The Politics of Empire: Globalisation in Crisis (Transnational Institute)

This collection, edited by Alan Freeman and Boris Kagarlitsky, provides an analysis of globalization from a Marxist point of view, focusing particularly on the large-scale economic processes visible in the world today, and on comparisons with earlier periods of capitalism. The collection itself is quite useful in terms of data and statistics, providing ample evidence for any doubter to refute such liberal ideas as that markets lead to convergence, that unified markets tend to create political unification, that liberalization of the economies has led to greater prosperity in the Third World, and that a freer market explains why the United States generally does better than continental Europe and Japan. Nevertheless, there are some serious problems with this book. The main one, immediately apparent, is the annoying rhetorical tone adopted throughout and the general anti-American sentiment in it. Hardly a paragraph goes by or phrases such as "bellicose imperialism", "New World Order hegemons", etc. etc. are used to describe America. Some of it might be deserved, but nevertheless the constant tone reminds one of the stupidest aspects of modern-day radical leftism, and suits the Michael Moore crowd much better than a critical Marxist reader. The book would have gained enormously if this tone had been abandoned and they had stuck by the facts, which are bad enough as is. This goes in particular for the idiotic conspiracy article by Turkish Marxist Sungur Savran in this collection. The second major problem is that the book argues, in the (otherwise quite good) introduction that globalization can essentially be considered a new form of the old imperialism of the 19th Century. Strangely enough, hardly any evidence of this is further given, and none of the articles in the collection itself are a defense of this particular view. One certainly gets the impression that it might be true from all sorts of circumstancial evidence given in the context of other analyses in the book, which are fine on their own, but the actual connection is never made. This is odd to say the least. What saves the book are the exceedingly good articles by the book's editors themselves, Freeman and Kagarlitsky. Freeman's article shows both the reality and the causes of the inequality of nations today, and establishes irrefutably that liberalization in the past decades has not improved the lot of those not already best off to begin with. Kagarlitsky in turn gives a socialist view of the current international relations between the various Western states, including Russia, in particular focusing on the European Union. This is very well done and one wishes it were longer. Of some additional interest is also the article by Patrick Bond about "global apartheid" (another such rhetorical flourish) which gives a good overview of the issues facing developing nations in combating the power of the IMF, World Bank etc. On the whole, I would advise to buy this book to read the articles by Freeman and Kagarlitsky. Unfortunately, I wouldn't bother reading any of the rest. Contents......Page 4 Introduction: World Empire - or a World of Empires?......Page 7 The world after 9/ 11......Page 8 The globalisation of divergence......Page 14 Origins of the age of war......Page 16 Enter the new imperialism......Page 23 Exit globalisation, pursued by an eagle......Page 34 Another world is indispensable......Page 40 Absolute divergence......Page 52 Absolute stagnation......Page 55 Divergence, stagnation and the end of globalisation......Page 56 The new age of competitive regionalism......Page 60 The use and misuse of averages......Page 64 What does money buy? Purchasing power, paying power, and growth......Page 68 The statistical signifi cance of China......Page 76 The new regionalism and the political geography of divergence......Page 79 The crisis of the globalist project......Page 90 Three moments of the crisis of globalisation......Page 91 The new economics of George W. Bush......Page 94 The economics and politics of overextension......Page 98 Imperialism and the global economy at the start of the twenty- fi rst century......Page 103 South Asia in the era of globalisation......Page 111 5 Globalisation and the New World Order: The New Dynamics of Imperialism and War......Page 123 'Globalisation': The unfettered circulation of capital......Page 125 The New World Order: The unfettered circulation of imperialist armies......Page 136 The dynamics of confl ict over Eurasia......Page 150 Conclusion: Globalism and the NWO as inherently crisis- prone processes......Page 156 Crisis and the restructuring of world capitalism......Page 160 Latin America faces the global crisis......Page 165 Conclusions: Whither the empire of global capital?......Page 183 7 Facing Global Apartheid......Page 195 A new political economy and geopolitics of imperialism?......Page 196 African anti- capitalisms......Page 202 The limits of elite opinion......Page 209 Breaking the chains of global financial apartheid......Page 211 Who is for and against global apartheid?......Page 215 Should movements take the state, or localise?......Page 218 Next steps: Towards a 'fifth international'?......Page 222 Appendix: Five ideological reactions to 'global apartheid'......Page 227 8 Unity, Diversity and International Co-operation: The US War Drive and the Anti-war Movement......Page 237 Global mobility of capital......Page 247 High profits and after......Page 250 Back to the oil......Page 252 Euro- ambitions......Page 254 Europe and the new imperialism......Page 257 Global competition......Page 263 The struggle for Russia......Page 268 Is new reformism an answer?......Page 272 The programme of transition......Page 274 Notes on Contributors......Page 281 Index......Page 283 9780745321844 Contents 4 Introduction: World Empire - or a World of Empires? 