The Big Ten: The Big Emerging Markets And How They Will Change Our Lives [Hardcover]

Jeffrey E. Garten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

A dramatic transformation of global power is under way, one only dimly recognized by most Americans. As economics and trade now loom larger than nuclear stockpiles or Cold War ideology, those countries with the fastest growing economies have begun to rewrite the rules of power and influence in the world. These nations are the Big Emerging Markets, and for too long we have failed to recognize their importance. We can no longer afford that luxury.The Big Ten is the essential guide to the ten most important Big Emerging Markets. Jeffrey E. Garten, the Dean of the Yale School of Management and the former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, explains who they are, why they have burst onto the world scene, and how they will reshape the world in the twenty-first century. The ten countries to watch are spread across the globe: Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina in the Americas; China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea in Asia; Poland and Turkey in Europe; and in Africa, South Africa. The Big Ten are bigger than most people realize: they are home to half the world’s population, and the United States exports more products to these countries than to Europe and Japan combined. They also wield immense political influence in many of the world’s most critical regions. Moreover, American industrial firms, mutual funds, and pension plans have begun to invest heavily in these dynamic economies, making our own prosperity increasingly dependent on theirs.While the Big Ten offer new opportunities for the United States, Garten observes their potential political instability could create economic havoc around the world. In addition, they pose powerful ethical and strategic dilemmas. The BEMs do not share our values regarding human rights, child labor, corruption, or environmental degradation, and our growing contacts with these societies are sure to violate our notions of fairness and our moral sensibilities. And as the Big Ten grow and mature as regional powers, they will pose unprecedented challenges to American global leadership.Drawing on his first-hand experiences at the highest levels of government, finance, and academia, Garten advances a comprehensive plan for America to meet the challenges of this emerging new world. he addresses the critical questions facing American policy makers, business executives, educators, and concerned citizens, and he outlines the bold changes that will be necessary if we are to control our national destiny in the decades to come. The Big Ten will help readers understand the importance of NAFTA, the rise of China, the connection between trade and human rights, and the imperatives for American foreign policy, business, and higher education. Packed with powerful insights and real-life stories from the front lines of international commerce, The Big Ten will redefine the way we think about America’s global role in the twenty-first century.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jeffrey E. Garten has glimpsed the future of the world economy, and his vision has ten faces: China, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey. Garten predicts these emerging markets will soon be viable economic and political forces, citing their abundant natural resources and recent embrace of free-market economies as key indicators of their potential. In an increasingly global economy, what is good for one theoretically can be good for all, particularly when new markets mean new jobs for both the importing and exporting countries. Not all of the sharing is positive, however; Garten believes this global economic expansion will bring about the rise of terrorism and a growing market for nuclear weapons. Issues such as human rights and governmental regulations further muddy the economic and political waters, making cooperation between nations often impossible. Despite its bold predictions, The Big Ten expands our view of international commerce by dividing the global market into more manageable portions.

From Booklist

Garten is now dean of the School of Management at Yale University, but his book is based on more practical experience resulting from his stint as undersecretary of commerce for international trade during President Clinton's first administration. At the Department of Commerce, Garten was credited with shaping trade relations with big and emerging markets (BEMs), and here he elaborates on the lessons he learned then. He argues that this nation's future competitive challenge will not come from established superpowers but from the 10 largest BEMs: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, India, and China. Rather than profile each of these countries individually, Garten considers the combined effect of our "economic engagement" with them. Noting the policy implications of the potential clash of values over issues of labor, the environment, and human rights, Garten calls for the U.S. to be prepared to practice "commercial diplomacy" with each one of the Big Ten. David Rouse

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465026516
• ISBN-13: 978-0465026517
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,506,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok but flawed, September 10, 2008

By 

Adam Gould (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big Ten: The Big Emerging Markets And How They Will Change Our Lives (Paperback)

While thought proking, Mr. Garten has seemingly done quite a bit of thorough research but his end conclusions are rather biased and without merit. By forgetting our own nation, his view points for the future make rather little sense and his viewpoints stem from a anging liberal who clearly doesn't understand current economic policy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start, October 12, 2003

By 

Bibliophile - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Ten: The Big Emerging Markets And How They Will Change Our Lives (Hardcover)

It now looks like there are really only two, maybe three at most, success stories among Garten's Top Ten choices: China, South Korea, and possibly India. Mr. Garten's next edition should focus on these.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking vision of the future world economy., October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Ten: The Big Emerging Markets And How They Will Change Our Lives (Paperback)

This is an excellent publication to read as you are putting together your future export marketing programs. It will provide you with fresh ideas on how to develop your most profitable foreign markets. It is primarily based upon Mr. Garten's experience as Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade during the first Clinton Administration. Although there is a definite political slant to its content, I recommend this book for all entrepreneurs and international trade executives who are responsible for establishing export strategies, forecasts and budgets.