Globalization, Growth, and Poverty: Building an Inclusive World Economy (World Bank Policy Research Report)

Book Description

Globalization is already a powerful force for poverty reduction as societies and economies around the world are becoming more integrated. Although this international integration presents considerable opportunities for developing countries, it also contains significant risks. Associated with international integration are concerns about increasing inequality, shifting power, and cultural uniformity.

Globalization, Growth, and Poverty focuses on globalization in terms of growing economic integration resulting from the increased flow of goods and services, people, capital, and information. The report is primarily concerned with the effect that this growing integration has on economic growth and poverty reduction. It assesses the impact of globalization and addresses the ensuing anxieties. By focusing on specific policy recommendations, this report proposes an agenda for action aimed at minimizing the risks that globalization potentially generates, while maximizing the opportunities for the poor.

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Societies and economies around the world are becoming more integrated. Integration is the result of reduced costs of transport, lower trade barriers, faster communication of ideas, rising capital flows, and intensifying pressures for mitigation. Integration--or " globalization " --has generated anxieties about rising ineuality, shifting power, and cultural uniformity. This report assesses its impact and examines these anxieties. Global integration is already a powerful force for poverty reduction, but it could be even more effective. Some, but not all of the anxieties are well-founded. Both global opportunities and global risks have outpaced global policy. The authors propose an agenda for action, both to enhance the potential of globalization to provide opportunities for poor people and to reduce and mitigate the risks it generates. This report presents three main findings that bear on current policy debates about globalization. First, poor countries with around 3 billion people have broken into the global market for manufactures and services; these " new globalizers " have experienced large-scale poverty reduction. The second finding concerns inclusion both across countries and within them; the authors highlight a range of measures that would help countries in danger of becoming marginalized become integrated with the world economy. A third issue concerns the anxiety that economic integration leads to cultural or institutional homogenization.

Customer Reviews:

about as good a case for globalization as you can make.......2005-02-17

I should say up-front that I disagree with the perspective of the writers--I am a firm opponent of neoliberalism (the current form of globalization. Please note, those of us in the global justice movement don't oppose globalization--we just want a different form of it.) I read this book hoping to find someone making a strong case for globalization, so I could understand the other side of the debate--both out of respect for my opponents and because it's always good to know thy enemy. Certainly, the arguments in here are much stronger than in Friedman's The Lexus and the Olive Tree, which is pretty fluffy. Collier and Dollar use statistics to support their position and lay out a much stronger intellectual framework than Friedman in making the case for neoliberalism. They probably make about as strong a case as you could hope.

The core of their argument is that as countries integrate into the global economy, average income goes up. They also point that as countries integrate into the global economy, they tend to move from agricultural exports to manufacturing. On the face of it, this sounds good. But other things in their own book undermine this rosey picture. On pg. 49, they mention--only in passing--that this increase in income occurs only on average among third world countries--and that low-income countries actually see their average income go down when they integrate into the global economy. Oops. And then there's the fact they note that much of the rise of income goes to the well-educated, professionals and managers. Certainly, that would raise the average income--but a rise in average income doesn't mean the benefits are evenly distributed and, as they themselves admit, it seems to be going disproportionately to the already affluent--not the factory workers. Oops.

Then there are things Collier and Dollar don't deal with in the book that are also highly inconvenient. For instance, the reason agricultural exports go down with global integration is that third world countries get flooded with cheap food imports from first world nations, where agriculture is subsidized. Farmers producing for local markets are put out of business as a result. Collier and David note that people are moving in large numbers from rural areas to urban areas to work in manufacturing, citing this as proof that people embrace globalization. The problem is that a lot of these people don't have any choice. And they're moving from farms to urban slums, where--if they are luck enough to find work--it's in a sweatshop. While I certainly have no desire to romanticize small farming in the third world, the quality of life is still a lot better than living in a slum and working in a sweatshop. Of course, when you move from a small, rural farm to the city and begin working in a factory, your income does go up, at least as it registers in the World Bank's statistics. That does not equal an improvement in quality of life.

Collier and Dollar wave around some impressive sounding numbers, but once you put them in context, they don't look so good. The heart of their argument has holes you could drive a Mac truck through. The rest doesn't really matter. It was a nice try, but they just couldn't pull it off. Sorry guys.

