Customer Reviews

People Before Profit: The New Globalization in an Age of Terror, Big Money, and Economic Crisis

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With many books recently written on the topic of globalization it is encouraging to find one that brings out new significant aspects. PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT does this in a way that places it in the top range of my recommended books. In addition to providing a wealth of important reflections and very useful facts, Derber covers the complex topics surrounding globalization in a clear and very accessible style. By placing himself inside the circumstances and arguments he addresses his readers directly, fostering ongoing reflection and dialogue.

Derber examines the various uses and misuses of the term "globalization" that "globalizers" and "anti-globalizers" are claiming for their own ends. He cuts through the ideologies and myths by probing the concept within its historical context - reminding us that globalization and its driving force, "empire building", have been around for thousands of years. All ancient globalization systems were based on the exploitative relationship between a "core" and the "periphery". The net wealth flowed from the periphery (natural resources, cheap labour) to the core (skilled labour, technology) resulting in an ever-increasing gap between the rich core and the poor periphery.

Derber compares such uneven co-dependent power relationships to a dysfunctional marriage where the powerful partner can leave or bullies the other into submission. The win-win myth of globalization is in fact a "race to the bottom" where the corporations alone have the "exit power". He emphasizes parallels between early US history and the ambitions of recent US administrations. While confined in those days to one country, the concept of globalization can be applied to the American "Robber Barons" then just as much as to the US power brokers of big corporations today. Derber contends their desire to expand economic power and political influence is dependent on the ever-increasing gap between rich and poor. "Free trade" is a misnomer in the context of unequal power relationships between the rich North and the developing countries of the South. In Derber's comparison today's billions of poor in Southern countries have taken the place of the exploited impoverished workforce during the "Gilded Age", underpinning his arguments with many pertinent examples. Yet, his main objective is to motivate all participants in the "globalization game" to learn important lessons from the past. His fundamental precept is that we must "reinvent globalization to create a safe, democratic and economically secure world".

He challenges the narrow economic perspective of corporate leaders, arguing that globalization without democratization will fail sooner rather than later. Insisting that the political, social and cultural aspects of a globalized world have to be given equal prominence, he dissects the world economic and trading systems, such as the WTO, IMF and the World Bank. He emphasizes the importance of the "positive rights" of the UN system (right to food, shelter, work, etc.). These issues, he stresses, are of utmost importance in a fairer globalized world. He deplores the refusal of US administrations to adhere to existing international legal instruments. At the same time, he examines the "antiglobalization" movements differentiating between the "UN camp" and the "barbershoppers", the latter concerned only with the local community. Derber argues strongly that the localists and the globalists have to come together into a network of global justice movements that recognize that real democracy at one level cannot be sustained without democracy at all levels. He challenges his critics who have called him an idealist or similar with clear arguments, reporting on positive trends in intergovernmental trade debates as well as the democratization processes that have emerged since the Seattle demonstrations.

Derber elaborated four principles for a "global New Deal" designed to bring democratic control to the global system and to establish fair economic and trade relationships. One pre-requisite is the dismantling of the Bretton Wood institutions, i.e. the IMF, WTO and World Bank, which he sees as a major culprit for the current unfair global trading system. Real participation of people and accountability to civil society represent other crucial components of his vision. Finally, the "global security" we all want and need, whether citizen or transnational corporation, cannot be achieved without tackling the extreme rich-poor divide in this world. Derber concludes PEOPLE BEFORE POWER with a series of concrete action recommendations for his readers. Read this book, whatever perspective you have on globalization. It might provide you with new insights and understanding of the challenges ahead. [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]

Charles Derber's message is one we should all take to heart. He doesn't demonize globalization but thinks that its shortcomings can be redirected in a more positive manner. Unregulated capitalism may create wealth but at the expense of our environment and the rights of workers everywhere. He points out that the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO are dominated by the United States for the most part and are not democratic in nature. Most of their proceedings are in secret and do not take into account the input of the Third World and the billions of poor in the world. When people don't have an opportunity to express their ideas, this creates great frustration and hopelessness which makes them open to recruitment from terrorist organizations and violent movements. It is in the best interest of us all to foster an open society with opportunities for all to participate.

If you have time for only one book on globalization this is the one to pick. I heard Charles Derber on a radio program and was surprised at the volume of calls he generated discussing his book "People Before Profit". Political skeptic that I am, I had some doubts about buying the book but my piqued curiosity took over. Two hundred pages later my conversion was almost complete.
"People Before Profit" takes us inside the globalization phenomenon and shows that it is not as "win-win" as portrayed by its advocates. Most of us are likely to find ourselves among losers-in more ways that you might think. Deeply moving stories of those who already lost in this brave new globalized world confer a distinction on this work that is lacking in other accounts. Nor is globalization as spontaneous and self-propelling as it is billed. Derber shows how globalization's realities grow out of policies, rules, and laws that are devised by a small group of "experts" to promote explicit corporate interests. The chapter on WTO is especially revealing. Another myth is the unique and modern nature of globalization, and the chapter on its history and its "ghosts" debunks that myth in a most elegant and entertaining way.
But Derber's mission is not just to forewarn us of the dangerous trends inherent in the current perverse form of globalization but also draft an inspiring program that could turn things around. The last chapter is a wake-up call for all of us.
The book is a real gem-the best gift you can give to friends and family.

