Globalization and Free Trade

Outlines the history of the expansion and globalization of national economies and explains how globalization evolved. This volume reviews issues surrounding globalization, and presents case studies on several countries - including the US, East Asia, Brazil, Russia, and China - to illustrate promise and the problems inherent in globalized markets. This is a first-stop resource on the expansion of global trade.Globalization is a popular buzzword these days, yet it means very different things to different people. In today's globalized economy, an article of clothing is likely made in several different countries. For example, the raw material, such as cotton or wool, is produced in one country. Then the raw material may be shipped to a second country where it is woven into cloth. The woven fabric may then be sent to a third country where it is cut to a clothing pattern. The cut pieces are often shipped to yet a fourth country to be sewn together and assembled into an article of clothing. Only then is the final product put on the market for sale.""Globalization and Free Trade"" outlines the history of the expansion and globalization of national economies and explains how globalization evolved to its present state. This informative volume reviews current issues surrounding globalization, and presents case studies on several countries - including the United States, East Asia, Brazil, Russia, and China - to illustrate both the promise and the problems inherent in today's globalized markets.

With calls for measures that purport to protect low income workers growing louder in the West, it is essential that the economic arguments in favour of free trade and globalization are re-emphasised. Protectionism is back on the agenda as the financial crisis deepens. With calls for measures that purport to protect low income workers growing louder in the West, it is essential that the economic arguments in favour of free trade and globalization are re-emphasised. Philip Booth and Richard Wellings have brought together key papers originally published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, which, for the past 50 years, has been vigorously defending the case for free trade, and for globalization more generally. These important papers, which are not widely available, trace the development of the debate on the benefits of free trade during the last 50 years. The editors have written an authoritative introduction which offers a comprehensive overview of the arguments for and against globalization.