Worlds Apart PB

by John D. Clark

Summary: Globalization is one of the most charged political battlegrounds of our age. Its advocates say it is an engine for universal prosperity, while its critics see it as a race to the bottom for poor people and poor countries. Worlds Apart bridges this divide by interpreting both sets of arguments and getting behind the polemics. It is not, however, a search for a middle ground. It unashamedly looks at the issues through a poverty lens and highlights...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156549167X
• ISBN13: 9781565491670
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Kumarian Press
• Length: 269 Pages

Customer Reviews

Bridging the gaps

Not many can claim credibility and authority for taking a fresh look at globalization, especially from an inside track. Clark is one of those with the right credentials. He has been working in all the camps of the globalization debate. After many years involvement with international non-profit organizations, he joined the World Bank. Since then he has advised governments on civil society issues and distilled his experience also into university-based research projects. Drawing on these diverse backgrounds, WORLDS APART is more than just another solid analysis of globalization issues. Clark manages to confront all parties, whether government, corporation, civil society organization or us as individuals. Clark takes us behind the assorted arguments, dissecting some while debunking others. His conclusions do not lead to a 'battle' striving for ethical globalization but rather to an appeal and well-argued strategies for a new ethics of globalization. He sees civil society playing a crucial role in its realization. Do we have a choice in responding to the appeal? Clark does not think so as the ever-widening gap between rich and poor has become intolerable. Even economic, financial, and political power brokers appear to have recognized that change on a global scale is unavoidable. Clark builds his arguments through the three parts of his book. In 'Impact of Globalization' he gives the reader an overview of the challenges encapsulated by globalization. While reviewing its processes, opportunities and problems from the economic, trade and political perspectives, he critiques the standard responses put forward by proponents and critics. There are no easy answers and Clark's intention is to explain why globalization is so controversial. By taking a pro-poor perspective he exposes the causes for the increasing inequalities in terms of incomes, wealth, security and power for ever larger sectors of society in developing and industrialized countries alike. At the same time, he presents a strong case for poor countries to open to international trade. In the main Clark concurs with those who argue that globalization as such is not a culprit. Yet he concludes that it has resulted in a 'comparative advantage for some - and an absolute disadvantage for many'. Imprecision in the term globalization itself, he argues, and the self-serving interpretations by a few major industrial powers, among them in particular the US - the 'G1' - have led to the imbalances and resulted in mistrust in governments, transnational corporations and institutions such as the World Bank. In the second part Clark explores 'How Global Change affects Civil Society'. Fortunately, Clark stresses, new forces are emerging from within civil society that can (and must) provide a countervailing force to existing powers structures. Leaving aside the debate over the definition of the term 'civil society', Clark starts from a clear concept: civil society represents 'collective activities of citiz