If you have time for only one book on globalization this is the one to pick. I heard Charles Derber on a radio program and was surprised at the volume of calls he generated discussing his book "People Before Profit". Political skeptic that I am, I had some doubts about buying the book but my piqued curiosity took over. Two hundred pages later my conversion was almost complete.
"People Before Profit" takes us inside the globalization phenomenon and shows that it is not as "win-win" as portrayed by its advocates. Most of us are likely to find ourselves among losers-in more ways that you might think. Deeply moving stories of those who already lost in this brave new globalized world confer a distinction on this work that is lacking in other accounts. Nor is globalization as spontaneous and self-propelling as it is billed. Derber shows how globalization's realities grow out of policies, rules, and laws that are devised by a small group of "experts" to promote explicit corporate interests. The chapter on WTO is especially revealing. Another myth is the unique and modern nature of globalization, and the chapter on its history and its "ghosts" debunks that myth in a most elegant and entertaining way.
But Derber's mission is not just to forewarn us of the dangerous trends inherent in the current perverse form of globalization but also draft an inspiring program that could turn things around. The last chapter is a wake-up call for all of us.
The book is a real gem-the best gift you can give to friends and family.

This book was awesome. I read it as an assignment for a class in the midst of writing my undergraduate thesis, and it ended up shaping the entire direction of the paper. Derber offers an explanation of problems many have already recognized but seemed to be unsolvable. He specifically addresses the feeling that these problems are vague and just sort of "the way things are," and after reading this book, it is evident where specifically the problem is and what can be done. He also makes an effort to explain his points in terms anyone could understand, whether they have a background in sociology or not.

Charles Derber is an incredibly thoughtful critic of the role of corporations in a globablizing world. His earlier book, Corporation Nation, was a real eye-opener. Now, in People Before Profit, he continues to profoundly illuminate how corporations are shaping the newly emerging global economy. His call for global democracy is well-founded and, best of all, accompanied by concrete proposals for its achievement. If you want to understand how a new world order is being shaped by corporate driven globalization, this is easily the single best book to read. Once you've finished the book become part of the solution. Tell your family and friends to read it!

The full title might be a more helpful description than anything I can write . . . People Before Profit, The New Globalization in an Age of Terror, Big Money, and Economic Crisis. The book is basically a description of globalization, i.e. profit at all costs in a capitalist colonialism, and it's obvious and not so obvious problems. A lot of time is spent discussing how what happens in the West (and the States in particular) effect those in the third worlds. Essentially describing how top heavy on consumption we are and how that creates fault lines that splinter in other places of the world. As far as a primer on globalization and how our consumption patterns effect others, I couldn't recommend a better book. It's extremely easy to read. And isn't just doom and gloom, but actually very hopeful in the assessment. Although I am a bit more skeptical about us being able to put into practice what he proposes as the solution.

Derber's book is so accessible and straightforward. His ideas are controversial, and they make sense. His gives a practical way to look at a rather complex issue.

I could easily believe that two authors wrote this book, interweaving their messages.

One Derber seems to be a "nice" free trade advocate, who observes that, if Buddha or Jesus were somehow given the chance, "most people would come to the conclusion the even Buddha and Jesus would likely fail to change corporate policy" to press for maximum return (even at the expense of 14+ hour days for some workers in the world, conveniently allowing that to be government, and not businesses, job).

Another Derber appears to support an corporate antiviolence agenda to "respect the rights of workers to freely associate and organize." Crushing unions seems awful to this Derber, although the business-friendly Derber seemed to insist even Jesus or Buddha would agree the business should crush such unions.

I may have read thru this book too quickly, but just as certainly I have no interest in going back to see what I may have missed. Back cover praise from Chomsky and Nader may not be as hard to acquire as one may think, when the writing is for a generally good cause. I'd suggest reading the 13 page epilogue which has some practical and challenging advice that I did find of substance.

The author writes well and the book is an enjoyable read. However. his ideas of what the problems are and possible solutions show a lack of any economics or business experience. He wants to see more democracy in the world, but he sees American influence as a bad thing - causing frustration and envy among the world's poor. Even though he steps carefully its clear 9/11, in his opinion, is mostly our own fault. He really doesn't like America you start to suspect. Poverty is a bad thing and spreading. Globalization is also a bad thing. It brings jobs, but this kind of work is exploitive. You might jump to the conclusion that more exposure to a very successful economic and political system, like ours, together with better regulation on companies producing abroad (to the extent practicable since local political systems are struggling too) would be at least part of the solution. No. No. He has 25 "thoughts" on what to do to solve world's problems. #1 Be self-reflective #4 Travel. This is the fun part. #6 Be a global feminist. #11 Support a strong UN. #18 Speak out against US intervention and unilateralism.

Actually, "#2 Educate yourself" is his best advice, because you won't get much of substance from this book.