One World: The Ethics of Globalization

Rating:
Summary: Nuanced view of globalization.
Review: Singer does an excellent job laying down what is wrong and what is right about our global economic bodies.

Most enlightening for me was Singer's treatment of the WTO. He points out our need for it in regulating international trade and then attacks its major flaw, which is the WTO's interpretation of its charter. This interpretation allows countries to discriminate against imports based on the quality of the product but not on the nature of the process by which they are made. Thus a country cannot levy tarrifs or ban an import if it's production does not comply with said country's ethical standards.

Perhaps most importantly Singer lays down a solid philosophical/ethical framework to follow when deciding how to shape our world bodies in the future.

Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: This book does a wonderful job of collecting the views of Peter Singer and showing how they apply to the Globalism debate.

He is brilliant, and one of only a few philosophers who also write well!

Rating:
Summary: Reasonably good, but not a must-buy
Review: This book follows the style that is typical of Peter Singer's other works. I found his thoughts on the United Nations to be the most thought provoking; however, as he has already dealt considerably with the obligations of the rich to the poor in his other books and articles - I think his effort would have been better spent if the entire book focused on the United Nations and organizations like the WTO and IMF and the World Bank.

He goes on to spell out some concerns with the undemocratic nature of these organizations (with the UN, it's specifically the Security Council). However, I would like more time to be spent on why the undemocratic nature of these organizations is problematic. (The US isn't completely democratic either - it's a constitutional republic with certain safeguards against the possibility of a tyranny of a majority. The permanent seat-holders within the UN security council have a veto-power that is supposed to offer similar protections against misuses of democracy. Often criticized, the US uses this veto power often to protect Israel - is this a defense of the undemocratic nature of the UN? Or is this evidence of its corruption and ineffectiveness?)

The book's focus is on two aspects of globalization: the obligation of wealthy individuals to poor ones, and the obligation of wealthy states to poor ones. His feelings of ethical responsibility are derived from his consequentialist commitments as a utilitarian. He arrives at his conclusions through his mind-numbingly logical arguments. The clincher: unlike other moral theorists, he practices what he preaches. Peter Singer donates a substantial portion of his income towards charities and overseas-aid organizations.

Rating:
Summary: Globo-Lying
Review: While I will certainly finish the book, so far I have read only the Preface to the second edition.

It is a fabric woven of gross distortions, lies, misleading simplifications, evasions, and evident falsehoods.

Worse, Professor Singer is far too well-informed, and far too bright, for any of this to be unintended.

It is a great misfortune that this book, like his others, will be read, discussed, and admired around the world.

But, if the preface is a fair indication, it is a pack of shameful lies.

Rating:
Summary: Globo-Lying
Review: Who would ever think of making a comparison between the hijacked planes slamming into the WTC and the day-to-day pollution created by SUV exhausts? Yet, this is the starting point of Singer's investigation into the ethics of globalization. For Singer they describe important aspects of globalization. He argues that despite the trauma created by 9/11 for people in the US, it was a short, sharp, shocking event killing fewer people than children dying each day around the world from poverty and disease. In the longer term it also pales against the ongoing destruction of our ecosystem threatening humanity's survival as a consequence of our rich lifestyle.

Many books examine the different aspects of "globalization", from the pro- and the anti- perspectives to everything in between. While Singer does not question the realities of an increasingly integrated world, he argues the case for serious scrutiny of the motives underlying the current state of affairs. He urges an overhaul of the principles and standards of globalization politics so that everybody might benefit from it. He is aware of the difficulties in achieving the ideal, and outlines the obstacles candidly. He pleads the case of the 1.2 billion people who live in abject poverty. Their aspirations for a better lifestyle is as legitimate as ours, yet its realization will remain in doubt as long as the industrialized countries refuse to make adjustments to theirs. Singer places his arguments for fairer international systems within historical and moral contexts and suggests practical solutions.

He asks appropriate, pragmatic questions under each of four major themes that define humanity's "one world": environment, economy, law and community. We all share one atmosphere where overexploitation of the environment in the industrialized countries can result in ecosystem destruction in developing countries. We are also increasingly interdependent in the trade and economic systems that may be "free" but not necessarily fair. We claim to have one workable international legal system, but it requires that all states participate to make it effective. Finally, we are all part of a human community, so we need to consider our actions accordingly. Singer challenges our assumptions while dissecting the effects of laissez-faire attitudes among policy makers and corporate leaders. In the chapter "one atmosphere" he elaborates why the US government's refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol is morally unacceptable and totally unethical. His analysis of the reasons is followed by a proposal that builds on four principles of fairness. The thrust of his critique is addressed at the power brokers in today's globalized world and less to the average citizen who is treated more or less as an observer. Still, he provides his readers with solid arguments that they can apply in their dealings with their representatives. His call for engagement in the global ethics debate culminates in the chapter "one community". Here, Singer asks us to contribute towards building a fairer world by very practical means. He analyzes why humans tend to be more caring for those close to home and in their own country. However, he argues that the concept of the `nation state' may become obsolete as global communities develop. He urges the reader to empathize with those in need wherever they are and share of what they can spare with those less fortunate than themselves.

