Product Description

It's rare that a book appears with a fresh perspective on world affairs, but renowned economist Ha-Joon Chang has some startlingly original things to say about the future of globalization. In theory, he argues, the world's wealthiest countries and supra-national institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO want to see all nations developing into modern industrial societies. In practice, though, those at the top are 'kicking away the ladder' to wealth that they themselves climbed. Why? Self-interest certainly plays a part. But, more often, rich and powerful governments and institutions are actually being 'Bad Samaritans': their intentions are worthy but their simplistic free-market ideology and poor understanding of history leads them to inflict policy errors on others. Chang demonstrates this by contrasting the route to success of economically vibrant countries with the very different route now being dictated to the world's poorer nations. In the course of this, he shows just how muddled the thinking is in such key areas as trade and foreign investment. He shows that the case for privatisation and against state involvement is far from proven. And, he explores the ways in which attitudes to national cultures and political ideologies are obscuring clear thinking and creating bad policy. Finally, he argues the case for new strategies for a more prosperous world that may appall the "Bad Samaritans".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #343553 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2001
'A smart, lively and provocative book that offers us compelling
new ways to look at globalization'

Martin Wolf, Financial Times, author of 'Why Globalization Works'
'Every orthodoxy needs effective critics. Ha-Joon Chang is
probably the world's most effective critic of globalization'

Larry Elliott, Economics Editor, Guardian
'a marvellous book. Well researched, panoramic in its scope and
beautifully written... I strongly urge you to read it'

Customer Reviews

Read this book.
There are so many books on poverty out there, they all seem to blur into one....Not Bad Samaritans. This book stands out as far and away the best I've ever read (and I've done post-graduate study in International Development so I've read a lot!). If you are looking for a factually balanced, well written book which is accessible to everyone, pick this!

Dr. Chang is a Professor from Cambridge University, UK and it shows. His views are a product of years of detailed reserach - everything he says is backed up with accurate and balanced data.

I recommend this book to everyone!

Brilliant
Bad Samaritans is a more personal and more polemical book than Ha-Joon Chang's earlier Kicking Away the Ladder, but it is still very restrained compared to most "anti-globalisation" books, and far more effective. Chang is not properly opposed to trade and markets as such, but merely argues that the current economic policies supported by the IMF and wealthy countries are hindering development and creating poverty. He bases this view not only on his very rigorous research into comparative development over his years as an economics professor, but also on his direct experience of his native South Korea's development.

Chang's brilliant riposte to Thomas L. Friedman, in the chapter "The Lexus and the Olive Tree Revisited" is worth more than the very modest cost of the book on its own. While the economics is spot-on, and very well informed, the style is easy to read, and just right for the general reader.

Another excellent economics book by Chang
Bad Samaritans is a more personal and more polemical book than Ha-Joon Chang's earlier Kicking Away the Ladder, but it is still very restrained compared to most "anti-globalisation" books, and far more effective. Chang is not properly opposed to trade and markets as such, but merely argues that the current economic policies supported by the IMF and wealthy countries are hindering development and creating poverty. He bases this view not only on his very rigorous research into comparative development over his years as an economics professor, but also on his direct experience of his native South Korea's development.

Chang's brilliant riposte to Thomas L. Friedman, in the chapter "The Lexus and the Olive Tree Revisited" is worth more than the very modest cost of the book on its own. While the economics is spot-on, and very well informed, the style is easy to read, and just right for the general reader.