The WTO: Five Years of Reasons to Resist Corporate Globalization (Open Media Series) [Paperback]

Lori Wallach (Author), Michelle Sforza (Author), Ralph Nader (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1583220356 | ISBN-13: 978-1583220351 | Publication Date: December 7, 1999

In this groundbreaking pamphlet, directors of Ralph Nader's Public Citizen group examine the first five years of the World Trade Organization's track record, demonstrating how the WTO aims to create a new global economic system that increases corporate profit with little regard for social and ecological impacts, or democratically enacted law. Wallach and Sforza make clear recommendations for altering the undemocratic course that the WTO imposes on democratic society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LORI WALLACH was dubbed "Ralph Nader with a sense of humor" by the Wall Street Journal and "the trade debate’s guerilla warrior" by the National Journal. She is a cofounder of the Citizen’s Trade Campaign, a national coalition representing over 11 million Americans.
An expert on trade policy and international commercial agreements, MICHELLE SFORZA’s articles have appeared in the Nation, the Ecologist, and the Multinational Monitor, among other publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press (December 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583220356
• ISBN-13: 978-1583220351
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.2 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Economics > International
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Economics > Economic Policy & Development
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > United States > 20th Century

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, informative, and essential, April 21, 2000

By 

John Caruso (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The WTO: Five Years of Reasons to Resist Corporate Globalization (Open Media Series) (Paperback)

This is a concise, informative book which provides an excellent overview of the major issues raised by the WTO (and similar organizations, present and future). Specific examples are provided to illustrate exactly why the WTO is so damaging in the areas of public health, food safety, the environment, the advancement of underdeveloped nations, labor and human rights, and many others. The authors have a strong case and they basically let the (well-documented) facts speak for themselves; if anything, they're surprisingly restrained in their evaluation.

Economic issues aren't particularly sexy, of course, and I had expected this book to be dry. It was anything but. It's a brisk read, and it packs the maximum amount of useful information into its relatively few pages. If you were confused by the protests in Seattle and Washington and want to know what those people were REALLY shouting about--something you're certainly never going to get from CNN and friends--read this book. It's an essential guide to what are fast becoming the key issues of our time.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy And Learn, January 22, 2001

By 

The Orange Duke "orangeduke" (Cupertino, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The WTO: Five Years of Reasons to Resist Corporate Globalization (Open Media Series) (Paperback)

This brief, well thought out and detailed criticism of the WTO is very readable. Points out that the WTO, an unelected irresponsible body has been placed above the world's governments and given the power to nullify the laws enacted by those governments. Shows how the WTO has allowed corporations to circumvent the limitations placed upon them by government. Provides specific examples of how the WTO is systematically undermining responsible market practices. Should be read critically by those on the left and the right. If we continue on this road, we will despoil our environment, destroy representative government and enslave our people. The question here is not free trade verses no trade, as the apologists for the corporate state would have us believe, but rather who will benefit from our trade policies. The WTO is a tool of the biggest multinationals, and represents their interests alone, over everyone else. Buy it.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise must read, August 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The WTO: Five Years of Reasons to Resist Corporate Globalization (Open Media Series) (Paperback)

Everybody thinks they understand "free trade" but nobody bothers to investigate what the WTO does; which is make life more profitable for corporations at the expense of citizens around the world. Ms. Wallach is a brilliant writer/investigator who explains what the WTO is doing to our environment, health and labor rights; not very good things I might add. I believe in free trade as long as it is fair trade. I believe Ms. Wallach does too, although the corporate lackey's try and label her as "anti-trade". This is a quick read - buy it and become informed.