These volumes constitute a unique, inspiring and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practice being pioneered at governmental, NGO and community levels in so many Third World countries. They provide a wealth of information on a large number of particular policies, projects and organizations in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The project is the result of an initiative by UNDP's Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. The process of selection and description has been carried out by Third World Network in Penang headed by Martin Khor, drawing on the detailed knowledge of, amongst others, Claude Alvares of the Other India Press, Roberto Bissio of the Instituto del Tercer Mundo in Uruguay and Berhane Egziabher of the Institute for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia. The practical importance of this three-volume collection is to contribute to the process of replication across the South of the best ideas, practice and ways of organizing. These are based on a number of common principles, including respect for local cultures and knowledge systems; genuine harmony with the natural world; quality outcomes of real benefit to local communities and countries; and equity and democratic involvement. In political terms, this richly variegated and inspiring collection shows us all what some remarkable communities, organizations and governments in the Third World are achieving.

In this optimistic book Martin Khor, director of the influential Third World Network, sets out concrete proposals for what Third World governments can do to shape globalization to their particular circumstances. His book explains what economic globalization means in trade, finance and investment, and shows how globalization is not increasing economic growth in most countries, or reducing inequality and poverty. In the process, Khor refutes the 'one size fits all' policy prescriptions foisted by the World Bank, IMF and WTO on developing countries, arguing that these countries must themselves be allowed to decide when and how to open their economies to the global system. At stake is nothing less than the whole prospect of rapid, just and diversified development in the South, on which prosperity, the environment and an end to mass poverty depend.