National and Internatinal Acclaim – The Collapse of Globalism
FRANCE
La Gazette du Midi, 27 février/5 mars , 2006
“La globalization est apparue dans les années 1970. Des économistes proclamaient les deux ‘vérités’ du néolibéralism : on ne peut arrêter ce mouvement; et toutes les sociétés sont organisées autour d’un seul élément : l’économie. On nous a demandé d’y croire; nous y avons cru. Or la globalisation n’est qu’une idéologie. Et elle n’a rien d’inéluctable. Au contraire, tout montre qu’elle s’estompe. Ceux qui naguère déclaraient que les États-nations devaient se soumettre aux forces économiques clament aujourd’hui qu’on doit les renforcer pour faire face au déesordre miltaire global. Les prophètes de la globalisation qui répétaient : « Privatisez, privatisez, privatisez » avouent désormais qu’ils avaient tort, parce que l’État de droit national reprend de l’importance. Les économistes s’affrontent pour savoir s’il faut alléger ou .renforcer les contrôlles sur les marchés de capitaux. Des Etats-nations de plus en plus forts, comme l’Inde et le Brésil, mettent au défi les idées reçues de l’économie globale. Des laboratoires pharmaceutiques transnationaux naviguent pour éviter les mouvements de citoyens. John Saul décrypte le monde d’aujourd’hui et analyse notre aptitude à choisir la société de demain.”
La Quinzaine Littéraire , 6 avril 2006
“Où va la globalisation? Voilà un ouvrage qui devrait, ou qui pourrait, alimenter un débat sur la réalité et sur le caractère plus ou moins souhaitable de ce processus multiforme et mal défini que l’on appelle la « globalisation ». La réflexion proposée est riche en éléments factuels, en propositions d’interprétations et même en idées brillantes.”
INDIA
Charu Singh , Interview in The Tribune (Chandigarh), 3 December 2006
"His latest, very celebrated book."
D. Murali, The Hindu Business Line, 4 February 2006
“Essential economics, engagingly told!”
T S R Subramanian, Sahara Time, 25 March 2006
“In nearly 300 pages of easy-flowing but brilliantly erudite prose, John Ralston Saul has outlined the history of Globalism, from its birth in the nineteen seventies, its rise, its heyday in the eighties, its decline in the early nineties to its ultimate demise by the turn of the century.”
“The reality is that the rich-poor divide is alarmingly widening in India and providing sustenance to disaffection; movements like naxalism are gathering pace, with potential for catastrophic consequences. In the last few months, after Saul’s book has been released, China is reported to have taken very high level serious policy decisions of far-reaching consequences, giving primacy to removal of poverty, reduction of the rich-poor divide and generally to focus on human development areas. Saul is even more valid on India and China, than he imagines.”
“The book is riveting reading, and cannot be dismissed as at the ravings of a mad man. It should be made required reading fro all Indian policy makers, Indian economists of whatever persuasion and indeed all concerned Indians.”
S R Kasbekar, Free Press Journal (Mumbai), 16 April 2006
“John Ralston Saul’s book analyses the complex nature of globalism in all its relevant aspects. He makes a balance sheet of globalism’s failures and successes through its modest beginnings in the 1970s, its spread in 1980s and its triumph as an ideology (globalism) in the 1990s. He also takes a critical look at recent doubts over globalism as an all-pervading ideology.
As he says, ‘When a grand idea or ideology is fresh and the sailing is easy, even the most serious proponents make all-inclusive claims on its behalf. This grand view makes it easier for them to impose the specific change they want. When things become more complicated, as they do, the same advocates retreat to more modest claims, while still insisting on the central nature of their truth and its inevitability. Many will angrily deny they ever claimed more.’
The trajectory of globalism so far bears out this observation. The real question is: will globalism disappear?
Saul, in this superbly written book, would not like that to happen. But he is no blind advocate of globalism either. He takes a rational view of globalism as an idea, its practice so far, against historical background and geo-political forces that have shaped its trajectory. As he says, ‘So which part of globalism belief will disappear and which will stay, we have no idea.’
He advocates ‘positive nationalism’ that is imbued with right spirit and strong ‘values.’ Knowing each other and acting in the public interest would then be positive nationalism and by extension positive internationalism. There is a whiff of the old vedic idea of the ‘world as one family’ in this expectation. If the expectation materializes, globalism will succeed in crumbling walls of narrow nationalism and pernicious protectionism for a better world of tomorrow.
Much depends on how different nations and peoples look upon globalism. For a fresh understanding of globalism in a new light, John Saul’s book is a must read.”
