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Contributions from
the Column
Media
Rape as a war crime
Lobbying guide
Taking foreign cultures more seriously
Globalisation myths
12/2006 |
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Globalisation myths
Kavaljit Singh:
Questioning Globalization.
Zed Books, London and New York 2006,
192 p., £9.99, ISBN 1-84277-279-1
In easily-understandable language, Kavaljit Singh aims to show why the current form of globalisation is neither beneficial nor unavoidable. The first few chapters offer an excellent critique of globalisation in the financial sector and of global rules for legal protection of investments. Singh casts doubt on the general assumption that such rules boost economic growth and development, supporting his argument with a number of empirical findings. In contrast, his remarks on the erosion of democracy are superficial. In the chapter about the promotion of good governance, he implies that this topic is only about weakening the state. Singh thus questions that poor state institutions are in fact a crucial barrier to development. At times his obsession with “neo-liberalism” clouds his scrutiny. (bl) |
