Rules for the Global Economy

by Horst Siebert, Gary Hufbauer (Foreword by)

Overview

Rules for the Global Economy is a timely examination of the conditions under which international rules of globalization come into existence, enabling world economic and financial systems to function and stabilize. Horst Siebert, a leading figure in international economics, explains that these institutional arrangements, such as the ones that govern banking, emerge when countries fail to solve economic problems on their own and cede part of their sovereignty to an international order. Siebert demonstrates that the rules result from a trial-and-error process—and usually after a crisis—in order to prevent pointless transaction costs and risks.


Using an accessible and nonmathematical approach, Siebert links the rules to four areas: international trade relations, factor movements, financial flows, and the environment. He looks at the international division of labor in the trade of goods and services; flow of capital; diffusion of technology; migration of people, including labor and human capital; protection of the global environment; and stability of the monetary-financial system. He discusses the role of ethical norms and human rights in defining international regulations, and argues that the benefits of any rules system should be direct and visible. Comprehensively supporting rules-based interactions among international players, the book considers future issues of the global rules system.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691170923
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	06/28/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Horst Siebert (1938-2009) was the Heinz Nixdorf Professor in European Integration and Economic Policy at Johns Hopkins University's SAIS Bologna Center in Italy. His books include The World Economy, Economics of the Environment, and The German Economy (Princeton).

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface ix

Chapter I: The Concept of aWorld Economic Order 1

Chapter II: Globalization and Its Impact on the International Rule System 20

Chapter III: How Rules Are Established 32

Chapter IV: How Rules Are Stabilized 50

Chapter V: Rules for International Product Markets 75

Chapter VI: Rules for Border-Crossing Factor Movements 100

Chapter VII: Rules for the Global Environment 121

Chapter VIII: Preventing Financial Instability 150

Chapter IX: Avoiding Currency Crises 177

Chapter X: Ethical Norms, Human Rights, Fairness, and Legitimacy: Restraints for the International Rule System 197

Chapter XI: Interdependence of Orders, Structure of the Rule System, and Institutional Fit 215

Chapter XII: Major Challenges to the Rule System in the Future 231

References and Further Reading 249

Index 263

What People are Saying About This

Scott Barrett

Interactions among countries are mediated by rules. Examples include the rules for trade, the flow of finance, financial stability, the environment, and human rights. Siebert's new book not only explains what these regulations are, but why they exist and, more importantly, why they change over time. The perspective taken by the book is as simple as it is powerful: rules evolve to reduce transactions costs. Siebert has written an intellectually exciting and wise book—a guide for devising the rules needed to address many of today's great challenges.
— Scott Barrett, Columbia University

Gary Hufbauer

Officials who are tasked with translating the G-20 aspirations into new rules will greatly benefit from Siebert's sound analysis. The rest of us can use Siebert as a guide to distinguish between rules that genuinely answer the needs of our new era and fluffy wisps in the sky.
— from the foreword by Gary Hufbauer, Peterson Institute for International Economics

Andre Sapir

This brilliant exposition by a leading economist explains why globalization requires global rules. The author's argument is based on the German school of liberalism that emphasizes the need for the state to provide standards for the proper working of a market economy.
— Andre Sapir, Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Ingo Walter

This is an iconoclastic and interesting work. Arguing that a rules-based interaction among global players is critical for achieving the gains promised by globalization, Siebert applies this notion to each of the major areas of the international system. The book's arguments are consistent and relevant for policy, especially with respect to trade and the environment.
— Ingo Walter, New York University

From the Publisher

"Interactions among countries are mediated by rules. Examples include the rules for trade, the flow of finance, financial stability, the environment, and human rights. Siebert's new book not only explains what these regulations are, but why they exist and, more importantly, why they change over time. The perspective taken by the book is as simple as it is powerful: rules evolve to reduce transactions costs. Siebert has written an intellectually exciting and wise book—a guide for devising the rules needed to address many of today's great challenges."—Scott Barrett, Columbia University

"This brilliant exposition by a leading economist explains why globalization requires global rules. The author's argument is based on the German school of liberalism that emphasizes the need for the state to provide standards for the proper working of a market economy."—André Sapir, Université Libre de Bruxelles

"Officials who are tasked with translating the G-20 aspirations into new rules will greatly benefit from Siebert's sound analysis. The rest of us can use Siebert as a guide to distinguish between rules that genuinely answer the needs of our new era and fluffy wisps in the sky."—from the foreword by Gary Hufbauer, Peterson Institute for International Economics

"This is an iconoclastic and interesting work. Arguing that a rules-based interaction among global players is critical for achieving the gains promised by globalization, Siebert applies this notion to each of the major areas of the international system. The book's arguments are consistent and relevant for policy, especially with respect to trade and the environment."—Ingo Walter, New York University

Editorial Reviews

"A useful contribution to the international economics literature."-- "Choice"

From the Publisher

"A useful contribution to the international economics literature."

Choice