Editorial Review

Manuel Castells concludes the Information Age trilogy by considering the intersection of the global network society and factional project identities. As always, the scope of Castell's argument is far-ranging. Among the subjects addressed are the collapse of the Soviet Union; the potential emergence of the Asian Pacific as the next region of major world power; and the rapidly increasing growth of a "Fourth World"-- a series of "black holes of informational capitalism" (areas that have been cut off from the flow of wealth and information in the global economy) that refuses to confine itself to national borders--as likely to appear in the American inner city as it is in sub-Saharan Africa. He also raises the specter of a "global criminal economy," a dark counterpart to transnational corporations, and suggests that trends such as fascination with gangster movies "may well indicate the cultural breakdown of traditional moral order, and the implicit recognition of a new society, made up of communal identity and unruly competition."Read more

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Reviews (5)

Sent an old edition
I was sent the first edition of this book even though a second is already out and has been for years.Not disclosed that this was older edition.

Is information technology the culprit?
Many of the observations Prof. Catells made are valid, however the connection between information technology and the social problems are not very strong. The network states, global criminal society, wealth disparity, etc. are more or less the byproduct of globalization. Yes, information technology accelerates the rate of globalization. But would those social problems exist without information technology? Mostly likely yes. These phenomena are not new, they predate the advent of the Information Age (the World Wide Web and mass adoption of internet is a post-1990 phenomenon). Multinatioal organizations (or globalization) have been around for many decades, same goes for the North-South polical economic paradigm. So, attributing all these social problems to the Information Age (at least that is the impression I got out of it) may not be an accurate representation. Nonetheless, his trilogy does demonstrate the acute problem of a global digital divide, and he suggested some possible solutions in some of his other books.

don't read it if you can help it
This is a horrible book and very hard to read.The author writes with long sentences that use big words throughout, that are not necessary in understanding his concepts.This book could have been written in half the words and you would have actually been able to comprehend it.VCR manuals read better than this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1970-    2. 1990-    3. Anthropology - Cultural    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic history    6. General    7. Internet - General    8. Social History    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Technology And Social Change    13. Technology and civilization    14. Business & Economics / Economic History    15. ECONOMIC HISTORY_1990-    16. Globalization    17. INFORMATION SOCIETY    18. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY    19. Impact of science & technology on society    20. Social theory   

Reviews (1)

A Hard Look At Korean Unification
Marcus Noland, in June 2000, wrote one of the better books, published by the Institute for International Economics, on the situation on the Korean peninsula, Avoiding the Apocalypse: The Future of the Two Koreas. Now, as Volume 71 of that organization's "Policy Analyses in International Economics", is Noland's Korea After Kim Jong-il. It's a short, but dense read, and worth every graph and sentence in its 103 pages, of which 18 are the appendix, index, and references, and including four tables and four figures. It's an economic analysis, certainly, but Noland's unpretentious presentation is punctuated with glib remarks. Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Foreign economic relations    6. Foreign relations    7. International - General    8. Korea (North)    9. Korean reunification question (1945- )    10. Politics and government    11. Korea    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    13. Political economy   

Reviews (55)

statistical outlier: proven
Bonner is such a statistical outlier that we have recently been able to conclude that he is the best English-language writer on this planet. His wit and ability to turn a phrase certainly occur in less than one in a thousand. The same is very likely true (certain within three sigma) of his ability to craft deceptively simple, beautifully transparent prose. One thousand times one thousand results in a probablity of a writer of Bonner's quality arising as one in one million. As would be expected from this figure, the event of these abilities occuring simultaneously in one writer, to the degree found in Bonner, has seemingly not arisen in a nonfiction writer since H. L. Mencken. Further studies seem to indicate that Bonner surpasses Mencken by a fine but distinct margin provided by the lucidity quotient, but we are not yet confident at making a definitive statement in this area.
A lot of padding
The authors have a valid subject and appear to be on-target with the financial future of the USA. The downside is they turned what should have been a booklet into a book by endlessly saying the same thing over and over. Some solid substance, and a lot of padding so they could create a full-length, full-priced book.

