The Global Division of Labour : Development and Inequality in World Society

Global free trade is one of the most controversial phenomena of our time. Richard Münch offers a new theory of global labour division to explain deeper transformations in the production and distribution of wealth brought about by global free trade. He then carries out and analyzes empirical investigations based on this theory. "Global free trade is one of the most controversial phenomena of our time. Supporters of economic liberalism believe that it will provide affluence for all regions of the globe; its critics view it as the driving force of increasing inequality, societal disorganization and ecological damage. Richard Munch offers a new theory of global labour division to explain deeper transformations in the production and distribution of wealth brought about by global free trade. He then carries out and analyzes empirical investigations based on this theory. Munch begins by elaborating his theory, outlining its dynamics of decreasing heterogeneity and inequality between nations, and increasing heterogeneity and inequality within nations. Subsequently, he focuses on the struggle to determine the rules of global trade, before concluding with an empirical analysis of the effects of world trade on economic development and inequality"--Back cover Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction: The Dynamics of Global Labour Division....Pages 1-26 The Field of Global Trade: IOs, NGOs and Transnational Corporations....Pages 27-68 The Principles of Global Trade: The WTO....Pages 69-102 Development and Inequality under the Regime of Free Trade: What Do We Know?....Pages 103-147 Global Labour Division, Development and Inequality; with Christian Dressel....Pages 148-222 Conclusion: Development and Inequality in World Society....Pages 223-230 Back Matter....Pages 231-269 Global free trade is one of the most controversial phenomena of our time. Richard M©ơnch offers a new theory of global labour division to explain deeper transformations in the production and distribution of wealth brought about by global free trade. He then carries out and analyzes empirical investigations based on this theory