Comprehensive discussion of Globalization.......2002-02-17

The signal to noise ratio in the discussion of Globalization makes it hard to sort out what is really going on. Much of the discussion comes from anecdotal evidence or from a particular point of view. Of course, it is impossible to be completely objective about anything, but since the mission of the World Bank, the publishers of this study, is "a world free of poverty" it's point of view at least attempts to not view globalization from the perspective of any particular nation or group and to represent different views.

The result is a strongly documented case for the beneficial effects of our increasingly globalized world. This books is a good reference books with facts about the distribution of income, poverty rates throughout the world, changes in GDP over time and other things that are frequently misrepresented by anti-globalization folks.

The book covers many things that are in books like The Lexus and the Olive Tree, A Future Perfect and so on about how the legal and social structure affect investment and growth. This book references the original studies and is a good starting point for research.

It also points out that the forces towards globalization, better communication, transportation and financial markets can easily be stopped in their tracks by trade wars as happened in the 1930's so educating oneself about the benefits of an integrated world economy can help make sure we do not have a repeat of the Great Depression.

Globalization, Growth, and Poverty: Building an Inclusive World Economy (A World Bank Publication Series)
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Globalization, Growth, and Poverty: Building an Inclusive World Economy (A World Bank Publication Series)
Paul; Dollar, David Collier
Manufacturer: A World Bank Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKP6FA

Book Description

Many countries have reformed their monetary instruments over the last few years. this volume deals with the design, implementation, and coordination of major monetary policy instruments, highlighting relevant country experiences. In particular, it discusses how to adapt those instruments to the financial environment as well as how to help this environment to develop.

Book Description

Intended for professional developers working in Delphi who are looking for a way to move into the sphere of new programming technology for e-business, this guide discusses specific Delphi tools and technologies and enables developers to take advantage of the RAD technique with the new version of Delphi for creating Web services. Emphasis is given to the development of data processing using the XML and SOAP protocol and to the creation of Web services based on its capabilities. Also covered are all aspects of working with databases—data presentation; local, client-server, and distributed systems; and technologies of accessing data, from BDE to dbExpress and dbGO.

Customer Reviews:

25 pages about Web Sercices.......2003-05-06

This book, maybe a good Delphi book but out of the 695 pages only 25 has to do with Web Services which is a major part of the title. The book should be call "Delphi does Web stuff". On the other hand then it would not sell would it?
Printed on the cover: "For a Solid Understanding of How to Use Delphi for Creating Web Services" - You can find more up to date information by a using on google.

Excellent book!.......2002-10-31

If your looking for a great addition to your Delphi library, look no further than this book. It covers in great detail most of the issues that face web services development, from creating simple com servers, using MTS/COM+ transactions, and even database technologies such as DataSnap, its all here with the details and examples to put these technologies to use today!

I would recommend this book for anyone looking to sharpen thier skils in COM, Database Technologies, or Web Services/Web Application creation. The basics are covered as well as the more advanced topics all in great detail.

Book Description

A resource guide for starting your business. Includes current state and federal start-up inforamtion, contacts, statistics, and legislation.

Starting and Operating a Business in Tennessee (Smartstart Your Business in)

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Starting and Operating a Business in Tennessee (Smartstart Your Business in)
Michael D. Jenkins
Manufacturer: Oasis Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Administrative Law | Law | Subjects | Books

The Business Writing Problem Solver: Instant Solutions for Every Business
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The Business Writing Problem Solver: Instant Solutions for Every Business
Herman R. Holtz
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Communications | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Business Writing | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Running Meetings & Presentations | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0870949012

The Business Writing Problem Solver: Instant Solutions for Every Business
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The Business Writing Problem Solver: Instant Solutions for Every Business
Herman R. Holtz
Manufacturer: Irwin Professional Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NSFQ6W

Book Description

Let's face it, EVERYONE gets a little nervous about interviewing. You want to make sure you're sending the right signals to potential employers, while still getting the information about the job you need as well. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Interview" gives you all of the tips for a successful interview!

Customer Reviews:

The best I've read so far.......2003-06-24

I was taken down a peg in excitement when I discovered that yet another book doesn't seem to grasp truly helpful information for blue collar work seekers but none the less takeing some time everyone can find helpful information in the pages of this book. It's incredibly informative and after reading it I was amazed at how easy it was to impress interviewers. I felt much more prepared for the task or job hunting after reading this book. Makes a great graduation gift too.

