Adds an interesting historical narrative to the rise of the United States as a hegemon around the middle of the twentieth century. In the WallersteiniAdds an interesting historical narrative to the rise of the United States as a hegemon around the middle of the twentieth century. In the Wallersteinian tradition of world-systems analysis, McCormick documents the ascent to American hegemony with strong emphasis on the beginnings of the process surrounding the era of the first World War (although the author does acknowledge currents towards hegemony as far back as 1870 or so). ...more
When you steal books from Barnes and Noble, I feel you recognize that nearly any mass-produced economics tract deriding free-market capitalism is goi When you steal books from Barnes and Noble, I feel you recognize that nearly any mass-produced economics tract deriding free-market capitalism is going to be a bit simple. If you already have an academic grounding in infant-industries theory or even a somewhat informed critique of globalization, you will most likely read this book in two days. With this said, I had a plane to catch in an hour, little pocket money, and limited options.
Anecdote aside, the reviews below me have well described the broad brush that Chang takes to the more maddening intricacies of global finance. This book could grant a reader new to the topic a set of bearing to reach a more thorough understanding or at least enough knowledge of the annals of international economics to have a superficial conversation at Thanksgiving.
Arguably the strongest concept from the work is the historical research that supports the claim that we have kicked away the ladder. Drawing a surprisingly strong narrative of protectionism and nationalism in the countries that are now strong proponents of free trade provides weight to an anti-globalization critique that isn't often discussed at length (although by no means is Bad Samaritans the strongest text on this argument).
It's a good read for folks with a beginner to lower-intermediate knowledge of international finance and globalization. The reader should also possess a strong stomach (which this reviewer lacks) for reform as deus ex machina for the faults and contradictions in late capitalism. ...more
Although the paperback art (featured on this page) is hardly betrays it, this book is a powerful contribution to the discussion of power and social c Although the paperback art (featured on this page) is hardly betrays it, this book is a powerful contribution to the discussion of power and social change. Although certainly not removed from the Marxist intellectual lineage, Holloway allows for more time with the more difficult concepts and provides an extensive bibliography to orient the reader towards the origin of his own academic frameworks. If you have a basic understanding of historical /dialectical materialism, class consciousness, and historical actor, you'll be able to certainly work through the text. A deeper knowledge of Adorno&Horkheimer's negative dialectics, the concept of Totality, and various Marxist contemporaries (Gramsci, etc.) will lend itself to less re-reading. The charges of jargon and opacity by other reviewers are certainly not unfounded, however, it has never appeared to me that Holloway has opted to use an intellectually inaccessible description when a simple explanations would suffice and the clarity granted to the reader is well worth opening up a book or two for further comprehension.
With all of this said, very few books have confronted my preconceptions about a topic so completely. In all honesty, this book changed my life. The conceptual frameworks I've drawn from the text has provided for a more thorough examination of questions of revolution, structure, capitalism, and violence. I strongly recommends this book to anyone who interested in social change, by reform or revolt.
(If you have any questions while reading this text or would just like to speak with someone who has also read the book, feel free to message me!)...more
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