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	August 2003				Globalization and its discontents by Joseph Stiglitz. Penguin Books 2003, RRP $24.95
		Globalization and its Discontents review by Joh Kendall
			Globalisation has been very much at the forefront of the news lately. High profile protests at international meetings such as those of the World Trade Organization heighten awareness that globalisation is a controversial force and that it can wreak havoc on the poorer nations. For Christians, the very term may even conjure up images from Revelation (Ch 17) - despotic powers ruling the Earth in the name of Satan. So, how should we feel about globalisation? What does it mean and how is it affecting people around the world? How as Christians should we respond? Stiglitz' book is a good place to start in seeking answers to these questions. The reading is tough-going for non-specialists but is well worth the effort. As an insider, Stiglitz is well-able to expertly describe the international institutions that manage globalisation, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Bank. This malaise He explains their history and original objectives, before explaining how they gradually took on a dogmatic hue that today colours their policy prescriptions. In particular, he covers the IMF's handling of the Asia and Russian crises. He then crafts sensible strategies that would allow globalisation to benefit the vast majority of the world's population that, so far, have been immiserated by its impact. Stiglitz' writings belie a humanist perspective in advocating that we can shape our own destiny and that we should act to overcome this malaise that has infected international institutions - institutions that could be faciliating the economic betterment of humankind. It would be easy to regard the process of globalisation as incidental to Christians during their sojourn here, or as something inherently evil that we should have nothing to do with. However, from an alternative perspective, we can see that our involvement is compatible with Christ-centred living. Jesus, during his time on Earth, had to contend with an uncaring Jewish hierarchy that had completely lost its meaning and purpose. Recall how the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees had twisted God's laws through their dogmatic and narrow-minded thinking. It was more important to give to their institutions instead of helping one's own needy parents (Mark Ch 7:10-13). Had they not turned God's temple into a den of robbers? (Mark Ch 11:17). Had they not trampled God's laws for the sake of tradition (Mark Ch 7:9). Were not the Pharisees incensed because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:4-6), thereby violating their understanding of service to God? The institutions of the day and the people running them had completely lost the plot, forgetting what God really cared about: justice, mercy and faith (Matthew Ch 23:23). Indeed the harshest words Jesus spoke were against the Pharisees and Scribes. Benefits In an uncanny parallel, the international organisations like the IMF have completely succumbed to the greed and narrow perspective of special interests (financial markets and trade). Moreover, they are so bound up in dogma surrounding simplistic free market solutions, without regard for transitional problems or cultural or environmental consequences, that they seriously undermine the good that can come about from globalisation if all nations are allowed to share in its benefits. This is an excellent read and well worth the time to enrich your understanding of the important issues surrounding globalisation.