A must-have for any serious job seeker!.......2000-07-29

There is nothing like going into a job interview, one of the most stressful events life has to offer, and feeling as though you are prepared for anything the interviewer throws at you.

This book is one of the most valuable resources I have ever come across. It is a wellspring of advice for virtually any interviewing situation you can imagine. The writing is simple and to-the-point, yet very engaging and thought-provoking. It can be read either from cover to cover or picked up and thumbed through at random. The advice is practical, concise, and can be applied to job-hunting at any level, from blue-collar to white-collar executive positions.

What did this book do for me?

Before I read the book, I spent an exhausting week interviewing with everyone in my field who would see me. I scheduled thirty interviews in a period of five days, and came away with exactly nothing. And rightly so: I spent most of my time in the interviews fumbling for words and passively hoping that the interviewer would instinctively recognize what a great person I would be for the job. In a nutshell, it was a heartbreaking and deeply disappointing experience, not to mention a monumental waste of a perfectly good vacation.

After reading the book, I began the interviewing process again. The first two interviews I had turned into job offers. Furthermore, one of those offers was for a position for which I was not the best qualified. The two other potential candidates had a great deal more experience than I, but as the hiring manager told me, there was just something about my attitude that made them believe they would rather train me to do the job than hire the applicant with the "perfect" qualifications. So there!

I now have the job I have always dreamed of, and I believe I can credit The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Interview with a great deal of my success. If you're looking for a job, buy it. Read it. Know it. It is such a small price to pay for the delicious feelings of confidence, competence and complete control that you will no doubt experience. Good luck and happpy hunting!

Book Description

This book provides useful and specific answers to the financial questions uppermost on women's minds.

Every Woman's Guide to Financial Security

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Every Woman's Guide to Financial Security
Ann Z. Peterson , and Stephen M. Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Career Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Every Woman's Guide to Investing: 11 Steps to Financial Independence and Security

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Every Woman's Guide to Investing: 11 Steps to Financial Independence and Security
Francie Prince , and Douglas Pi
Manufacturer: Prima Lifestyles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Public Finance | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Introduction | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Money Management for Women | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0761502858
Release Date: 1996-03-06

Book Description

Finance has long been the realm of men, and studies show that the financial community takes male clients more seriously, provides them with more information, and responds more effectively to their questions. Today?s woman must be proactive. Every Woman?s Guide to Investing, by Francie Prince and Douglas Pi, provides a basic introduction to investing and the stock market, explaining in easy-to-follow, jargon-free language—everything women need to know to take command of their financial futures.

Every Woman?s Guide to Investing shows readers how to:
• Reduce risk and optimize return on investments• Employ proven investment strategies• Understand the different types of markets• Create a sound plan for retirement• Handle inheritance money wisely• Make smart financial decisions that really pay

A powerful tool for all types of investors, Every Woman?s Guide to Investing covers 401-K programs, mutual funds, treasuries, municipal bonds, stocks, commodities, money managers, and more. Its clear and simple approach makes it the perfect resource for beginners, while its comprehensive coverage offers insights even Wall Street veterans will appreciate. Reading this book is like hiring a top financial advisor to walk you through all your investment options.

About the Authors

Francie Prince, an award-winning interior designer and entrepreneur, is the founding owner of Prince Associates, Inc., a successful interior design firm established in 1984. Doug Pi is a prominent financial consultant for a multinational brokerage firm where he manages portfolios worth millions of dollars. His investment experience spans nearly two decades.

Book Description

It is New York City in 1992. Unaware of the heartbreak he will encounter, the veteran environmentalist Allen Hershkowitz proposes developing a major recycled-paper mill in the city. He's tired of being outgunned too often by industry lobbyists in legislative battles and wants to develop an environmentally friendly and profitable business that will bring jobs to one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. What's more, the project could become a national model. But Hershkowitz quickly finds himself pitted against surprising forces. To the idealist's surprise, neighborhood activists fiercely resist outsiders, and he must confront byzantine politics and powerful industry hostility. The project may be outstanding environmentally and socially, but often that's not what matters. From beginning to end, Tilting at Mills reveals what can occur in attempted alliances between big business and environmentalists and is filled with shocking stories of what really happens behind the scenes in major deal-making.

