In this much-needed book, Graham Dunkley challenges the oft-repeated notion that free trade and global integration are the best means of development for all nations at all times - an idea that has proved even more misguided in the wake of the global financial crisis. By contrast, Dunkley reveals - through a wide range of statistical analysis and case studies - that at best the evidence is mixed. Looking systematically at issues such as trade-led growth, supply chains and financialization, One World Mania reveals the many problems that over-globalization has caused, often at great human cost. An indispensible guide for anyone wishing to understand the shortcomings of current global economic policies.

In this book Australian economist, Graham Dunkley, explains and critiques the crucial concept of free trade. A policy of free trade is central to today's world-dominating globalization project. The more euphoric globalists uncritically assume that it has universal and unequivocal benefits for all people and countries. And the perpetual negotiations of the World Trade Organization are wholly based on this presumption. Graham Dunkley shows, however, that leading economists have always been more sceptical about free trade doctrine than the dogmatic globalizers realize. There are more holes in free trade theory than its advocates grasp. And the benefits of free trade in practice are more limited and contingent than they acknowledge. He also argues that the World Bank's long-time push for export-led development is misguided. A more democratic world trading order is necessary and possible. And more interventionist, self-reliant trade policies are feasible, especially if a more holistic view of economic development goals is adopted.

In this much-needed book, Graham Dunkley challenges the oft-repeated notion that free trade and global integration are the best means of development for all nations at all times - an idea that has proved even more misguided in the wake of the global financial crisis. By contrast, Dunkley reveals - through a wide range of statistical analysis and case studies - that at best the evidence is mixed. Looking systematically at issues such as trade-led growth, supply chains and financialization, One World Mania reveals the many problems that over-globalization has caused, often at great human cost. An indispensible guide for anyone wishing to understand the shortcomings of current global economic policies.

In this book Australian economist, Graham Dunkley, explains and critiques the crucial concept of free trade. A policy of free trade is central to today's world-dominating globalization project. The more euphoric globalists uncritically assume that it has universal and unequivocal benefits for all people and countries. And the perpetual negotiations of the World Trade Organization are wholly based on this presumption. Graham Dunkley shows, however, that leading economists have always been more sceptical about free trade doctrine than the dogmatic globalizers realize. There are more holes in free trade theory than its advocates grasp. And the benefits of free trade in practice are more limited and contingent than they acknowledge. He also argues that the World Bank's long-time push for export-led development is misguided. A more democratic world trading order is necessary and possible. And more interventionist, self-reliant trade policies are feasible, especially if a more holistic view of economic development goals is adopted.

Free trade lies at the heart of the new era of globalisation. This superb account explains the theory of free trade and how it has been put into practice. The author reviews the history of 20th century trade agreements. He traces what happened to GATT, with its quite narrow ambit, before the USA pushed the world into the Uruguay Round. This renegotiation of the rules of international trade, enshrined in the World Trade Organisation Agreements, is now taking free trade much further than ever before. The author examines the benefits and hidden costs of the WTO Agreements in both economic and non-economic terms. He looks at their implications for weaker economies and their likely consequences in terms of environmental protection, labour standards and political sovereignty. But alternatives do exist, he argues, to an over-reliance on free trade. These include managed trade, fair trade and self-reliant trade. And he sets out a series of innovative proposals for reforming the basic building blocks for managing the global economy - the WTO, IMF and World Bank.