Forecasting economy by history
This book is the perfect example you needn't a PHD in economy to forecast it. "History is the master of life". If you know it and you have common sense, you can understand economy and discover the path of wealth. After three years, the lesson of "Financial Reckoning Day" has become reality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business cycles    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economics - Microeconomics    6. Finance    7. Financial Markets    8. Financial crises    9. Investments & Securities - General    10. Personal Finance    11. Stocks    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    14. Investment & securities    15. USA   

Reviews (33)

Critique of the President from the Right
This is an interesting work.Many of the critical analyses of the Bush II Administration (George W. Bush as opposed to George H. W. Bush, referred to as Bush I below) have come from journalists or those on the left or from Democrats.This book is fascinating precisely because it is authored by a conservative, one who served in the Reagan White House and in the Bush I Treasury Department.In that, it is akin to Francis Fukuyama's critical analyses of neocons and the Administration's Nation-Building efforts.And, indeed, Bartlett paid a personal price for his criticisms--he lost his job.
One for the Gipper...
I once described The Ron as The Last Great Republican, hoping that I was going to be proven wrong... Not so far...
This is a very good book.
I Agree with bruce barlett that this book is a very good about the potentional horribleness of the bush adminstration and how they betrayed the legacy of the great ronald reagan (who's probably rolling in his grave right now as we speak) and another despicable things that he has done to this country, I'm a conserative liberal and I Truly can't stand this pathetic adminstration for making our country more horrible then ever, and the bush adminstration are certainly not conseratives, republicans nor americans, they are un-american, in full violation of their oath of office
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Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. 2001-    4. Bush, George W.    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. Conservatism    7. Economic Conditions    8. Economic Policy    9. Government - U.S. Government    10. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    11. Political Science    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Presidents & Heads of State    14. Public Policy - Economic Policy    15. United States    16. Political Science / General   

Reviews (1)

Refreshing persectives
This book offers a very easy to read review of one important approach to electoral engineering.In doing so we can only hope that some of the now traditional (and rather stodgy) perspecives of dehumanised mathematical proportionality, so powerful in recent decades, may finally enjoy a little intellectual competition.Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Conflict management    3. Democracy    4. Economic Conditions    5. Elections    6. Political Process - Elections    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Elections & referenda    11. Elections--Case studies    12. Political Science / General    13. Political economy    14. Political ideologies    15. Political science & theory    16. Political structures: democracy   

Reviews (3)

Amazing
I have just finished reading The Oligarchs - all 496 pages of it, and I just wanted to let anyone know who was thinking of reading it that it is an absolutely, incredible piece of quality work. I enjoyed every page.

Good Job!
Much better than I expected, a serious work with a great deal of research invovled.It avoided the typical lurid embellishments of the genre, and also made the point of the important period of transistion in the Gorbachev period, where nascent Russian capitalism started.It lacks somewhat in that it focuses on only six men, and they are of varying importance in the post-Yeltsin period.As Putin reportedly said when asked about Berezovsky--"Who?"Nevertheless, a good job, an interesting read and thankfully avoids falling into the tabloid style of so much of the literature on the topic.

The Power of Six
David Hoffman's "The Oligarchs" documents in great detail the rise of 6 businessmen--Aleksandr Smolensky, Yuri Luzhkov, anatoly Chubais, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinsky--who became the "oligarchs" who shaped the political and economic landscape of the New Russia. They were merely ordinary Russians until the Soviet Union collapsed. So how did a mere handful Russians end up controlling such an epic proportion of Russia's economy and have such great influence in its politics? And how did they manage to rise at Russia's decline? Hoffman's book will answer these questions by piecing together extensive research and interview to create a well-balanced, serious but at the same time, a downright fun and readable book. "The Oligarchs" is a landmark. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1985-1991    2. 1991-    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business people    6. Business/Economics    7. Businesspeople    8. Contemporary Economic Situations And Conditions    9. Economic Conditions    10. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    11. Government & Business    12. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    13. Russia (Federation)    14. Soviet Union    15. Business & Management    16. Current Events   

Reviews (15)

Good, But a Little Sparse
This book was not at all what I had expected, in that it features a lot of superfluous personal touch that, in a story that isn't Campbell's, just doesn't belong. I wish that it had contained more statistics and factual research than just tales of his visits to Sierra Leone, with less-than-necessary intervals of fact. However, it was still an interesting read, and I definitely recommend it to someone who's seeking a general outline of the history of blood diamonds.

