In Defense of Global Capitalism
Author: Johan Norberg
List Price: $12.95
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ISBN: 1930865473
Publisher: Cato Inst (September, 2003)
Sales Rank: 14,169
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Globalization as capitalism without borders
Having lived and come over from the left, Norberg makes a compelling case for globalization as a model for success. Contrary to the negative review from the Swedish "assassin", globalization works. The assassin's list of dysfunctional democracies is, even at its worst, a list of democracies and, contrary to his opinion, examples of good progress towards economic and political freedom.Globalization has become capitalism without borders. Capitalism means the right to own and the right to trade -- freely. The problems have more to do with what can and can not cross borders in a world economy where geopolitics and terrorism limit the rights or possibilities of people to move freely. There is still a strong urge to maintain national integrity and the natural defense of one's borders and culture. And, given the choice, people head for countries with greater economic and political freedom, not just where the natural wealth and resources exist. People are now the world's greatest resource and they are more mobile than ever.
Norberg pulls together multiple, massive statistical studies of real progress in the world resulting from greater political and economic freedom. They go hand in hand. They serve the liberation not only of countries and cultures, but also women who, one hundred years ago left any country short on its claim of true democracy by prohibiting them the ballot and/or the right to economic freedom and ownership.
David Landes' "Wealth and poverty of nations" made this case from an historic perspective. Countries and their people and institutions need to be able to produce things of value, educate their young, innovate in their methods, emulate success, discriminate based on merit, and allow people the right to retain (some or much of) the fruit of their labor. Globalization and capitalism, like democracy, are the worst of all possible forms of economics, except, as Churchill advised, for all other forms of economics that have been tried from time to time.
All these data and global views can be a bit dry at times and it should be safe to assume that English is not Norberg's first language (although he writes better than most American university students with English as their first language!) yet it is well worth the detail. He questions conventional (i.e., casual) wisdom. Anecdotes are illustrative and global.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Nothing new...
First of all, is this book really necessary? Doesn't global capitalism rule the world right now? Anyway, it's an interesting read for all right-wingers that want to hear safe and familiar stuff without too many unpleasant surprises. Also left-wingers and liberals can have some use of this book. Because it's a good chance to get to know your enemy. And all you treacherous liberals can relax now; there isn't much to be afraid of. The book is very much the usual mix of right-wing economic theories described as absolute universal truths and a bunch of disconnected diagrams that could prove whatever you want. Many of his statements are, to say the least, dubious. For example - Norberg states that capitalism is the main reason workers has it better nowadays than before. I think that that statement will make many workers from the last century start laughing in their graves. That's a bit too easy & bias. I can admit that to a lesser extent there is some truth to that statement, but without labor unions workers would still be working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week with lousy wages and without any social benefits. Just ask many workers in the third world about that. In those parts of the world many companies still harass and kill organized workers.
Johan Norberg also tends to purposely use the word capitalism instead of the word democracy. But I know several capitalistic countries/regions that are at the very best dysfunctional democracies. Places like Singapore, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. You can also argue that people like Murdoch and Berlusconi are using capitalism to suppress democracy. I think it would be interesting with a discussion why it would be better with huge corporations like Microsoft and Monsanto monitoring and controlling us than governments. Johan Norberg doesn't like the term corporate dictatorship. But many corporations strive towards bigger unities with a monopoly as an ideal finishing point. I think that monopoly is dictatorship and it is also a very real part of capitalism. Norberg is only talking about capitalism in a very utopian way. If it doesn't work, then it's not capitalistic enough. That's a very easy way out of every problem that turns up in his argumentation. If you're a communist you can use the same argument by saying that the Soviet Union failed because it wasn't communistic enough!!
It is a very ideological text and Johan Norberg seems to have a complete trust in all corporations and companies desire to do good deeds for humanity. I don't share that trust. But some of Norbergs views are very important even for a liberal as myself - like peoples right to free movement and noticing the huge problems that the industrialized countries protectionism and subsidies creates for third world countries. I recommend that you read it together with Joseph Stiglitz "Globalization & its discontents" for a really interesting experience.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Norberg deserves a nobel prize
Excellent book, I would like to shove this book down the throats of all the idiots who protest free trade and globilization, and on the other end of the spectrum, down the throats of the beauracrats who hold the process up.I only wish there was a way to enforce the profound and common sense ideals that lie within this book.
I am a conservative who is now in full support of free trade. Why rob citizens of third world countries of the same opportunities we have in America? Through free trade democracy can take form in the weakest of societies and everyone as a whole can benefit, it begets education, security, and all of the other luxuries we take for granted. I hope to see in my lifetime the ideals in this book take hold in every corner of the world.
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