Cohen Books

I have liked Daniel Cohen's work since 1996 when I first read his paper "Tests of the `convergence hypothesis': some further results" published in the Journal of Economic Growth (September). So, I came to the current book with a positive preconception - and I am glad to say I was not disappointed.

The provocative title of the book is misleading to the extent it conveys a black and white message: globalization on one side; its enemies on the other. Not so. The central point is an argument against the false notion that the wealth and income disparities between the West and the Third World resulted from either religious differences or exploiter-exploited relationships between the two regions. The book points out that what some have interpreted as the result of evildoing on the part of the West are simply impacts of unintended consequences of technology. The book uses an example from Algeria where a technology like DDT intended for mosquito eradication and therefore malaria and typhoid elimination had the indirect effect of allowing a population growth which needed more food, which needed more land and other resources to grow the food, and in the end resulted in inequalities and reduced happiness. The example makes clear that the consequences of globalization "transcend the simple categories of Good and Evil" (pp. 2-3).

Globalization is not a monolithic and one-time phenomenon; instead it is a sequential and systematic Westernization of the globe that began with the "discovery" of America in the 15th century, was expanded by the English merchants in the 18th century, and has picked up pace to-date. During its early phases globalization brought to non-Western regions both cures (e.g., medicine) and infections (e.g. smallpox), but it is not so clear that all that was intentional. What is clear is that globalization dashed expectations in that many ended up disappointed that after voluntarily abandoning their cultures for Western civilization, they soon discovered, for example, that "far from delivering the free entry and transparency dreamed of by economists, the socalled information society creates its own barriers, replacing those that technology breaks down. [Thus], the enemies of globalization are arrayed in two opposed camps. One camp ... is that of the Mullahs who denounce the Westernization of the world. The other camp is that of [those] who fight the exploitation of workers by capital." (p. 5). However, the two arrays are simplifications because "to understand the current act of globalization within the confines of religion or exploitation is to miss globalization's singularity" (p. 6). The [] added.

Following Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel, among others, Chapter 1 debunks explanations of world disparities in terms of pre-destinies such as genetics and geographies. I detect some hedging here, but the book finally settles on the importance of "initial conditions". For example, countries with large amounts of land can accommodate many people who invent more products and services, which makes endogenous growth both possible and sustainable.

Chapter 2 and 3 sketch the phases of globalization and conclude that globalization has become increasingly "immobile". It is no longer just a function of the international division of labor. The international division of labor can lead to unequal terms of trade in which, technically speaking, the Northern working class exploits the Southern class but blame ends up on the feet of international capital. The current globalization act has additional aspects like global equality of tastes and preferences along with disappearing distance and corresponding costs. Hence, winners in this phase are those at or closest to the center of the economic activity in terms of both production and consumption.

How did the observed differences arise? The answer is not clear here. It is clear, however, that it is not because of the "clash of civilizations". The clash of civilization is a myth based on the fact that there has always been active cross-fertilization and learning among world cultures. Civilizations that crashed are those that closed themselves off from others and withdrew into self-imposed isolation in either proud contentment or loathing of foreigners. China is one good example that appears now to have learned its lesson. Another example is the "indigenous growth" model that African and Latin American countries adopted upon their independence. The new republics invested heavily in "white elephants" for which the rate of returns remain negative. I like the distinction Cohen makes between "indigenous growth" and "endogenous growth". The latter is driven by economic "levers" such as human capital, physical capital, "global efficiency", and international trade. The emphasis is appropriate because, in praising the strengths of the Japanese model many seem to ignore that endogenous aspects have dominated Japan's indigenous growth.

What are the sources of the enmity toward globalization? There are many and Chapters 6 and 7 outline two. One source is that some (mostly Eroupean countries) equate globalization with empire building - American empire (Chapter 6). In some way their perspective has basis in history; after all Portugal, Spain, and England have been there and done all that. Their lesson was that empires are doomed and their longevity finite. A second and final source of enmity toward is that the benefits of globalization are tilted towards the North, while the South is under pressure from AIDS and Debt (Chapter 7). These two sources illustrate that " the problem of globalization up to now is it has altered people's expectations more than it has increased their ability to act" (p. 166). Without the ability to meet expectations, " for the majority of the poor inhabitants of our planet, globalization remains an inaccessible idea" (p. 166), and "the world will never be `just' as long as people do not have the conviction that they all contribute to discovering and molding a shared destiny" (` p169). Great job!

