jammir said:

“This is a brilliant book. It is written for a non-specialist audience but academic that he is Bhagwati's writing style is ponderous. Parts of this book I found you had to study - i.e read more than once - rather than read. But those who do will be richly rewarded by a set of intricate and cleverly presented arguments against all the opposition to trade globalisation.

Bhagwati is critical too of rich countries who muddy the waters of trade negotiations with spurious and specious concern for third world labour standards or environmental concerns.

Of course this book will not silence all the critics. Die hard anti-globalisers even Bhagwati admits there is no point in engaging in debate, but even more moderate critics of globalisation will find examples of the harmful effects of globalisation. But the net effect of globalisation - and this is the central point of the book - is beneficial for everyone. And the correct policy response therefore not to stop globalisation or reverse it, but to take steps to mitigate against the worst downsides.

”

posted Tuesday, October 23 2007