Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order
In the wake of World War II, a number of institutions designed to promote a liberal global economic and geopolitical order were established—the International Monetary Fund, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (forerunner of the World Trade Organization), and the World Bank in the economic sphere, and the United Nations in the geopolitical realm. Although these organizations were far from perfect, their actions promoted rising living standards and political freedoms for all. Liberalism thus reengineered represented a fundamental bet on the supremacy of democracy and the market economy, and spurred the transformation of North America, Western Europe, and Japan into prosperous societies, each with a large and vibrant middle class and a social safety net.

Now, however, this liberal geopolitical and economic order is under attack. The free movement of goods, services, money, people, and information that once formed the recipe for progress under liberalism is blamed by many for rising inequality, mass migrations, and the declining legitimacy of political parties, as well as the fragmentation of global superpower relations. Nationalism, xenophobia, and populism continue to advance at the right and left ends of the political spectrum, eroding the moderate middle ground.

In Rude Awakening, Mauro F. Guillén argues for an improved international arrangement to provide for stability and prosperity. He offers key considerations that a reinvented global liberal order must address—from finding a balance between markets and governments to confronting present realities, such as rapid technological change and social inequality, to recognizing that Europe and the United States can no longer attempt by themselves to steer the global economy. Rude Awakening affirms the potential of liberalism still to provide a flexible framework for governments, businesses, workers, and citizens to explore and make necessary compromises and coalitions for a better future.

1128073093
Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order
In the wake of World War II, a number of institutions designed to promote a liberal global economic and geopolitical order were established—the International Monetary Fund, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (forerunner of the World Trade Organization), and the World Bank in the economic sphere, and the United Nations in the geopolitical realm. Although these organizations were far from perfect, their actions promoted rising living standards and political freedoms for all. Liberalism thus reengineered represented a fundamental bet on the supremacy of democracy and the market economy, and spurred the transformation of North America, Western Europe, and Japan into prosperous societies, each with a large and vibrant middle class and a social safety net.

Now, however, this liberal geopolitical and economic order is under attack. The free movement of goods, services, money, people, and information that once formed the recipe for progress under liberalism is blamed by many for rising inequality, mass migrations, and the declining legitimacy of political parties, as well as the fragmentation of global superpower relations. Nationalism, xenophobia, and populism continue to advance at the right and left ends of the political spectrum, eroding the moderate middle ground.

In Rude Awakening, Mauro F. Guillén argues for an improved international arrangement to provide for stability and prosperity. He offers key considerations that a reinvented global liberal order must address—from finding a balance between markets and governments to confronting present realities, such as rapid technological change and social inequality, to recognizing that Europe and the United States can no longer attempt by themselves to steer the global economy. Rude Awakening affirms the potential of liberalism still to provide a flexible framework for governments, businesses, workers, and citizens to explore and make necessary compromises and coalitions for a better future.

29.95 In Stock
Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order

Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order

by Mauro F. Guillén
Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order

Rude Awakening: Threats to the Global Liberal Order

by Mauro F. Guillén

Hardcover

$29.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 1-2 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

In the wake of World War II, a number of institutions designed to promote a liberal global economic and geopolitical order were established—the International Monetary Fund, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (forerunner of the World Trade Organization), and the World Bank in the economic sphere, and the United Nations in the geopolitical realm. Although these organizations were far from perfect, their actions promoted rising living standards and political freedoms for all. Liberalism thus reengineered represented a fundamental bet on the supremacy of democracy and the market economy, and spurred the transformation of North America, Western Europe, and Japan into prosperous societies, each with a large and vibrant middle class and a social safety net.

Now, however, this liberal geopolitical and economic order is under attack. The free movement of goods, services, money, people, and information that once formed the recipe for progress under liberalism is blamed by many for rising inequality, mass migrations, and the declining legitimacy of political parties, as well as the fragmentation of global superpower relations. Nationalism, xenophobia, and populism continue to advance at the right and left ends of the political spectrum, eroding the moderate middle ground.

In Rude Awakening, Mauro F. Guillén argues for an improved international arrangement to provide for stability and prosperity. He offers key considerations that a reinvented global liberal order must address—from finding a balance between markets and governments to confronting present realities, such as rapid technological change and social inequality, to recognizing that Europe and the United States can no longer attempt by themselves to steer the global economy. Rude Awakening affirms the potential of liberalism still to provide a flexible framework for governments, businesses, workers, and citizens to explore and make necessary compromises and coalitions for a better future.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780812250442
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.
Publication date: 05/01/2018
Pages: 168
Product dimensions: 5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mauro Guillen is the Dr. Felix Zandman Professor of International Management in the Wharton School and the Anthony L. Davis Director of The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He is author of numerous books, including The Architecture of Collapse: The Global System in the 21st Century.

Read an Excerpt

Preface

Writing a book is a way of coming to terms with a topic. I had difficulty understanding why in recent years so many people turned away from the principles of liberalism. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the spread of democracy, and the successes of the market economy in at least some parts of the emerging world, it seemed to me that liberal economic and political ideas had demonstrated their power to deliver better standards of living in a free society. The most recent financial crisis, the rise of inequality, and the proliferation of political corruption quickly came to my mind as important reasons why so many people felt disenchanted. It seemed to me that technological change also played a role in the increasing economic and social dislocation all around us.
I was puzzled and concerned by the growth of parties on the far right and the radical left of the political spectrum, and by how quickly so many voters flocked to populist and nationalist proposals, shunning traditional parties and the political establishment. I had an overwhelming sense that we were approaching the end of an era guided by liberal principles.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. How Did We End up Here?
Chapter 2. The Rude Awakening
Chapter 3. New Actors Enter the Stage
Chapter 4. Allocating the Blame
Chapter 5. What Needs to Be Done?

Notes
Index

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews