Globalization and Justice Book

In the 1990s, as capitalism continued to expand its reach and influence, the term "globalization" came to symbolize not only a more interconnected world, but the process by which a network of powerful financial institutions and multinational corporations gained increasing control over the world economy. While for many in the industrialized West this process has seemed inevitable and all for the good, for other Westerners and for many more in the disadvantaged Third World, globalization appears to be a menacing specter, the means by which already wealthy interests seek to expand their power and control at the expense of poor nations. Will globalization promote or hinder social justice throughout the world? Noting that the dollar value of the world economy has increased fivefold while the number of poeple living in poverty has doubled, philosopher Kai Nielsen persuasively argues that globalization has made and still is making a bad situation worse. While harshly criticizing capitalist globalization, Nielsen contends that democratic socialism is still humanity's best hope for achieving a classless, nonracist, and nonsexist world community. He devotes a number of chapters to a discussion of the critical theory at the core of this vision of an egalitarian international society, and he compares and contrasts his own position with that of such thinkers as Richard Rorty, John Rawls, Jurgen Habermas, G.A. Cohen, and others. In addition to presenting evidence that capitalist globalization is not achieving rising worldwide prosperity, Nielsen also demonstrates the threat globalization poses to democracy. In a world where huge multinational conglomerates hold the purse strings, power is increasingly taken away from independent nation-states and is exercised by corporate boards whose only motive is profit. This well-argued critique of capitalist globalization and defense of democratic socialism as a viable alternative is essential reading for philosophers, political scientists, students of international relations, and anyone concerned about the future of democratic and egalitarian ideals.Read More