The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy [Paperback]

In this eloquent challenge to the reigning wisdom on globalization, Dani Rodrik reminds us of the importance of the nation-state, arguing forcefully that when the social arrangements of democracies inevitably clash with the international demands of globalization, national priorities should take precedence. Combining history with insight, humor with good-natured critique, Rodriks case for a customizable globalization supported by a light frame of international rules shows the way to a balanced prosperity as we confront todays global challenges in trade, finance, and labor markets.Required reading for those who seek to prevent thefinancial crises and unfair trade practices that feed the backlash against theopen markets.Dani Rodrik may be globalizations most prominentand most thoughtfulgadfly. InTakes on the biggest issue of our timeglobalizationand eloquently enlarges the debate about the extent and limits of global cooperation.In this cogent, well-written book, Rodrik, aHarvard economist, critiques unalloyed globalization enthusiasts, taking aim attheir desire to fully liberalize foreign trade and capital movements.Although [Rodriks] message is nuanced and rigorous,drawing on history, logic and the latest economic data, he manages to convey itin simple, powerful prose that any reader can follow. . . . A much-neededaddendum to [Adam] Smiths famous formulation.Simply the best recent treatment of theglobalization dilemma that Ive read, by an economist or anyone else. . . . Hegives us nothing less than a general theory of globalization, development,democracy, and the state. The book provides the pleasure of following athoughtful, critical mind working through a complex puzzle. Rodrik writes inhighly friendly and nontechnical prose, blending a wide-ranging knowledge ofeconomic history and politics and a gentle, occasionally incredulous,skepticism about the narrow and distorting lens of his fellow economists.A Big Book, one that may shape a new way ofl3œ