CANADA
Peter McKenna, National Post, 28 May 2005
“Clearly, this book with its big-picture perspective has much to offer. It is a wonderful read, chock-full of penetrating insights, and Ralston Saul has a magical ability to humanize the complex ideology of globalization and neo-liberalism.”
Lesley Hughes, Winnipeg Free Press, 29 May 2005
Saul makes “a forceful case for [Globalization’s] recent demise.”
“his finest work to date.”
“Saul writes about all this with neither the hard edge of an ideologue nor the smug superiority of one whose elite perch in society allows him special access to power (though indeed, it does). Rather, his arguments, which are bound to bring derision on his head from some who inhabit ivory towers, penthouses and skyscrapers, are offered in prose which is gentle, elegant and steadfastly clinical.”
“Recognizing that the death of an icon as pervasive as globalization may be difficult to accept for both its proponents and its critics, Saul brings together abundant evidence that the idea was coming apart, even as it grew.”
“a fresh and sophisticated analysis.”
“Saul’s post mortem on globalization is a searing account of the chaos, injuries and instability that have followed it. Despite this, he ends on a hopeful note, one that shows great faith in human resilience.”
“The Collapse of Globalism is a seminal book, one that ought to bring international appreciation to its author and to Canada. With this lucid, graceful and humane work, he takes his rightful place among this country’s enduring critical voices: Marshall McLuhan, Harold Innis and Northrop Frye, for example.”
Lawrence Martin, Globe and Mail, 2 June 2005
“John Ralston Saul’s tantalizing new book”
Doug Firby, Calgary Herald, 4 June 2005
“provocative new book”
“an ambitious take-no-prisoners assault on the three-decade-long experiment with global trade. And it is nothing if not courageous.”
“The Collapse of Globalism appeared in Harper’s, generating a storm of debate.”
“an assault on accepted wisdom”
Lynne Van Luven, Times Colonist (Victoria), 12 June 2005
“delightfully witty”
Fernando Espinosa, Embassy ( Ottawa), 13 July 2005
“The Collapse of Globalism is a good attempt to disrupt the monotony and the laziness of contemporary philosophers, politicians and – naturally – diplomacy. The world might not be flat after all, as some would argue, and history has definitely not come to an end as others once claimed.”
Rudyard Griffiths, Toronto Star ( Toronto), 7 August 2005
“You can choose to agree or disagree with Saul as to whether these policies have produced quality of life gains in Canada or eroded our sovereignty and increased social inequality. It’s harder to take issue though with Saul’s devastating account of the impact of economic globalism on the Third World.”
Yvon Paré, Le Quotidien (Saguenay , Québec), 4 mai 2006
“Une réflexion essentielle pour ceux et celles qui commentent l’actualité. Et n’en déplaise aux ‘jovialisants’ de la région et d’ailleurs, l’humanité devra se tourner vers l’écologie et le développement durable si elle veut un avenir. Les Organismes non gouvernementaux (OMG) et les ‘verdoyants’ dessinent le futur de la planète. Mort de la globalisation est un plaisir d’intelligence et de lucidité.”
UNITED STATES
Julian Brookes, Interview in Motherjones, 9 November 2005
Publishers Weekly.com , 24 October 2005
“ A thoughtful and intellectually rigorous study of globalism's rise and, if Saul is correct, imminent fall, the book carries a foreboding tone throughout. Yet, Saul asserts, the economic future may be brighter now that "the idea of choice is back," itself a result of what he deems "positive nationalism." Needless to say, Saul will have no fans among the tax cutters and free trade proselytizers, but his salient analysis is as accessible and relevant to the small shop owner as it is to the CEO of a multinational corporation.”
Michael Maiello , Forbes.com, 21 October 2005
“John Ralston Saul's The Collapse of Globalism brings a new argument to the debate about economic globalization. This is, in itself, a triumph.”
“ There's no indication that Saul hates markets or capitalism, or that he fails to appreciate the good that has been created. He marvels at advances in global communications, and he holds no misplaced nostalgia for the corrupt and oppressive governments that have failed because they were unable to function in the global economy. But The Collapse of Globalism reminds us what the global economy really is--it's something that humans have created, and it's just a part of human society.
Globalization was supposed to deliver a world without borders and its adherents have often said that the power of governments would wane against the more fluid powers of commerce. Saul says that it just isn't so. Governments can make choices, and people aren't required to simply follow what the market dictates, even if it hurts them.
This is the start of a new debate: We made this economy, shouldn’t it serve our interests?”
Lou Dobbs Tonight, 5 October 2005
“One of the world's most imminent philosophers and economists and social thinkers. In The Collapse of Globalism John Ralston Saul challenges conventional orthodoxy by arguing that globalization has run its course, and that nationalism is reasserting itself all over the world.”
