From Third World to World Class: The Future of Emerging Markets in the Global Economy

by Peter Marber

Book Overview

From Argentina to Zimbabwe, rapid growth and economic transformation are creating a wide array of new business opportunities--for multinational corporations and individual investors alike. But the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738201324
• ISBN13: 9780738201320
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Redressing the Balance

Marber offers some considerable insight into the growing magnitude of emerging markets in the global economy, redressing the balance of the plethora of protectionist literature that would rather see Third World remain third. What is particularly refreshing about his approach is that he embraces the negative sentiment, potential risks, and shortcomings of emerging markets investing, and offers practical and forthright advice on how to make it work.

Excellent counterpoint to today's fear of emerging markets

Over the last few weeks the emerging markets have sunk in value, and everyone seems to be running away from them in an irrational panic. Those who should know better, such as professional investors, government officials and the media, seem as uninformed about emerging market fundamentals and prospects as the average person, and have contributed to some extent to the debacle. They are even contributing to a rise in protectionist sentiment.Nobody can be expected to make rational investment decisions without historical understanding and relevant information. That Mr. Marber has opted to instruct us on the history of emerging markets and their vast potential in the context of an open, integrated global economy can only improve the current situation.Peter Marber's book is a very welcome, refreshingly optimistic and thoroughly researched look at emerging markets, their development, and their bright future. His readers will emerge informed and armed with knowledge that will allow them to appreciate free trade and understand the forest, the trees and the extent of the investment opportunity inherent amidst the current panic.

An insightful and engrossing read

As a student of international business and economics, I have been required to read a variety of business and investing texts. However, I have yet to read anything, be it a textbook or a practical business book, that covers the scope of Peter Marber's From Third World To World Class. Marber's thorough grasp of history and professional experience makes for a comprehensive, insightful and truly enjoyable read that is informative and highly original. As compared to other books that discuss Emerging Markets, such as the very general biography of emerging markets investing by Mark Mobius or the predictions of Jeffrey Garten's The Big Ten, Marber's work combines theory and practice, producing a book that tackles today's most controversial business issues with a refreshingly optimistic perspective. But perhaps what is most impressive about Marber's work is that he establishes a clear path for the reader to follow. Unlike other authors, Marber gives you a well-researched past! , present and future, by telling the story of Emerging Markets investing through history and, when relevant, injecting anecdotes and hard facts. Marber's book is powerful both for its content and presentation. By taking an academics' approach to story telling and using a successful investors voice to share his theories, Marber presents a compelling work from which one can truly learn about the financial and political implications of the changing global economy, and how we can all benefit.

Incredibly timely, eclectic, NOT your average Wall St. read

Peter Marber has successfully squeezed into 272 pages an accessible, though not patronizingly simplistic, and well-researched account of how the world economy got to where it is today, and how we can capitalize on the opportunities of this historic moment. He combines history, a primer on investment strategies, and a hard-nosed look at the state of the developed economies and of political debate. The result is a coherent and convincing argument for political and economic engagement, at a time when crises in the world markets would seem to prescribe isolationism. This is not a Mobius-type distillation of snap-shots and one-stop shopping in emerging market investing, but a more in-depth and interdisciplinary look at the history of development. An intelligent analysis of current economic and political debates for ALL audiences.

Highly Readable....Demystifies Complex Issues

As someone who knows little about business and economics, I found this book really interesting and timely. From Third World to World Class links together many of the dominant themes of our era - globalization, technology, markets, and the rise of new world powers. With force and conviction, Marber explains the positive economic and financial transformation that will affect the world in the coming decades. Many of the current headlines we read - ever-changing technology, Asia's financial crises, nuclear proliferation in the Third World, China's growing importance - are all discussed historically and relative to the big picture he paints. With scholar eyes and trader sensibilities, Marber is to be applauded for his upbeat, accessible book on some of the more complex issues of our time.