Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: One World: The Ethics of Globalization by Peter Singer ISBN: 0-300-09686-0 Publisher: Yale Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (10 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Need for change
Comment: Who would ever think of making a comparison between the hijacked planes slamming into the WTC and the day-to-day pollution created by SUV exhausts? Yet, this is the starting point of Singer's investigation into the ethics of globalization. For Singer they describe important aspects of globalization. He argues that despite the trauma created by 9/11 for people in the US, it was a short, sharp, shocking event killing fewer people than children dying each day around the world from poverty and disease. In the longer term it also pales against the ongoing destruction of our ecosystem threatening humanity's survival as a consequence of our rich lifestyle.
Many books examine the different aspects of "globalization", from the pro- and the anti- perspectives to everything in between. While Singer does not question the realities of an increasingly integrated world, he argues the case for serious scrutiny of the motives underlying the current state of affairs. He urges an overhaul of the principles and standards of globalization politics so that everybody might benefit from it. He is aware of the difficulties in achieving the ideal, and outlines the obstacles candidly. He pleads the case of the 1.2 billion people who live in abject poverty. Their aspirations for a better lifestyle is as legitimate as ours, yet its realization will remain in doubt as long as the industrialized countries refuse to make adjustments to theirs. Singer places his arguments for fairer international systems within historical and moral contexts and suggests practical solutions.
He asks appropriate, pragmatic questions under each of four major themes that define humanity's "one world": environment, economy, law and community. We all share one atmosphere where overexploitation of the environment in the industrialized countries can result in ecosystem destruction in developing countries. We are also increasingly interdependent in the trade and economic systems that may be "free" but not necessarily fair. We claim to have one workable international legal system, but it requires that all states participate to make it effective. Finally, we are all part of a human community, so we need to consider our actions accordingly. Singer challenges our assumptions while dissecting the effects of laissez-faire attitudes among policy makers and corporate leaders. In the chapter "one atmosphere" he elaborates why the US government's refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol is morally unacceptable and totally unethical. His analysis of the reasons is followed by a proposal that builds on four principles of fairness. The thrust of his critique is addressed at the power brokers in today's globalized world and less to the average citizen who is treated more or less as an observer. Still, he provides his readers with solid arguments that they can apply in their dealings with their representatives. His call for engagement in the global ethics debate culminates in the chapter "one community". Here, Singer asks us to contribute towards building a fairer world by very practical means. He analyzes why humans tend to be more caring for those close to home and in their own country. However, he argues that the concept of the 'nation state' may become obsolete as global communities develop. He urges the reader to empathize with those in need wherever they are and share of what they can spare with those less fortunate than themselves.
Most of the content of the book was written in 2000 following a lecture series. Singer updated the text prior to publication in the light of 9/11 and recent trends in international trade and politics. While his questions on international trade, focusing particular on the WTO, are relevant, some of his conclusions have been superseded by current developments. His cautious optimism of a fairer trade system for developing countries in the context of the WTO was evidently premature. Similarly, his expectations that the US will in the end join the International Criminal Code and the Kyoto Protocol appear doomed. His hope for a "more democratically controlled system of regulation that promotes minimum standards for environmental protection, worker safety, union rights, and animal welfare" may remain a dream for some time. One World presents a useful overview of the different aspects of ethics and morals that an interdependent globalized is required to confront if it wants to survive and thrive in the future. Read this book for a solid overview of the ethical aspects of globalization. [Friederike Knabe]
Rating: 4
Summary: Stimulous to disagreement
Comment: Why is it that I feel like disagreeing with everything Peter Singer says even when most of it makes so much sense? I would agree that having a spouse with different color hair makes it easier to figure out who left hair in the drain. Who is at fault for global warming? For the most part he does not do more than state the various possibilities in this but he does lean towards those possibilities that make the US the bad guy. The WTO is also bad. My overall impression is that eating and using resources is bad (SUV drivers beware!) but that poverty means making it possible for everyone in 3rd world countries to live like people in 1st world countries. But wouldn't that be bad? I think Ricard Sole had a more consistent perspective on this. Our enemy is people. If we got rid of those the environment would be much better off.
Rating: 5
Summary: Careful argument from an ethical base.
Comment: Set in the context of globalization both of trade and of the capacity to mount attacks on cultures/communities that you consider to be hostile, Singer examines a selection of key policy decisions and institutions from an ethical viewpoint. These include:
The ethics of a political position that gives absolute priority to the perceived short-term interests of the citizens of one's own country (particularly issues of poverty and environmental protection) - mainly in the Chapters "One Atmosphere" and "One Community", and ending (in "A Better World?") with a brief discussion of issues and alternatives for a better solution to the governance of a single world;
An ethical critique of the World Trade Organization's defence against four key charges - in the Chapter "One Economy";
A similar critique of the arguments advanced by global corporations for trading with dictatorial regimes - also in the Chapter "One Economy"; and
An examination of the basis of international law, in particular the ethical basis for military intervention in another country - in the Chapter "One Law".
A notable feature of the book is the wealth of factual detail that Singer brings to underpin his case. Further, he avoids the trap of mere utopianism by the rigour and practicality of his arguments, while insisting on the importance of the ethical dimension in resolving the issues.
The care with which he lays out his arguments will provide food for thought for both sides of the divide about globalization, while his use of ethics as a touchstone highlights the sad fact that few current global policies, including the Iraq intervention, are ethically defensible.
 |
Title: Alternatives to Economic Globalization by John Cavanagh, Jerry Mander, Sarah Anderson, Debi Barker, Maude Barlow, Walden Bello, Robin Broad, Tony Clarke, Edward Goldsmith, Randy Hayes ISBN: 1576752046 Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Pub Pub. Date: 15 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
 |
Title: Globalization and Its Discontents by Joseph E. Stiglitz ISBN: 0393324397 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
 |
Title: Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen ISBN: 0385720270 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 15 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability by Amy Chua ISBN: 0385503024 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 24 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
 |
Title: Animal Liberation by Peter Singer ISBN: 0060011572 Publisher: Ecco Pub. Date: 18 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