A Compelling Narrative with Its Flaws
Campbell writes compelling narrative with a fascinating array of characters - corrupt dictators, warlords, mercenaries, peacekeepers, child soldiers, missionaries, shady Middle Eastern merchants, diamond buyers, jewelers, diplomats, et al. - weaving in the tragedy that the pursuit of instant riches in the alluvial diamond fields of West Africa has wrought. The result is a modern morality tale about the scarce resources, globalization, and violence. AUTHOR'S INAPTITUDE EVIDENT ON EVERY PAGE
I'd anxiously awaited the arrival of this book, but after two weeks of trying to get through it, I simply couldn't... not because the subject matter was too real, but because its reality was obfuscated by the author's INCREDIBLY BAD writing.Don't believe me?I don't blame you.You've probably read the same charitable reviews that I have.But forget those reviews and read a sampling of Mr. Campbell's style:"In fact, the two men are Mutt-and-Jeff diamond smugglers:Singer has the connections and does the talking; Valdy is the money man."(pg.37)... I'm sorry.I didn't realize I'd just stepped into an old episode of Dragnet.Oh, but there's more.Check out this pathetic attempt at a simile:"We headed into the night, the sound of UN helicopters carried to us on the ocean breeze that moved the leaves overhead like bored hand-waving from a local parade." (pg.47)... Maybe I'm just lazy, but I don't enjoy having to edit the books I read in order to understand them.If you're similarly minded; I strongly suggest that if you want to learn anything about blood diamonds you look to some other source. The only positive thing I can say about Mr. Campbell's version is that it increased my sympathy for the exploited people about whom he writes.How unfortunate they are to have to rely on Mr. Campbell as an advocate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    3. Crime And Criminals    4. Criminology    5. Economic Conditions    6. History - General History    7. Industries - General    8. Industries And Trades (Economic Aspects)    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Social Science    11. Organized crime    12. Sierra Leone   

Editorial Review

Professor David S. Landes takes a historic approach to the analysis of the distribution of wealth in this landmark study of world economics. Landes argues that the key to today's disparity between the rich and poor nations of the world stems directly from the industrial revolution, in which some countries made the leap to industrialization and became fabulously rich, while other countries failed to adapt and remained poor. Why some countries were able to industrialize and others weren't has been the subject of much heated debate over the decades; climate, natural resources, and geography have all been put forward as explanations--and are all brushed aside by Landes in favor of his own controversial theory: that the ability to effect an industrial revolution is dependent on certain cultural traits, without which industrialization is impossible to sustain. Landes contrasts the characteristics of successfully industrialized nations--work, thrift, honesty, patience, and tenacity--with those of nonindustrial countries, arguing that until these values are internalized by all nations, the gulf between the rich and poor will continue to grow. ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Guns & Germs Meets Economics
If you have had the opportunity to read any of Jared Diamond's work, then I believe you will like and enjoy the similarities and explanations provided but on and from an economic point of view. The Wealth & Poverty of Nations is a straight talking expose as to many of the reasons to the economic rise of some Nations (and subsequent expansion) and why other Nations never did (or much later) though they had either resources or the political system to do so, but they just didn't overcome other obstacles.
A Bitter Pill
This is one of the most ill tempered and unfashionable books that I have read in a long time.Perhaps it could have only been written by a scholar in the waning days of his career (Landes has gone emeritus at Harvard).A young scholar could never get away with Landes's crankiness and his targeting of sacred cows.The book is so politically incorrect that it defies belief.Landes challenges nearly every tenet widely held among scholars about the principal motors of history in the past millenium.Moreover, this book is hopelessly Euro-Centric, a crime punishable by instant career termination among the untenured ranks of professors.
RACIST GARBAGE!!!!
This loser tries to hide his racism behind witty anecdotes, but it is so clear that he hates other races, nations and cultures and frankly feels that they get what they deserve. Prof. of History???? What a joke! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Economic Conditions    6. Economic History    7. Economics - Theory    8. Europe    9. History    10. Poverty    11. Regional economic disparities    12. Wealth    13. Western Europe - General    14. International economics    15. Western Continental Europe   

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Reviews (1)

Clears away the hype on the new economy
This book provides the clearest analysis of work in the new economy of anything I've read, using Silicon Valley as the prototypical region of the future of work.It cuts through all the hype, and analyzes both the region's dynamism, but also the reasons behind the volatility, insecurity, and rise in contract/temporary employment.It provides innovative and useful suggestions for ways of increasing security for workers in the region's labor market, while maintaining the region's dynamism.Should be read by every elected official and policy maker in the country, and anyone else concerned about the changing nature of work in the new economy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. California    3. Economics - General    4. Job security    5. Labor    6. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    7. Labor market    8. Manpower policy    9. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clar    10. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County)    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - General    14. Business & Economics / Economic Conditions    15. CALIFORNIA_ECONOMIC CONDITIONS    16. Hi-tech manufacturing industries    17. Labour economics    18. SANTA CLARA COUNTY (CALIF.)    19. Work & labour   

Reviews (3)