Most of the content of the book was written in 2000 following a lecture series. Singer updated the text prior to publication in the light of 9/11 and recent trends in international trade and politics. While his questions on international trade, focusing particular on the WTO, are relevant, some of his conclusions have been superseded by current developments. His cautious optimism of a fairer trade system for developing countries in the context of the WTO was evidently premature. Similarly, his expectations that the US will in the end join the International Criminal Code and the Kyoto Protocol appear doomed. His hope for a "more democratically controlled system of regulation that promotes minimum standards for environmental protection, worker safety, union rights, and animal welfare" may remain a dream for some time. One World presents a useful overview of the different aspects of ethics and morals that an interdependent globalized is required to confront if it wants to survive and thrive in the future. Read this book for a solid overview of the ethical aspects of globalization. [Friederike Knabe]

Rating:
Summary: Need for change
Review: Who would ever think of making a comparison between the hijacked planes slamming into the WTC and the day-to-day pollution created by SUV exhausts? Yet, this is the starting point of Singer's investigation into the ethics of globalization. For Singer they describe important aspects of globalization. He argues that despite the trauma created by 9/11 for people in the US, it was a short, sharp, shocking event killing fewer people than children dying each day around the world from poverty and disease. In the longer term it also pales against the ongoing destruction of our ecosystem threatening humanity's survival as a consequence of our rich lifestyle.

Many books examine the different aspects of "globalization", from the pro- and the anti- perspectives to everything in between. While Singer does not question the realities of an increasingly integrated world, he argues the case for serious scrutiny of the motives underlying the current state of affairs. He urges an overhaul of the principles and standards of globalization politics so that everybody might benefit from it. He is aware of the difficulties in achieving the ideal, and outlines the obstacles candidly. He pleads the case of the 1.2 billion people who live in abject poverty. Their aspirations for a better lifestyle is as legitimate as ours, yet its realization will remain in doubt as long as the industrialized countries refuse to make adjustments to theirs. Singer places his arguments for fairer international systems within historical and moral contexts and suggests practical solutions.

He asks appropriate, pragmatic questions under each of four major themes that define humanity's "one world": environment, economy, law and community. We all share one atmosphere where overexploitation of the environment in the industrialized countries can result in ecosystem destruction in developing countries. We are also increasingly interdependent in the trade and economic systems that may be "free" but not necessarily fair. We claim to have one workable international legal system, but it requires that all states participate to make it effective. Finally, we are all part of a human community, so we need to consider our actions accordingly. Singer challenges our assumptions while dissecting the effects of laissez-faire attitudes among policy makers and corporate leaders. In the chapter "one atmosphere" he elaborates why the US government's refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol is morally unacceptable and totally unethical. His analysis of the reasons is followed by a proposal that builds on four principles of fairness. The thrust of his critique is addressed at the power brokers in today's globalized world and less to the average citizen who is treated more or less as an observer. Still, he provides his readers with solid arguments that they can apply in their dealings with their representatives. His call for engagement in the global ethics debate culminates in the chapter "one community". Here, Singer asks us to contribute towards building a fairer world by very practical means. He analyzes why humans tend to be more caring for those close to home and in their own country. However, he argues that the concept of the 'nation state' may become obsolete as global communities develop. He urges the reader to empathize with those in need wherever they are and share of what they can spare with those less fortunate than themselves.

Most of the content of the book was written in 2000 following a lecture series. Singer updated the text prior to publication in the light of 9/11 and recent trends in international trade and politics. While his questions on international trade, focusing particular on the WTO, are relevant, some of his conclusions have been superseded by current developments. His cautious optimism of a fairer trade system for developing countries in the context of the WTO was evidently premature. Similarly, his expectations that the US will in the end join the International Criminal Code and the Kyoto Protocol appear doomed. His hope for a "more democratically controlled system of regulation that promotes minimum standards for environmental protection, worker safety, union rights, and animal welfare" may remain a dream for some time. One World presents a useful overview of the different aspects of ethics and morals that an interdependent globalized is required to confront if it wants to survive and thrive in the future. Read this book for a solid overview of the ethical aspects of globalization. [Friederike Knabe]

Rating:
Summary: Stimulous to disagreement
Review: Why is it that I feel like disagreeing with everything Peter Singer says even when most of it makes so much sense? I would agree that having a spouse with different color hair makes it easier to figure out who left hair in the drain. Who is at fault for global warming? For the most part he does not do more than state the various possibilities in this but he does lean towards those possibilities that make the US the bad guy. The WTO is also bad. My overall impression is that eating and using resources is bad (SUV drivers beware!) but that poverty means making it possible for everyone in 3rd world countries to live like people in 1st world countries. But wouldn't that be bad? I think Ricard Sole had a more consistent perspective on this. Our enemy is people. If we got rid of those the environment would be much better off.