H. V. Amavilah, Author
Modeling Income Determinants in Embedded Economies : Cross-section Applications to US Native American Economies
ISBN: 1600210465

Donna Cohen has made all the mistakes in sales so that you don't have to...This is the Ultimate HOW TO book highly recommended for B2B (Business to Business) sales...Donna discusses the ways to use your high tech tools to learn about your prospects and their business so that you can develop an approach and a questioning process that instantly connects you with them (Chapter Six - "It's About THEM, not us!).

Donna will hold the mirror for you while you take a look at your attitude about your prospects, the sales profession and yourself!

Buy this book if you want the real questions to ask in real world selling situations...You follow the selling system presented step by step in this book and you will make more sales. Period.

Buy this book at amazon.com or at relateselling.com

I have always wanted a guide that is written for children! The Go2Guides are perfect. So much information is a colorful and unique guide. My children are adopted from China and we are planning a trip back to see and learn about their country and heritage. These guides gave them so much critical and interesting information. I especially like that there are guides for the different age levels. My thirteen year old loved hers and my 6 year old was thrilled with her guide. It was obvious that each were written with the age level, interest level, and reading level in mind! I can't recommend them enough. Even if you never travel to China, the Go2Guides wonderful to expose your children do different countries. I am looking forward to the next ones!

I have always wanted a guide that is written for children! The Go2Guides are perfect. So much information is a colorful and unique guide. My children are adopted from China and we are planning a trip back to see and learn about their country and heritage. These guides gave them so much critical and interesting information. I especially like that there are guides for the different age levels. My thirteen year old loved hers and my 6 year old was thrilled with her guide. It was obvious that each were written with the age level, interest level, and reading level in mind! I can't recommend them enough. Even if you never travel to China, the Go2Guides wonderful to expose your children do different countries. I am looking forward to the next ones!

I have always wanted a guide that is written for children! The Go2Guides are perfect. So much information is a colorful and unique guide. My children are adopted from China and we are planning a trip back to see and learn about their country and heritage. These guides gave them so much critical and interesting information. I especially like that there are guides for the different age levels. My thirteen year old loved hers and my 6 year old was thrilled with her guide. It was obvious that each were written with the age level, interest level, and reading level in mind! I can't recommend them enough. Even if you never travel to China, the Go2Guides wonderful to expose your children do different countries. I am looking forward to the next ones!

I read this play and dismissed it as trivial, at first; but then something about it stuck with me; and I read it again and found a delightful,challenging and humorous piece of theatr that will lend itself nicely to a compettion setting. I am planning to bring this piece to the EASTERN MASS ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATRE drama festival in May of 2000. I would love to hear from the author sometime!

Great Houses of Chicago is a treat to read, or to simply browse through. Filled with images of the magnificent homes that once were, or still remain, a part of my city, it is a book that I'd recommend to any lover of Chicago history or urban architecture.

I picked this book up at a second hand store when i was about eight, and i have been reading it for many years, each time just as fascinated as the last. It tells of all the great monsters. Those of the sea, nessie, yeti, bigfoot... I must say that even though the reding level is pretty young, everyone will like this book.

Guides for an Age of Confusion contrasts and compares the views of two great Jewish thinkers, exploring the social and religious issues confronting modern Jewish people and considering the evolution of Jewish religion and rituals in the face of modern times. What evolves is an excellent portrait of Jewish life and times.

Hi! I love this book, every activity has a picture, so you know how to do it properly. I love that it does not require to buy tons of toys! One piece of advice though, there are two other Gymboree Play & Music, one for babies, and one for toddlers... buy this book instead of those two, its cheaper, and they have exactly the same!!!

My baby is 3 months old, and ejoys this activities so much!!!! We have a daily schedule to develop different areas!!!! Its a great companion for play time, and I really, really, really recommend it!!!

Take care, and have a nice day!!!