A Liberal Analysis of Modernity?
North and Thomas seek to explain the "rise of the Western world" by illuminating the causal importance of an efficient economic organization that guarantees a wide latitude of property rights and both incentives and protection for economic growth.Although they pay homage to both Marxian and neoliberal theory, they take a theoretical middle ground that privileges the sociopolitical backdrop of economic affairs (as opposed to solely private or class-based activity) and in doing so identifies the roots of modernization as far back as the 10th Century.To justify the novelty and originality of this approach, they write that most analysts have misidentified the symptoms of modern economic growth (technological change, human capital, economies of scale) as the causes.In doing so, previous scholars have failed to answer the question "if all that is required for economic growth is investment and innovation, why have some societies missed this desirable outcome?" (2).Their answer is that some societies (England and the Netherlands) were better than others (France and Spain) at providing an efficient economic organization that could guarantee conditions favorable to per capita economic growth among a rapidly growing population. An Examination of Property Rights
An outstanding book that clearly explains how `our' current understanding of property rights can be found and more fully understood through the feudal history of western Europe.The breath and sweep of this book is truly impressive. The roots of how nations protect property rights are found in western feudal history.The case is made that economic efficiency, or more specifically economic prosperity, is dependent upon how a society defines and protects property rights.Therefore, differences in economic performance among nations can be in part explained by how that particular nation's notion of property rights evolved. North and Thomas compare and contrast the development of property rights and the resulting economic performance during the feudal period in several nations, such as France and England, to make their point.Transaction costs, intellectual property, and negative and positive externalities are also discussed.

First-Rate, But Not For Amateurs
I read this excellent book in preparation for the writing of my senior thesis.It is the most thorough and comprehensive tretment of the economic reasons for the rise of the western world.Every sentence is informationdense, and I often found it necessary to reread sentences or even wholeparagraphs to digest the wealth of information and analysis.That said, itshould be kept in mind that firm backgrounds in both European history andeconomics are necessary prerequisites for a full appreciation of this book. Moreover, this book is a crucial but nevertheless incomplete explanationfor the rise of the western world.In this sense, it has everything onsomething (economic history), but nothing on anything else.For a broaderanalysis, see McNeill, "The Rise of the West."(McNeill hassomething on everything, but everything on nothing.Get it?) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Europe    3. Europe - General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Economic history    8. Economics    9. History / Europe / General   

Reviews (3)

Best Book on African Development for Many Years
The Politics of Permanent Crisis is simply one of the best books on contemporary Africa to come out for ages.The author, who has been writing sensibly on Africa, political reform, and foreign aid issues for many years, takes on a whole range of often contradictory academic work to help explain why Africa has been unable to grow faster despite increasingly levels of external financial assistance. Van de Walle argues coherently that local politics within many African countries have combined with donor practices to militate against the fundamental changes required for African economies to take-off.Seen in this light, the lack of reforms and disappointing outcomes from foreign aid in Africa are not mysteries, but rather the logical outcomes of the incentives under which the various players operate.This is a seminal contribution to our understanding of Africa's economic and political dilemmas -- and an excellent complement to Bill Easterly's "The Elusive Quest for Growth".If there is any shortcoming in the book, it is a minor quibble that van de Walle seems too dismissive of the role of individual leaders in sparking recovery (e.g., surely, Jerry Rawlings and Yoweri Museveni deserve some personal credit for turning Ghana and Uganda around).This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Africa's development challenges and the role of the international community.

The Puzzle of African Exceptionalism
Nicolas van de Walle's prize-winning book explains the puzzle of African exceptionalism with an intelligent and nuanced framework.Focusing on the politics behind the seemingly permanent crisis, van de Walle explains the pervasive rise of neopatrimonial rule on the continent -- a political system that depends on patronage and clientelism, and which is a feature of many low-income, largely subsistence-based polities around the world.Van de Walle's dual training in economics and political science, and his extensive experience living and working in many of the countries of the sub-continent, make this book deep, broad, and credible. I've recommended it to many who want to understand what is behind their t.v. screens: why has poverty grown in Africa? Why is this the region most troubled by small-scale political wars? Its scholarly but accessible style, complimented by extensive footnotes and references, also make this an excellent book for students.

