Book review: New book explores hopes, challenges for cities, business from six decades of globalization

Globalization has given us the most remarkable 60 years of economic growth in world history.

It is a process that has lifted hundreds of millions worldwide out of extreme poverty, and has helped raise life expectancy and literacy rates.

However, the rate at which economies have globalized and integrated is not congruent with that of international institutions and their processes.

Extreme inequality, corruption and environmental degradation threaten the stability and legitimacy of many developing countries.

These factors - combined with the growing confidence of anti-globalization campaigners, particularly during the current economic crisis - have given rise to protectionist rhetoric about market control and regulation.

How did we get to this position, and how should we move forward?

Mike Moore, former director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and former prime minister of New Zealand, has written a book entitled Saving Globalization: Why Globalization and Democracy Offer the Best Hope for Progress, Peace and Development.

Moore's book traces the development of what he considers "the big ideas of history: democracy, independent courts, the separation of church and state, property rights, a professional civil service and civil society".

Drawing insights from his experience at the WTO, as well as in New Zealand's political office, Moore offers a provocative account of globalization.

The author analyzes capitalism from the period of the Greeks to the Geeks, and offers a new approach to the creation of a new international architecture that would promote equity and fairness.

Saving Globalization celebrates the achievements of global trade, and argues that a global future should be faced, not feared.

This book is a thought-provoking read for students of the global economy.

Book name: Saving Globalization: Why Globalization and Democracy offer the Best Hope for Progress, Peace and Development

Author: Mike Moore

ISBN: 978-0-470-82503-7

Price: $29.95; 320 pages

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd

(China Daily 12/14/2009 page8)