Customer Reviews:

Quixotic Excuses.......2004-05-10

Love struck pre-teens would be hard pressed to fawn as heavily over the object of their respective affections as Lis Harris dotes over Allen Hershkowitz. Harris' book, "Tilting at Mills" purports to document the tortured history of Hershkowitz's admirable efforts to bring a paper mill to the South Bronx, but in execution the text reads as a slam book on all those who crossed him on his way. The book is, therefore, a huge disappointment for all those who seek to understand how the environmental movement in the United States can expand its scope and efficacy. The paper mill project forced Hershkowitz and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to directly confront two groups with which environmentalists have not made significant inroads: ethnic minorities and big business. A serious treatment of the complexity of the failed interaction between these different slices of America could contribute to a better comprehension of how to bridge gaps. What Ms. Harris provides in this book, however, cannot be characterized as serious treatment. The explanations provided for particular failures are inexorably provided from the perspective of Hershkowitz -- blame lies with everyone else and not with the Man of La Chelsea. Why did the mill project fail? Because the "community groups" of the South Bronx were hopelessly corrupt, because city politicians and bureaucrats (and one prominently derided state bureaucrat) lacked vision, and because businessmen were hopelessly greedy. What lessons were learned from the failure of the mill project? According to Ms. Harris' rendering: ethnic minority community groups are hopelessly corrupt, most politicians and bureaucrats lack vision, and the majority of businessmen are hopelessly greedy. There is no complexity in "Tilting at Mills," and that is unfortunate.

Take for example Ms. Harris' reporting of the interactions between Hershkowitz and Banana Kelly. Why did Hershkowitz partner with Banana Kelly and Yolanda Rivera? Answer: the recommendation of an individual who worked with community groups in the South Bronx. An objective observer would, perhaps, be puzzled by why the NRDC had little knowledge of community groups operating a few miles to the north of its NYC headquarters, but "Tilting at Mills" is untroubled. Ms. Harris waives away any concern by noting that the NRDC had successfully worked with community groups in the past and was wholly unprepared to deal with the avarice of those that headed Banana Kelly.

The greatest failing of the book, however, is that it often reverts into an unabashed hatchet job on all those who Hershkowitz perceived as obstacles to the project. Venice Miller, NRDC's director of environmental justice who opposed the mill project, is one of those singled out and held up for ridicule. Ms. Harris lets readers know that not only was Ms. Miller wrong in each and every facet of her criticism of the project, but that she was fired from a position with the EPA after the federal government determined that she lied on her resume. Similarly, readers are treated to a history of the indictments handed down regarding Charles Gargano, the chairman of the Empire State Development Corp. who also opposed Hershkowitz's vision. Indeed, all those vehemently opposed to the project, we are told, are archetypes of moral failure. This tale of comeuppance may flatter Hershkowitz and provide absolution to the NRDC and its supporters (like myself), but it makes for an uninteresting read.

Tilting at Mills is Priceless.......2003-11-30

Harris presents a non-fiction work that reads like a gripping novel. This is a great book that will educate its readers. Tilting at Mills documents a scientist's attempt to develop a recycling plant in the south Bronx. If Hollywood had the guts it would make a movie out of the this brilliant work. Three cheers for Tilting at Mills. This book will sell for years. Definately worth the price and more.

why good ideas dont go thru.......2003-10-19

a great idea is composed yet city politics provide a blockade. the author presents a very easy to read synopsis of the plan to build a paper mill in upper harlem yet local politics blaco the way

It's a drama.......2003-08-17

Tilting at Mills is the story of an heroic adventure in the two worlds of ecology and politics. The question of why very good ideas don't make it into practical, concrete existence is one that keeps coming up in life. (In case you hadn't noticed!) Lis Harris has produced an absorbing study of a project that almost made it. The characters in the drama are presented in vivid detail. So add to ecology and politics, psychology. And sociology. But the book reads like a novel. Harris really is a wonderful writer.

TILTING AT MILLS: GREEN DREAMS, DIRTY DEALINGS, AND THE CORPORATE SQUEEZE

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TILTING AT MILLS: GREEN DREAMS, DIRTY DEALINGS, AND THE CORPORATE SQUEEZE
Lis Harris
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Boston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HJM6VU

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