Tom Blackburn, Palm Beach Post ( Florida), 19 September 2005
“Mr. Saul has a mean streak that keeps him entertaining, and he’s better at stinging description than soothing solutions. But if you read him, you will think twice before repeating today’s conventional wisdom.”
Molly Ivins, Miami Herald, February 2004
“Saul sees globalism as a failed theology that confuses ethics with morality.”
AUSTRALIA
Natasha Cica, "The Collapse of Globalism" The Age ( Melbourne), 13 August 2005
“In The Collapse of Globalism, Canadian writer John Ralston Saul dissects the warm and blinking corpse of the neo-liberal economic fashion called Globalism.”
“Saul rationally addresses the widespread dissatisfaction niggling at the underbelly of the global growth fetish.”
“Without lapsing into his own brand of essentialism, Saul reminds us there is a lot of globe beyond Anglosphere, more to strategic solutions than Anglothink, and we should widen our frames of cultural and economic reference accordingly.”
“[T]he appealing core of Saul’s message: the journey towards negative nationalism is not inevitable, it is a choice; citizens have some ‘capacity to say no when faced with theoretically inevitable forces.’”
Katherine Kizilos, "Custom-made ideologies" The Age ( Melbourne), 20 August 2005
“The man who wants to change the world. John Ralston Saul looks at life after globalism.”
“an entertaining and wide-ranging account of how economists, corporate leaders and politicians fell under the spell of globalisation.”
Christopher Bantick, Sunday Tasmanian ( Hobart), 21 August 2005
“John Ralston Saul…is broadly regarded as one of the premier thinkers of our age. He is both philosopher and commentator on the nature of contemporary society.”
“His message is one we should listen to carefully. His new thesis is, in a way, a thinking man’s doomsday book. Ralston Saul argues with customary purpose and precision that globalism is all but dead. He suggests that in its place, Western societies have begun to inculcate into their social fabric what he terms ‘positive nationalism.’”
NEW ZEALAND
Brian Fallow, The New Zealand Herald ( Auckland), 7 September 2005
“John Ralston Saul argues in his latest book, The Collapse of Globalism, that that view of the world is already discredited. It is not clear what will fill the vacuum left by the faltering of confidence in globalisation, but Saul is not inclined to mourn the intellectual poverty and arrogance of that mindset. It was a period in which economists got above themselves and were allowed to colonise the space left by a failure of political leadership. Looking at the world through the prism of a particular school of economics, the globalists, as he calls them, believed societies around the world would be taken in new, interwoven and positive directions.”
“He is not an apologist for the anti-globalist movement. His thesis is more subtle and more profound than that.”
Ben Naparstek, The Dominion Post ( Wellington), 17 August 2005
“ Toronto philosopher-king John Ralston Saul is troubled. Early reviews of his new book, The Collapse of Globalism, have been too positive for comfort.
Saul, a long-standing foe of globalisation’s cheerleaders, is used to being the pariah of the establishment. Recently a business journalist likened reading his work to sharing a lift with a suicide bomber. So the plaudits make him wonder whether his message that globalisation is toast hasn’t hit hard enough.
‘I’m used to writing books that ride ahead of the wave,’ says Saul. ‘The reaction is often very negative.’
So why haven’t commentators assumed their usual defensive posture this time around?
‘You get the sense that they’re troubled and not sure what to make of it,’ he says. ‘A lot of senior bankers and politicians feel that this is happening even if they haven’t been able to put their fingers on what it means. So when they read a book like this, they think, ‘There’s an explanation. Is it the right explanation or the only explanation? But a least it’s an attempt to explain the disorder and confusion.’
“Saul is no knee-jerk opponent of capitalism. He believes in a vigorous marketplace based on aggressive competition and risk-taking. Yet for Saul, globalism is the antithesis of the pro-capitalist creed it pretends to be.
‘You have the large technocracies – transnationals with enormous amounts of cash – buying our small and medium-sized corporations as soon as they come on to the horizon,’ says Saul, ‘They’re not very creative themselves so they buy creativity.’”
“Saul argues that we’re living in an ideological vacuum, with globalism passed and with the identity of its successor unclear. He raises the terrifying possibility of globalism giving way to ‘negative nationalism’ – a rise in right-wing populist movements trading in the politics of race and social division.”
“Saul hopes that the void will be filled instead by ‘positive nationalism’, whereby quality of life will supplant the bottom line as the barometer of prosperity. But he’s not making forecasts.
