When we talk about globalization, specifically economic globalization, we tend to refer to the Washington consensus and the policy recommendations that it has highlighted such as liberalization, deregulation, privatization, property rights, etc., which sets the platform for the globalised economy. And, institutions such as IMF and World Bank make sure that the policies get implemented. The real essence of globalization is the creation of a level playing field for every country. But, the real question is whether these policies and institutions have been able to create the so called level playing field for economic growth and development, or not?

Hence, in this book, Joseph Stiglitz questions that notion of globalization as a level playing field and criticizes the policies as well as the institutions which are the implementers of such policies. He argues that instead of creating global economic stability, these institutions have contributed in destabilizing the poor countries and enriching the rich countries. In the book, the author highlights the flaws and hypocrisies attached with the policies of trade liberalization, patents, environmental concerns, multinational corporations, debts and exchange mechanisms; and put forward his ideas of reforms to really make globalization work. To highlight his essence in one sentence, as Stiglitz puts it “The challenge in making globalization work is to universalize the concerns and to democratize the procedures”.

What I love about the book and the writer is the fact that even though Stiglitz was part of US government and worked in World Bank, he severely criticizes the Americanization of globalization. Having said that, I also see this book as the writer’s imaginative vision of the utopian world of economic globalization where rich countries help out the poor countries without any hidden agendas and everyone is happy. It seems practically impossible because economy is a zero sum game where one wins while the other loses.

Nevertheless, I recommend this book because it makes you understand economic globalization as a whole and the real politics behind the economic globalization in the present scenario. Give it a go and surely it would be worth your time.

It makes an interesting read to analyze globalization from various parameters such as trade, intellectual property, exploration of natural resources, governance, etc. While the book details on most of these aspects with anecdotes and explicitly states facts to corroborate the theory, I disagree with the "prize fund" mechanism subscribed as an alternative to the current intellectual property regieme (chapter 4). A sense of optimism prevails all throught the book.

This is the book on development I've been waiting for. Stiglitz's theory of incomplete information brings economic theory closer to reality and explains in part why top down large scale development has had little success.

Clear and concise, with very little jargon. Primarily focuses on shifting the focus of globalization efforts (as well as the power to encourage globalization) from the hands of wealthy, developed nations to the developing nations. Not exactly a pleasure read, but if you're interested in the topic, I'd recommend it.

This is an important book to read which provides good information about our globalized work. there is some critical thinking but on the whole it was not as thought provoking as i have hoped for. i was looking for some innovative idea to actually make globalization work, there were some examples but nothing revolutionary as i hoped for.

Stiglitz outlines what he thinks is wrong with the current world trading regime. He makes some interesting and valid points, especially regarding the hypocrisy of US agricultural subsidies, but glosses over some of the difficulties that would likely come with trying to implement some of his recommendations.

Dari tulisan Stiglitz ini kita bisa belajar, untuk tidak sekedar mengkritik, tetapi juga disertai dengan solusi-solusi konkrit, meski sudah seharusnya agar kita tidak terjebak dengan pernyataan yang bernada solutif, sebab kritik itu penting.

While I did not read this entire book, I just skimmed through for what I needed for my report, it was not completely awful. Some parts were boring, but other parts were actually fairly interesting as it has to do with real world issues that I didn't know much about. Maybe one day I will try to read it in its entirety, maybe...

It was kind of a depressing book because for someone who was in very prestigious positions he couldn't do much. It seems like the political monetary pull is so strong and negatively affects so many areas of our country. Overall I learned a lot. I would like to read other opinions on this topic as well.

I haven't finished this yet but am enjoying reading an economic/political discourse that -while it may not be my politics- highlights little known facts about how competition in international trade is manipulated by the political and global powers that be.

Global affairs are moving so fast that while it's less than ten years old, this book feels way out of date. But that's also what makes it interesting. There's something oddly comforting about a smart person whose been in a position of real authority sharing credible ideas about how to make the world quite a lot better. And some of it, like joined up global commitments and action on climate change, even seem to be happening...

The former head of the WTO discusses globalization for readers with a bit of economics background. Barriers and proposed solutions to making globalization successful for developing countries. I enjoyed reading this after the End of Poverty, which gives numerous case studies. Here the author sythesizes his experiences and provides general principles for actualizing change.