A Plagiarized Monograph: How the Academy Fails Africa
This book represents Nicolas van de Walle's attempts to characterise Africa's political economy in the era of 'partial reform' in comparative perspective.Unfortunately, this book which could have fulfilled an important lacunae in the field is largely a poorly thought out academic hustle. The analysisis full of mutually contradictory statements, and given the author's evident lack of familiarity with the cases he is comparing with S.S.A. his comparative analysis lacks anybite or merit.Nowhere is this more clear than in his comparisons between Africa and Latin America. For example, according to van de Walle Argentina is a considered 'especially' a case of committed and extensive reform.
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Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Africa    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic policy    6. General    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics and government    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Africa--Economic conditions--1960-    12. African studies    13. Political Science / General    14. Political economy    15. Political science & theory   

Reviews (36)

Powerful & Vital
Having read numerous books on Peak Oil, I can honestly say that this one is unique.
Bubble, Bubble, Who's in Trouble?
Calling this book an eye opener will be a major understatement. It provides some of the fascinating analysis on the upcoming Oil crisis and its affect on everything ... right from your pocketbook to the world economy. Based on its analysis, it speculates on some of the repercussions on personal behaviour, defense and drive towards alternative energies. Additionally it suggests some interesting ideas that can help us protect & grow our portfolio as an Investor.
The Fear Factor - Beware of this book.
I read this book with great excitement. Not only does Leeb predict a great tumoil for the world but he tells you how to get fabulously rich off it. After finishing this and doing my homework, I have developed some doubts.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic aspects    5. Energy policy    6. Finance    7. Industries - Energy Industries    8. Industries And Trades (Economic Aspects)    9. Investment Finance    10. Petroleum industry and trade    11. Petroleum products    12. Prices    13. Business & Economics / Economic Conditions   

Reviews (1)

An Investor from Pittsburgh, PA
This is an excellent book.I have been an investor in the Muhlenkamp Fund for the past ten years. I have witnessed firsthand how Ron Muhlenkamp and his team of analysts avoid the fads promulgated by today's financial media and select stocks based on the principles outlined in this book.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Economic Conditions    5. Investments & Securities - General    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Investing    8. Personal Finance - Money Management   

Reviews (8)

Short but sweet
This book is a short collection of articles or speeches by President Jean Bertrand Aristide.Reading it is a window into the world of a torn country: the poorest in the western hemisphere.But rather than being depressing, it leaves you with hope as you celebrate the triumphs of the Haitian people as they struggle for democracy and peace.

Please...
Take a trip to Haiti.And you may still notice the mountains of garbage at every street corner, drug and crime lords on the loose, the prison system a mess, the economy...what economy? electricity...only when it's for the "Wold Cup", the absence of Police Officers...the condition of the roads! the airport! the beggers, the robbers and the fast and growing numbers of Haitians leaving either by plane or boat! now, instead of publishing a book and trying to convince those who's never lived in Haiti of the President's good heart, he should have taken that money and spent it on the country instead! Nothing has changed from when the Duvalieriste's were in power! Actually, the new President bares an eery resemblance to Papa Doc lately!oh! did I forget to mention the President's mansion in "Tabarre" and the perfect condition of the road in front of his house...we wouldn't want his Excellency to feel a bump now, would we?

not gullible
hmm. interesting point our President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has. but guess what,it's not enough. in essence,he represents the dream-like state that a lot of my people have:we dream of what we were,of what we could be,yet do nothing about it. he is an intellectual without action. i have lived too long in haiti to hear all of the 'ansanm,ansanm,nou se lavalas'speeches of our DEARLY BELOVED president while continually seeing the misery of my people. good book,"titid". but i don't expect to see anything realistic come of it. (: ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Economic Conditions    4. Globalization    5. Haiti    6. New Age    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Poverty    9. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    10. Spiritualism - General    11. Mind, Body, Spirit    12. Political Science / General    13. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism    14. Spirituality    15. Human Rights    16. Current Affairs   

Reviews (4)

A cybernetic view of technology's cycles
I think I've read almost all the books written on the long-term dynamics of technology. Most of them are quite predictable -- a long list of important inventions. This book by Carlota Perez is different. It is one of the most interesting histories of technology, if not the most informative, because it dwells on the dynamics of the technology/social/economic system itself. It takes a decided cybernetic view of technology by demonstrating that technology is a very large system that progresses through "paradigms." And like paradigms in science or the humanities, paradigms in technology exhibit step-like bursts of normal advancement punctuated by revolutionary change. This long cycle of ordinary improvement capped by rapid cataclysmic change and marked by the inevitable bubble phase and then productive recovery has marked all cycles of technology in the last two hundred years. That's Perez's thesis, and the book is very thorough in making a case for this.
Great Theoretical Picture on Macro Level- Light on Proof
This is a really terrific book. It provides a very thoughtful treatment of the big picture of large technological innovations like the rail road, autos, and the internet.
This Book is Simply a Modern Classic -- It's a Must Read
This book is a must-read.As someone who has been involved with computer/networking technology for over 30 years and high-tech finance for more than 20, I'm confident that there is nothing that surpasses this work in capturing the times in which we live.This book is simply a modern classic.