Globalization's Other Side: the Negative Impacts on Poverty and the Environment
Critiquing Jagdish Bhagwati's Interpretation of the Social Impact of
Economic Globalization
Date Submitted: November 19, 2004
There have been countless numbers of books and papers written on the controversial topic that is globalization, and it seems every author or activist has their own arguments against or in support of the liberalization of trade and the social impact of economic globalization.
However, in regards to the novel In Defense of Globalization, there is no doubt on which side its author Jagdish Bhagwati stands on the issue. Being one of the leading authorities on globalization and a professor at Columbia
University, Bhagwati not only argues his case in support for globalization, but also instinctively leaps to its defense, hence the title. It is worth noting that this book addresses the issue of economic globalization and not globalization as a whole. The main thesis and reoccurring central idea in this book argues: Although globalization, in respect to the liberalization of trade and global economic integration inherently contains flaws, overall it is beneficial.
Throughout the book, Bhagwati systematically addresses each claim and argument, separated by chapters, raised by the many critics of globalization. The first relevant issue brought forth is the sudden upsurge and rise in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in which Bhagwati claims, "globalization today owe their salience, shape and content" to this trend. In response to the portion of NGOs that are anti-globalization, he defends globalization by attacking the critics and attempting to undermine their credibility by singling out the weak organizations and picking at their flaws.
Bhagwati argues many more issues in his book regarding the social impact of economic globalization as he tackles each chapter one after another including: the reduction of poverty and the abuse of child labor, the promotion of women's rights, the enrichment of culture, and even
Economic Globalization
Date Submitted: November 19, 2004
There have been countless numbers of books and papers written on the controversial topic that is globalization, and it seems every author or activist has their own arguments against or in support of the liberalization of trade and the social impact of economic globalization.
However, in regards to the novel In Defense of Globalization, there is no doubt on which side its author Jagdish Bhagwati stands on the issue. Being one of the leading authorities on globalization and a professor at Columbia
University, Bhagwati not only argues his case in support for globalization, but also instinctively leaps to its defense, hence the title. It is worth noting that this book addresses the issue of economic globalization and not globalization as a whole. The main thesis and reoccurring central idea in this book argues: Although globalization, in respect to the liberalization of trade and global economic integration inherently contains flaws, overall it is beneficial.
Throughout the book, Bhagwati systematically addresses each claim and argument, separated by chapters, raised by the many critics of globalization. The first relevant issue brought forth is the sudden upsurge and rise in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in which Bhagwati claims, "globalization today owe their salience, shape and content" to this trend. In response to the portion of NGOs that are anti-globalization, he defends globalization by attacking the critics and attempting to undermine their credibility by singling out the weak organizations and picking at their flaws.
Bhagwati argues many more issues in his book regarding the social impact of economic globalization as he tackles each chapter one after another including: the reduction of poverty and the abuse of child labor, the promotion of women's rights, the enrichment of culture, and even