Sorry, but what is mariburjeka?

Jane.

Hi Philippe,
I haven't read the book yet but I just read a review and I find it quite interesting. I wanted to add two points based on what I read in the review. Firstly, open borders will work only if there are no public benefits for first generation immigrants at the very least. Free immigration and welfare states are incompatible and this is why the USA has less trouble even with its wave of illegal immigrants than does Europe for example which is a magnet to immigrants hoping to enjoy the many benefits of a welfare state. This contrast between the USA (where illegal immigrants contribute handsomely to the US economy) and Europe (where many legal immigrants are a drain on the welfare states) is a good illustration of the importance of not mixing open borders and welfare states.
Secondly, I do not think that enforcing temporary immigration is possible or even desirable because it goes against the very grain of economic freedom. Most immigrants who migrate from poor countries will never like to go back to their home countries. The very few that do go back do so for economic reasons. Many Indian Americans in the US are now moving back to India because the lure of large growth and untapped opportunities is proving to be irresistible for them.

thanks
girish

I read 'Open World' over a year ago - and loved it!

The book is everything a political work should be: well-argued, factual, persuasive and interesting. All too often, and frequently on the Left, talk about Globalisation is simply lazy. We need to get away from those cliches, such as claims that it destroys nations and living standards. 'Open World' proves it doesn't.

It's no surprise to see Martin Wolf's name mentioned on this web-site. His book 'Why Globalisation Works' is equally thorough and detailed.I liked how Wolf explained that Globalisation can work with social-democracy, rather than against it. The Left need to know this.

Read both books, if you havn't - soon!

For anyone who is looking for a quick and accessible insight into the
minefield that is globalisation, this is the book for you. Legrain explains
clearly and convincingly why globalisation is generally a good thing. But he
is not starry-eyed about it: he thinks it can be improved in all sorts of
ways. Open World is a refreshing change from the simplistic globalisation is
good/bad conventional wisdom. Buy it.

A very good book, would be my initial view. It does make a strong argument for the possibilities of globalisation, and Mr Legrain is no fool to try and assert the view that globalisation is currently being used to its full and most utilitarian potential.

Not solely a fight back against the likes of Naomi Klein, Mr Legrain puts forward many strong points and compelling arguments — but it must be mentioned that being an Economist it is quite obvious that a lot of the same arguments are based primarily in economics and do not fully assess and at points only brushes the surface on the social aspects of the problems.

But even with this view in mind it is well worth the read and a nice addition to the collection.

Legrain's book is intended explicitly as a counter to the anti-globalisation tracts of Naomi Klein, Noreena Hertz et al. He combines a travelogue from developing countries such as Vietnam with an impassioned argument in favour of the liberalisation of trade as a necessary tool for third-world development.

Although an economist, Legrain's argument is as clear and understandable to the layman as to the expert. Free trade, he points out, enables countries to concentrate their resources on industries in which they can specialise, increasing productivity and, with it, directly contributing to the removal of poverty. Not only is it beneficial to the third world, it also aids Western growth by shifting jobs towards higher-value industries. Protectionism, he argues, is no defender of jobs; in fact, it imposes a regressive charge on the taxpayer in keeping prices high while closing markets to the countries which desperately need access to them. He also directly attacks the misconceptions and inaccuracies promoted by the likes of Klein, for instance her bizarre assertion that the financial crisis of 1998 wiped out the Asian tiger economies and rendered their achievements worthless.

Unlike some pro-globalisation books, Legrain's viewpoint is emphatically that of the liberal-left; he believes globalisation can be used as a positive tool to work towards common goals to the benefit of all. He harbours no illusions that the current constitution of globalisation is perfect; in particular, he criticises the WTO's TRIPS agreement for enforcing rich-world drugs patents in countries which desperately need, but cannot afford, medicine. He also censures the IMF for its universalist strictures on the opening of capital flows, the case for which, he argues, must be kept separate from that for free trade.

As an argument, this book is highly convincing. It has been noted by others that Legrain's writing is of an easy tabloid style. This is true, but this book deserves to be popular and reads punchily and effectively. A purely structural problem is sometimes that the 'travelogue' parts of the book are somewhat uneasily fitted around the informational and polemical sections, but they do not lessen its overall impact on the reader.

I highly recommend Open World for anyone of internationalist principles who wish to read a lucid argument in favour of the role of trade in enriching rich and developing worlds alike.

A useful book, full of facts about the benefits of globally integrated trade, but written in the brusque, no-nonsense style that economists like to affect. For someone as young as Philippe Legrain, this can come across as arrogant rather than authoritative. Legrain likes to dismiss ideas he disagrees with as "nonsense", or "claptrap", or "deluded". He expresses astonishment at the naivety and stupidity of anti-globalisers, pouring scorn on their muddled arguments. Yes, the Kleins and Monbiots of this world deserve to be skewered, but Legrain has some questionable beliefs of his own. Take for example his touching faith in the ability of government to deal with every nasty side effect of globalisation. Some segments of society getting left behind? Easy, increase social spending! (Page 45.) Well, this reviewer, for one, is not convinced. If you want to chastise anti-globalisers, by all means use Legrain's facts. But don't uncritically accept every one of his ready answers to the challenges of globalisation.