‘We live in an era when people who write books are supposed to make predictions,’ he says. ‘In my view it is more important to ask: what is happening now and why is it happening? Then you get a sense of what you can do.’”
Korea
Mike Weisbart, Korea Times ( Seoul), 31 July 2005
“His main conclusions, namely that globalism is dead and that national governments are reviving their sense of power and authority, go very much against the grain of collected wisdom.”
“the power of the big ideas, ideas that deserve some attention.”
UK
Paul Kennedy, "Current Affairs: The Collapse of Globalism" The Sunday Times ( London), 22 May 2005
“ It is like being raked by a full broadside from HMS Victory.”
Stuart Jeffries,"The prophet of anti-globalism" The Guardian ( London), 9 June 2005
“The Collapse of Globalism and the Reinvention of the World is published in Britain at a moment that would seem to make him right on the geopolitical money.”
“a call for democratic renewal and for a renewed pursuit of the common good.”
Andrew Lynch, The Sunday Business Post ( Dublin), 29 May 2005
“Saul skilfully punctures some of globalisation’s most cherished myths, using a series of case studies to show that the nation state is stronger, not weaker, than it was a decade ago. He also makes the very valid point that cheerleaders such as Friedman ignore values that having nothing to do with the market: national pride, indigenous culture and religious faith.”
Sebastian Bosher, The Ecologist (Dorset), June 2005
“elegantly written and deeply important book.”
“Saul has provided a vital analysis of why globalisation was never inevitable and always destined to fail, and of what will come in its place.”
Martin Jacques, "The end of the world as we know it" The Guardian ( London), 23 July 2005
“There is much to commend his exposition of globalisation, or rather the ideology of globalisation, which he terms ‘globalism’: it is informative, engaging and, above all, bitingly critical.”
“Saul believes globalisation is now in retreat. He is probably right. He likens the present era – or interregnum – to that of the 70s when the old Keynesian system was in growing disarray but the neo-liberal era that was to replace it was neither strong enough nor coherent enough to supplant it. As a consequence, he believes we are now living in something of a vacuum.”
“This is an eminently readable book. The brunt of his argument is surely right and the fact that the material is relatively familiar is no bad thing: after years of being forced to read text after text, speech after speech, article after article from the same neo-liberal globalisation hymn sheet, it is a breath of fresh air to read the unauthorized version.”
Will Hutton, "What we can teach the French" Observer ( London), 7 August 2005
“As for globalisation, it is not as irresistible as portrayed in [The Last Mitterrand]. The story of the last five years, as John Ralston Saul provocatively argues in the Collapse of Globalism is more its retreat than its advance. Countries are asserting control of their national destinies. Malaysia and Argentina, for example, have both refused to kowtow to the financial markets and prospered. China is industrializing in its very particular fashion.
Even tiny New Zealand has reversed its flirtation with a Thatcherite agenda and prospered. When surveying the world, what is striking its not the uniformity of policy but the diversity. The real choice, declares Ralston Saul, is positive or negative nationalism.”
James Harkin, "The collapse of globalism" The Independent ( London), 20 September 2005
“A decade ago, there was an assumption that globalisation on its own could lift people out of poverty. That braying enthusiasm has given way to no more than a squeak. Saul is right to guard against the credulity of the globalisation gurus, who tend to believe that two countries whose economies are heavily intertwined will never go to war.
He is excellent at conjuring the uncertain atmosphere of the 1970s, in which a resurgent market ideology was to triumph over tired state socialism. The privatizations of the 1980s, he points out, were less about unleashing the market to work miracles than allowing timid big business to cower in safe sectors. Saul has a keen eye for hypocrisy and a pungently dry wit.”
Vera Rule, " Sinking Feelings" The Guardian ( London), 24 June 2006
"Collapse" is a melodramatic word for what Saul itemises patiently and quietly - the present realisation that economics cannot be a religion no matter how devout its paid priesthood; that nation states have not withered despite megacorps; that the market does not a society make. And yes, there is such a thing as society. There had better be, or down we all tumble into Hobbesian chaos. Saul analyses what happened to Malaysia and New Zealand, heretic countries that renounced the neo-liberal faith, but have not yet been consumed by the threatened flames of bankruptcy and depression; and repeatedly returns to the idea that governmental responsibility constitutes true freedom - the power of what he calls "positive nationalism". Sometimes his tangential preoccupations soften the tone too much, but often they remind you that vast, impersonal economic forces are just the massive aggregate of millions of very personal preoccupations. There's a wonderful vignette of the poisoned Viktor Yuschenko's arrival at an EU dinner in Cracow from out of a snowstorm. Economics, like history, is people.
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