7 The world after 9/ 11 8 The globalisation of divergence 14 Origins of the age of war 16 Enter the new imperialism 23 Exit globalisation, pursued by an eagle 34 Another world is indispensable 40 2 The Inequality of Nations 52 Absolute divergence 52 Absolute stagnation 55 Divergence, stagnation and the end of globalisation 56 The new age of competitive regionalism 60 The limits of statistics 64 The use and misuse of averages 64 What does money buy? Purchasing power, paying power, and growth 68 The statistical signifi cance of China 76 The new regionalism and the political geography of divergence 79 3 The Crisis of the Globalist Project and the New Economics of George W. Bush 90 The crisis of the globalist project 90 Three moments of the crisis of globalisation 91 The new economics of George W. Bush 94 The economics and politics of overextension 98 4 Imperialist Globalisation and the Political Economy of South Asia 103 Imperialism and the global economy at the start of the twenty- fi rst century 103 South Asia in the era of globalisation 111 5 Globalisation and the New World Order: The New Dynamics of Imperialism and War 123 'Globalisation': The unfettered circulation of capital 125 The New World Order: The unfettered circulation of imperialist armies 136 The dynamics of confl ict over Eurasia 150 Conclusion: Globalism and the NWO as inherently crisis- prone processes 156 6 The Crisis of Global Capitalism: How it Looks from Latin America 160 Crisis and the restructuring of world capitalism 160 Latin America faces the global crisis 165 Conclusions: Whither the empire of global capital? 183 7 Facing Global Apartheid 195 A new political economy and geopolitics of imperialism? 196 African anti- capitalisms 202 The limits of elite opinion 209 Breaking the chains of global financial apartheid 211 Who is for and against global apartheid? 215 Should movements take the state, or localise? 218 Next steps: Towards a 'fifth international'? 222 Appendix: Five ideological reactions to 'global apartheid' 227 8 Unity, Diversity and International Co-operation: The US War Drive and the Anti-war Movement 237 9 From Global Crisis to Neo-imperialism: The Case for a Radical Alternative 247 Global mobility of capital 247 High profits and after 250 Back to the oil 252 Euro- ambitions 254 Europe and the new imperialism 257 Global competition 263 The struggle for Russia 268 Is new reformism an answer? 272 The programme of transition 274 Notes on Contributors 281 Index 283 One of neo-liberalism's greatest crimes is to downgrade the history of ideas. This book digs deep into history and, in a timely way, celebrates an intellectual but practical approach to the social, economic and environmental threats posed by globalisation. Ann Pettifor, Senior Associate, New Economics Foundation and Editor, Real World Economic Outlook "A book that isn't afraid to call today's specific 'globalization' process by its proper name another phase of imperialism! ... Strongly recommended for those wishing to understand the damage that is being wreaked in the name of promoting global prosperity and democracy." Achin VanaikBringing together nine leading writers and activists from around the world, this book explores the origins of a new age of Empire.The contributors show globalisation is the driving force behind the new and warlike period that began with the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Writers including Walden Bello, Jayati Ghosh, Kate Hudson, Boris Kagarlitsky and Alan Freeman offer a wealth of factual evidence showing that globalisation has driven apart peoples, classes and nations, shaping and reshaping key regions of the world. Challenging the idea that it is inevitable, they argue that its economic contradictions have thrown the world order that sustained it into crisis.Globalisation's opponents are shaping a new intellectual tradition. For the first time, the book brings together the critiques thrown up by resistance to globalisation, to war, and to imperialism. Free from ideology and dogma, the book shows how the peace and anti-globalisation movements can join forces and face the coming period of world history.Essential reading for anyone involved in the peace and anti-globalisation movements, this book is also ideal for students of politics, economics and international relations. Bringing together nine leading writers and activists from around the world, this book explores the origins of a new age of Empire. Writers including Walden Bello, Jayati Ghosh, Kate Hudson, Boris Kagarlitsky and Alan Freeman offer a wealth of factual evidence showing that globalisation has driven apart peoples, classes and nations, shaping and reshaping key regions of the world. Challenging the idea that it is inevitable, they argue that its economic contradictions have thrown the world order that sustained it into crisis. Globalisation's opponents are shaping a new intellectual tradition. For the first time, the book brings together the critiques thrown up by resistance to globalisation, to war, and to imperialism. Free from ideology and dogma, showing how the peace and anti-globalisation movements can join forces and face the coming period of world history. Introduction : World Empire - Or A World Of Empires? / Alan Freeman, Boris Kargalitsky -- Inequality Of Nations / Alan Freeman -- Crisis Of The Globalist Project And The New Economics Of George W. Bush / Walden Bello, Marylou Malig -- Imperialist Globalization And The Political Economy Of South Asia -- Globalisation And The New World Order : The New Dynamics Of Imperialism And War / Sungur Savran -- Crisis Of Global Capitalism : How It Looks From Latin Ameica / Bill Robinson -- Facing Global Apartheid / Patrick Bond. Unity, Diversity And International Co-operation : The Us War Drive And The Anti-war Movement / Kate Hudson -- From Global Crisis To Neo-imperialism : The Case For A Radical Alternative / Boris Kargalitsky. Edited By Alan Freeman And Boris Kagarlitsky. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is an explanation of the origins of a new period of world history that began with the 2000-2002 recession, the Bush administration and the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq. Bringing together leading writers and activists, the text presents a radical critique of the last 20 years of globalization On 17 February 2002, the Transnational Institute (TNI) called a weekend seminar in Amsterdam to discuss perspectives for what is variously known as the movement lot global justice, the movement against anti-corporate globalisation or simply the anti-globalisation movement. Nine leading writers and activists spanning five continents present a radical deconstruction of the theories behind the neoliberal project.