Field Guide to the Global Economy [Paperback]

Sarah Anderson (Author), John Cavanagh (Author), Institute for Policy Studies (Author), Thea Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

An eye-opening, at-a-glance guide to the myths and realities of the international economy. Highly illustrated with charts, graphs, and political cartoons, The Field Guide to the Global Economy makes the international economy comprehensible for everyone and reveals the harmful effects of corporate-driven globalization. Published in conjunction with the Institute of Policy Studies, a Washington, D.C., independent center for research and education, this guide describes how the global flow of goods and services, money, and people affects communities, workers, the poor, and the environment. Accessible and engaging, The Field Guide to the Global Economy covers what's new about the global economy and who is driving globalization. It also offers an extensive survey of the efforts of workers, shareholders, voters, consumers, students, and artists around the world who are responding to the negative impacts of globalization. The latest in The New Press's highly successful popular guides to economics including The New Field Guide to the U.S. Economy, War on the Poor, and Social Stratification, The Field Guide to the Global Economy will appeal to everyone puzzling over the structure and meaning of the international economy.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is a position statement "to enhance solidarity for people sharing a vision of justice and democracy" that is decidedly antibusiness and anti^-free markets. It fuels what the authors contend is growing speculation that corporate-driven globalization, in its quest for stockholder value, hinders the welfare of the majority of people around the world. Although valid points are made, the spin put on them, as well as errors or misleading details, prompts skepticism; the authors do not attempt a balanced view. However, they offer a history and status of global flows of goods and services, giving their explanation of the current form of globalization. They examine 10 common claims of the pro-globalization camp with their rebuttal and describe the major institutions and policies driving globalization. They conclude by highlighting efforts to slow down or change globalization. Although this book presents a negative account of globalization, these voices may have something to teach. Yet read this book with care. Mary Whaley

Review

This book offers a clear map. Read it, learn, and engage. -- William Greider, author of One World, Ready Or Not

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: New Press (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565844211
• ISBN-13: 978-1565844216
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Yet Incomplete Presentation, November 27, 2005

By 

BookWormJDC (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Field Guide to the Global Economy, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Quite an interesting read, containing lots of facts that could affect your life (which job categories are most at risk for outsourcing overseas, how Wal-Mart treats its employees badly and taxpayers suffer the consequences, disgustingly excessive pay for CEOs, the invasion of unregulated genetically modified food, ...). Many of the facts are eye-opening and I certainly moderated my personal pro-business views.

Unfotrunately, the book is introductory (almost to a fault) as you can guess from the fact that the jacket brags about the book's cartoons. It is extremely one-sided, and its blatant pro-union propaganda can be annoying. Facts and statistics are presented but I got the feeling that many of the book's arguments could be undermined if the "whole story" were revealed (simply throwing in a citation should not take the place of complete presentation within the text). Finally, there are many completely unsupported statements of opinion inappropriately stuck into otherwise fact-based paragraphs, giving these opinions apparent legitimacy.

Despite its shortcomings, this is an interesting book, and presents an easy way to learn about the World Bank and the IMF as (probably) seen by Third World people. After reading, I agree that the corporate-driven globalization we are now experiencing is flawed, but some of the alternatives promoted by this book (blanket amnesty to illegal aliens, total cancellation of poor-country debt, weakened protection of intellectual property rights, ...) appear equally ill-considered.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The latest facts key to helping students and general audiences understand the elements of the changing international economy, November 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Field Guide to the Global Economy, Revised Edition (Paperback)

The updated, expanded new edition of the Field Guide To The Global Economy presents the latest facts key to helping students and general audiences understand the elements of the changing international economy, and is a 'must' for any who would keep up with change. Charts, graphs and cartoons aid in understanding the latest trends, from the outsourcing of US jobs to the influence of big chains around the world. To add authority, this is published in conjunction with the Institute for policy Studies based in Washington DC and explains how global institutions affect not just monetary policies, but social and economic situations around the world.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To the point, December 11, 2000

By 

Joel Bennett (Skokie, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to the Global Economy (Paperback)

A group in our high school had been planning a symposium on the global economy when our advisor suggested that we take a look at this book. "Field Guide" offers a clear, concise description of many of the global issues that confront citizens of both the industrialized and unindustrialized nations. To its credit, it offers both the pros and cons of many of the issues it discusses and offers a resource list for others to get involved. I encourage anyone interested global politics or economics to read this book, share it with a friend, and get involved!