Review of "Globalization: A Very Short Introduction" by Manfred B Steger, Oxford University Press

BPEC volunteer Frances Baker takes a look at Manfred B Steger's, Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2003) and gives brief summary of the arguments and subjects covered therein.

A brief history

The IMF, the World Bank and the WTO implement and enforce the regulations of our current global economy that is supported by the unequal power between the global North and South.

During the Cold War, the IMF and World Bank's provision of loans to developing countries became linked to the West's political aim of preventing the spread of communism. However, from the 1970s, the IMF and the World Bank have turned to neoliberalist integration and deregulation of world markets.

As a condition to receiving loans, the IMF and the World Bank have demanded the reform of the recipient nations' internal economics in order for them to be better placed to repay their debts. These 'structural adjustment programmes' are called the 'Washington Consensus'.

However, what has happened is that large amounts of these loans have been taken by authoritarian political leaders or have profited local businesses and their associated Northern corporations. These programmes have not resulted in developing these nations but have in less social programmes and educational opportunities, and more environmental pollution and poverty due to mandated cuts in public spending.

Steger argues that the claim that the globalisation process is leaderless is false. This claim has depoliticised the public debate and demobilised anti-globalist movements. "Once large segments of the population have accepted the globalist image of a self-directed juggernaut taht simply runs its course, it becomes extremely difficult to organise resistance movements. As ordinary people cease to believe in the possibility of choosing alternative social arrangements, globalism's capacity to construct passive consumer identities gains even greater strength."

There are those who challenge this view and see the way forward involving the formation of a worldwide nonviolent resistance movement. There are now numerous organisations that believe that at the grassroots level, people can change globalisation as it is now.

Steger mentions the Third World Network, a non-profit international network of organisations. It carries out research on the global South's development issues and gives a platform for anti-globalist perspectives at international meetings. He also mentions The International Forum on Globalization which is a 'global alliance of activists, scholars, economists, researchers and writers formed to stimulate a universalist-protectionist response to globalism." There are also transnational women's networks that aim aim to develop common policies, especially with regards to women's rights.

Two antiglobalist camps

Steger argues that there are two main antiglobalist camps. Particularist protectionism and universalist protectionism. They share the same view that protection is required from the negative effects of globalisation but, he stresses, they are very different in their aims and methods.

Particularist protectionism

Steger argues that particularist protectionism includes groups who see free trade, global investments, the neoliberal agenda of multi-national corporations, and the Americanisation of the world as having contributed to most of the countries. They are concerned about losing their national self-determination and they put forward protection of their traditions. Steger says that: "particularist protectionists are more concerned with the well-being of their own citizens than with the construction of a more equitable international order based on global solidarity." He gives examples of nationalist parties like Jorg Haider's Austrian Freedom Party, Jean-Marie Le Pen's French National Front, and Gerhard Frey's German People's Union. Steger also says that Osama Bin Laden's extreme version of Islam has similar attitudes as does President Hugo Chavez's Venezuelan brand of national populism.

Unversalist Protectionism

Steger says universalist protectionism can be found in progressive political parties who promote a fairer relationship between the global North and South. He also includes the growing number of NGOs and transnational networks concerned with the environment, fair trade, international labour, human rights and women's issues. Such groups believe it is possible to create a world based on a global redistribution of wealth and power. They see policies created by the powerful leading to greater global inequality, high unemployment, environmental damage, and the loss of social welfare. "Calling for a 'globalisation from below' favouring the marginalised and poor, they seek to protect ordinary people all over the world from a neoliberal 'globalisation from above'".

Further Reading

As further reading, Steger recommends:

For Introductions to economic globalisation:

"The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalisation" by Wayne Ellwood, New International Publications, 2001

"Field Guide to the Global Economy" by Sarah Anderson and John Cavanagh, The National Press, 2000

"Taming Global Finnancial Flows" by Kavalijt Singh, Zed Books, 2000

"Turbo-Capitalism" By Edward Luttwak, HarperCollins, 1999

For the arguments of "pessimistic hyperglobalizers":

"Jihad Vs McWorld" by Benjamin Barber, Ballatine, 1996

"The Westernization of the World" by Serge Latouche, Poloty Press, 1996

"The McDonaldization of Society" by George Ritzer, Pine Forge Press, 1994

For books on various anti-globalist movements and their recent activies:

"5 Days That Shook The World" by Alexander Cockburn, Jeffrey St Clair and Allan Sekula, Verso, 2000

"Globalize This!" by Kevin Danaher and Roger Burbach (eds.), Common Courage Press, 2000

For descriptions of the reformist agenda:

"Beyond Globalization" by Hazel Henderson, Kumerian Press, 1999

"Globalization From Below" by Jeremy Brecher, Tim Costello and Brendan Smith, Southend Press, 2000

"Rethinking Globalization" by Martin Khor, Zed Books, 2001