Manchester University Press The Ascent of Globalisation

The ascent of globalisation provides a fresh account of the history and evolution of postwar globalisation, through intimate portraits of nineteen of its key architects. It brings to light the behind the scenes drama that accompanied the creation of institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations and World Trade Organisation, the wars of ideas between liberals and neoliberals, the informal structures and treaties that created new and powerful connections and the surreptitious deals made to satisfy the interests of transnational corporations. This account shows that the ascent of globalisation was by no means inevitable, but owes its achievements to the force of will of its architects. It brings a deep understanding of what inspired and drove these pioneers of globalisation, the beliefs they imbibed in their youth and the experiences that shaped their ideas. Engaging anecdotes and personal details enliven each of the stories, many of which have never been told before. While globalisation has brought benefits, it has also brought its fair share of disappointments. The global financial system has proved to be fragile and unstable, the international trading system is unfair, transnational capital is largely unregulated and institutions like the European Union and the United Nations are dysfunctional. The ascent of globalisation explains how the global architecture is a product of many compromises rather than a single blueprint and how this has made the so-called new world order so disorderly. This book will be of interest to students and lecturers in economics, politics, sociology and history whose studies touch on postwar globalisation, as well as general readers with an interest in the evolution of globalisation and its impact on the world today