Tribes: How Race, Religion and Identity Determine Success in the New Global Economy [Paperback]

Joel Kotkin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 5, 1994

This explosive and controversial examination of business, history, and ethnicity shows how "global tribes" have shaped the world's economy in the past--and how they will dominate its future.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kotkin relates tribal values to economic prosperity in this analysis of ethnicity and the global economy.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Francis Fukuyama, move over. The theory of individualism as the prime motivator in a new world system is being challenged. Kotkin, an economic reporter and coauthor of The Third Century (Crown, 1988) here offers a different paradigm for the future of the global economy, asserting that ethnic solidarity has been and will continue to be an important force in world business. Kotkin focuses on five groups: Jewish, British, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. In trying to explain the material success of these particular "tribes," he emphasizes historical patterns common to them all: a strong ethnic identity that allows the group to undergo economic and political changes without loss of essential unity; a global network based on mutual trust and communal self-help; and an open-minded approach to the adoption of scientific and technological innovations. On this basis, he argues that potentially powerful economic groups of the future may include Palestinians and Armenians. Ethnic stereotyping is dangerous territory, and Kotkin jumps headlong into the controversial minefield. Highly recommended for all libraries. See also Lawrence Harrison's Who Prospers? How Cultural Values Shape Economic and Political Success , LJ 7/92.--Ed.
- Ruth M. Mara, U.S. Information Agency, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Random House (April 5, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679752994
• ISBN-13: 978-0679752998
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joel Kotkin is an internationally recognized authority on global economic, political, social, and technological trends. He is the author of six books, including The City: A Global History and The New Geography: How the Digital Revolution Is Reshaping the American Landscape. He writes a column for Forbes and Politico.com and contributes regularly to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsweek, and The Washington Post.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book on the dynamic link between culture and wealth December 5, 2001

By "mihirpshah"

Format:Paperback

This is a great book that has a keen and insightful look into how certain cultures and ethnic groups rise to prominence in a global economy. The author focuses on five "Tribes": the Jews, the British, the Japanese, the Chinese, and the Indians. Kotkin is always fair, objective, and intelligent when it comes to explaining how and why these groups have developed the "cultural capital" to attain disproportionate economic success.

Kotkin lays out his work in an excellent chronological manner, which strongly demonstrates the dynamic nature on how these groups rose economically over the course of history and time. He also notes differences between the groups and some problems within them, such as pointing out the more centralized and "engineered" rise of the Japanese "Tribe", or the decline of the British work ethic.

Kotkin then neatly follows these 5 groups with a discussion on what he perceives as "future Tribes" rising in economic success and wealth, such as Mormons and Palestinians (who are by far the most educated, entrepreneurial, and enterprising people in the Arab world; just look at the pre-1991 Kuwaiti economy). This dynamist and forward-looking perspective cements Kotkins narrative being very progressive and non-prejudiced.

Although, as mentioned, Kotkin is extremely fair and objective, it is important to point out that he does come from a certain perspective, namely a kind of neoliberal and neolibertarian outlook that places a strong emphasis on cultural dynamism (i.e., cultures as organic and evolving, rather than having determined, static boundaries). I happen to greatly agree with this perspective, which is probably why I personally like the book so much.

If there is one minor shortcoming of this book, it would be that Kotkin did not fully explore the dark side of disproportionate economic success in an ethnic group. There is the external dark side, namely the envy, jealousy, oppression, and even genocide faced by economically successful cultural groups, especially when they are a politically weak minority. History is replete with these stories, whether they be Indians in East Africa, Chinese in Southeast Asia, or Jews in Europe. There is also the internal dark side, whereby the economic success in an ethnic group may lead to a suffocation of individual lifestyle and cultural choices (i.e., pressure to conform) and a condescending if not bigoted view of other cultures, especially the majority cultures in ones they're living. These themes are further explored in several books by conservative author Thomas Sowell.

Overall, however, the book is a wonderful primer on this "ethno-economic" phenomenon. Any one who has ever asked the question "Why are all the nail salons 'controlled' by Vietnamese?" must read this book.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Cosmopolitan Perspective on Business and Culture May 6, 1998

By D. Millar

Format:Paperback

"Tribes", by Joel Kotkin (1992 Random House) This book is necessary reading for anyone interested in learning in depth about the increasingly multicultural aspects of modern business, leadership and education. Kotkin shares a thorough and thoroughly researched understanding of the origins and growth of "Global Tribes". He discusses the history and economic impact of the diaspora cultures of the Jews, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and British.

Where many futurist authors talk about a "Post-Modern era", Kotkin frames the future as "Post Cold-War". He states that increasingly ethnic identities will determine the primary sphere of social and economic identity, and not current political identities. In the Epilogue he talks about Cosmopolis, a world dominated by cosmopolitan centers with multiethnic identities, rather than a world dominated by political identities. He ties this idea of the economic power and multicultural complexity of future cosmopolitan cities to the rise and eventual domination of great cosmopolitan cities of the past such as Alexandria, Canton, London, Rome, and others. While this is his conclusion, the bulk of the book is a very cosmopolitan discussion of the economic and social impact of the growth of five Global Tribes, and the changes that have, and will, come with them. Each culture has in common that they are largely disconnected from the culture they find themselves in, have a strong ethnic identity "a vocation of uniqueness", a strong work ethic, and a theology that allows them to work pragmatically in the business community. Of particular interest was his discussion about the rise, near decline, and limitations of the Japanese "diaspora by design". His discussion is neither prejudiced nor chauvinist, but centered on a thorough understanding of Japanese history and the perspective. For that reason alone, the book is worth reading. Other minor players in the Cosmopolis, such as Jains and Mormons, are also discusse! d. It is refreshing to read a well-researched book on global economic and political patterns that is not coloured by an American centered understanding of world developments. If one is going to consider business or leadership interactions outside of an Anglo-American perspective, there is much to think about here.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Globalization and Tribes - Interesting Relationship March 8, 2007

By Le Q

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great book for those who have always wondered why there are Chinese restaurants all over the world and the presence of synagogues in even the most odd of places. Describes the relationships of cultural groups such as the Chinese, Jews, Indians, Arabs, etc. across the globe and how they work together and rely on one another even though they are spread all over the planet.