Backwaters of Global Prosperity: How Forces of Globalization and GATT/WTO Trade Regimes Contribute to the Marginalization of the World's Poorest Nations

About the Book

From direct foreign investment to the flow of capital, there are endless factors that affect the economies of the world's poorest countries. Knowledge of the struggles of these countries—also known as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)—is essential to understanding the impact of globalization. This work provides a platform for grasping why developed countries are reaping the benefits of globalization while the LDCs are being left behind.

Topical chapters seek to uncover the processes that LDCs should take to reverse their marginalization and build their economies so that they can receive the benefits of globalization. Subjects include: *The relationship between the World Trade Organization, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund *Multilateral trade regimes *Tariff and non-tariff barriers in developed countries *Global Commodity Prices *Trends in Poverty and Human Development *Technology

Table of Contents:

Preface
Introduction
The State of the LDCs: How Marginalized Are They in the Contemporary World Economy?
Multilateral Trade Regimes Under the GATT/WTO: How Do They Contribute to the Marginalization of the LDCs?
Special and Differential Treatment Measures Under the GATT/WTO: How Advantageous Are They for the Development of the LDCs?
The GATT/WTO Trade Regimes: How Lackluster Liberalization of the Textiles and Clothing Sector Restrained Economic Growth of the LDCs?
The GATT/WTO Trade Regimes: How Lack of Liberalization of the Agricultural Sector Impedes Economic Growth of the LDCs?
The WTO and the LDCs: How Conductive is the WTO Platform for Safeguarding and Promoting the Interests of the LDCs?
In Conclusion
References

About the Author :
CAF DOWLAH is Professor of Economics, and Director, Center of Economics Education at the City University of New York, Queensborough College. He also heads the Division of Economic Analysis and Global Cooperation of the City University of New York International Center for Environmental Resources and Development. Previous publications of the author include The Life and Times of Soviet Socialism (Praeger, 1997)and Soviet Political Economy in Transition: From Lenin to Gorbachev (Greenwood, 1992).

Review :
"[A] thought-provoking book that provides an excellent analysis of the difficulties and dilemmas that the least developed countries (LDCS) face in the contemporary world economy. Many years of experience with GATT/WTO-related issues helped the author in making persuasive arguments about the interests, options and contraints of the LDCS for integrating their economies into rapidly globalizing world economy. This is a well-written, well-informed, and timely study providing useful material to academics, professionals and policy makers concerned with the condition of the LDCS and the contemporary trend towards economic globalization."-Rashid Faruqee Senior Policy Advisor to the Government of Pakistan "[A] welcome treatise of the alarming problem that too many people in poor nations have been left out both from the decision making process and the benefit stream that globalization is doubtlessly generating. Many of his observations can be seen as points of departure for urgently needed corrections. Dr. Dowlah explains in excellent detail the complexities of the political economy of globalization and he draws attention to those flaws in international governance that need to be corrected if we want to ensure that the citizens of the poorest nations can also gain from the forces of these epochal changes."-Dr. Werner Kiene United Nations World Food Program Representative "[M]akes and important, timely, and insightful contribution to the literature on the economics of globalization. Dowlah's careful scholarship leads us into consideration of the significance of transitions and transactions between developed, developing, and under developed countries--and why we need to be concerned with understanding what the term "developed" means."-Robert F. Duvall, Ph.D. President & Chief Executive Officer The National Council on Economic Education "This volume provides an unusually good analysis of the particular elements of globalization in general and the global trade regime in particular that are biased against the interests of the world's least developed countries. Many books have been published that look at globalization from the "bottom up," but few authors present such detailed and informed analysis as does Dowlah....[t]his is a thoughtful contribution to the globalization debate and a very useful introduction to the particular trade issues affecting the least developed countries. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduate through faculty collections."-Choice ?[W]hat really makes me recommend the book is the queries it raises ... as to what should be the real nature of global trade governance ... These are refreshing questions, which demand greater attention by all who want to make poverty history and see a fairer world emerge.?-Development Policy Review ?This volume provides an unusually good analysis of the particular elements of globalization in general and the global trade regime in particular that are biased against the interests of the world's least developed countries. Many books have been published that look at globalization from the "bottom up," but few authors present such detailed and informed analysis as does Dowlah....[t]his is a thoughtful contribution to the globalization debate and a very useful introduction to the particular trade issues affecting the least developed countries. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduate through faculty collections.?-Choice "ÝW¨hat really makes me recommend the book is the queries it raises ... as to what should be the real nature of global trade governance ... These are refreshing questions, which demand greater attention by all who want to make poverty history and see a fairer world emerge."-Development Policy Review "[W]hat really makes me recommend the book is the queries it raises ... as to what should be the real nature of global trade governance ... These are refreshing questions, which demand greater attention by all who want to make poverty history and see a fairer world emerge."-Development Policy Review