Of all the buzzwords in modern politics, one divides opinion like no other: globalisation. Misinterpreted and misunderstood, it has become a convenient scapegoat for the world's various ills, a supposed charter for corporate giants to ride roughshod over democracy, worker's rights and the environment.
But are we really living, as anti-corporate campaigners claim, in a 'brand new world'? Philippe Legrain argues that companies are not actually in control: those who think Nike and Starbucks rule the world should stop believing the hype. We are still free to choose: what we eat, what we wear, how much we spend on our schools and hospitals.
'Open World' is not only a brilliantly accessible and balanced assessment of the pros and cons of globalisation, set to challenge the likes of 'No Logo' and 'The Silent Takeover', it is a spirited and incisive work of socio-economic analysis and a clarion call to the Left to restore its faith in government.
