.

Table of Contents:
The promise of global institutions; broken promises; freedom to choose?; the East Asia crisis - how IMF policies brought the world to the verge of a global meltdown; who lost Russia?; unfair trade laws and other mischief; better roads to the market; the IMF's other agenda; the way ahead.

About the Author :
Joseph Stiglitz was Chief Economist at the World Bank until January 2000. Before that he was Chairman of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisors. He is currently Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia University. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001.

Review :
[An] urgently important new book. -- George Scialabba [Stiglitz's] rare mix of academic achievement and policy experience makes Globalization and Its Discontents worth reading. -- Michael J. Mandel [Stiglitz] is not a global pessimist, but a realist-and instead of placing him in a neat box labeled 'important contribution to the debate,' we should listen to him urgently. -- Will Hutton [W]ill surely claim a large place on the public stage. -- Benjamin M. Friedman A fresh, much-needed look at how these institutions-primarily the International Monetary Fund-affect policy... Stiglitz has done important work... -- Anna Lappe A great tour of the complexities of economic policymaking. Getting a top economist to subject the US Treasury and the IMF to withering scrutiny... is good for the long-term health of the system. -- William Easterly A war story from inside the halls of the White House and the World Bank, the confession of a powerful economist with a political conscience and a healthy degree of common sense. -- Lenora Todaro Accessible, provocative and highly readable... Brings an insider's insights into the crises of the 1990s and beyond. -- Alan Cowell Development and economics are not about statistics. Rather, they are about lives and jobs. Stiglitz never forgets that... -- Frank Bures He is one of the most important economists of modern times. -- Nicholas Stern, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, World Bank Penetrating, insightful.... A seminal work that must be read. -- George Soros This book is everyone's guide to the misgovernment of globalization. Stiglitz explains it here in plain and compelling language. -- James K. Galbraith, The University of Texas at Austin Whatever your opinions, you will be engaged by Stiglitz's sharp insights. A must read. -- Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labor Organization "Accessible, provocative and highly readable....Brings an insider's insights into the crises of the 1990s and beyond." "Entertaining, insightful, and well-written....Makes a compelling case." "Penetrating, insightful....A seminal work tht must be read." "Accessible, provocative and highly readable.... Brings an insider's insights into the crises of the 1990s and beyond." "Entertaining, insightful, and well-written.... Makes a compelling case." "Penetrating, insightful... A seminal work that must be read."