The Inevitable Force

The Inevitable Force

Globalization

Globalization is often described as an inevitable force that, depending on your perspective, will either benefit or destroy the planet. Much of the controversy surrounding globalization—such as trade agreements, currency reserves, the Kyoto Protocol, and intellectual property rights—involve issues that may be either unfamiliar or obscure. Many may find these topics difficult to grasp. Yet, as Professor Stiglitz explains, these concepts can be made readily accessible, as they are important to furthering our understanding in making globalization work for all.

In his latest book, Professor Stiglitz offers an imaginative and bold new prescription for global equality, one which he argues will result in a fairer world. He is concerned that globalization has not benefited as many people as it could and should have. Accordingly, he outlines what needs to be done to make this process work for the poor and for developing countries. He tells us why changes are needed in government policies, in world economic institutions, in the rules of the game, and in the general mindsets of the public at large.

Professor Stiglitz knows that development is complex. He has seen how the "one size fits all" solution does not work for everyone. Yet, he also understands that there are common principles, which, if suitably adapted, will be effective in helping those in need.

Joseph Stiglitz is one of the most prominent and controversial economists of our time. He chaired U.S. President Bill Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers and was the Chief Economist at the World Bank. Both these appointments gave him a front-row seat for seeing how the real world works and for understanding the problems of globalization. Both of these positions enabled him to gather information on which he based this book, which in many ways is a sequel to his earlier publication, Globalization and its Discontents, which was an analysis of how international organizations affect policy and the...

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