BOOK REVIEWSThe Globalised Woman
Christa Wichterich, Published by Zed Books, New York, 2000. 1 85649 741 0
This accessible book broadens the understanding of globalisation by focusing on its effects on women’s everyday lives worldwide. Chapter topics trace various aspects; the international actors involved, the types of work promoted by globalisation for women, the repercussions on issues prevalent to women, and finally the globalisation of women’s movements.
It concludes with an interesting commentary on the parallel United Nations and NGOs Beijing 1995 Women’s Conferences. The accounts of the different interactions between organisations from both the South and North are particularly informative. The book could have shown greater awareness of its Northern perspective by incorporating views from Southern women’s groups. Some of these challenge the extent to which an international women’s movement is universal, raising important questions regarding the future of such a movement. Ruth Bennett
Doing the Dirty Work - The Global Politics of Domestic LabourBridget Anderson. Published by Zed Books, 2000. ISBN 1-85649-761-5
Anderson investigates the complexities of class, race and gender thrown up by the situation of migrant female domestic workers as a contribution to feminist political theory. She defines the nature and value of paid domestic work, which she sees as an inevitable outcome of capitalist expansion.
Anderson uses domestic workers’ first hand accounts to highlight the systems which exist in each country and perpetuate the situation. She argues that these are determined by the intersection of workers’ relations with their employers and the relationship they have to the state.
Anderson concludes that while growing networks targeting issues such as fairer immigration policies are beginning to have an impact, future work needs to be led by research based on real life experience into what it is that binds some women together and drives others apart. Joanne O’Brien
Goodbye America! -Globalisation, Debt and the Dollar EmpireMichael Rowbotham. Published by Jon Carpenter, Charlbury, 2000. ISBN 1-897766-56-4
Goodbye America! concludes that debts of developing nations are invalid and goes on to connect of issues of money supply, free trade and globalisation, with the issue of debt, in a rather nice theoretical framework.
The book’s major weakness is that whilst technical debt-cancellation is covered, less than two pages are dedicated to how to achieve this politically. The solution is seen as "supportive Western public opinion" combined with "support from the ranks of established economists". The author has little to say on how, in practice, to achieve change. The book seems targeted more towards persuading economists than necessarily helping activists. Klas Ronnback
The Zapatistas: A Rough GuidePublished by Chiapaslink, Box 79, 82 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB chiapaslink@yahoo.com
This is written by a group from the UK who visited Chiapas in 1998 and spent time as Peace Observers with the Zapatistas.
Using a rich mix of historical background, political analysis and personal testimonies the book draws parallels between struggles in Mexico and in the UK against the feeling of insecurity which is the consequence of neoliberal economic policies. Its explanations of Zapatista organisation and attempts to find different ways to live provides inspiration to move beyond the doctrine of ‘there is no alternative’ and remain hopeful that challenges to the reign of the market continue.
The book is more than a thoughtful political exploration – it is a deeply human text containing testimonies from both the authors and from Zapatistas themselves – making the subject matter real people with real struggles.
"Much death comes to us, but the worst death was that of the silence, that of the forgetting". Suggestions for solidarity and support conclude the book, making it a vital part of refusing to forget.
After Seattle: Globalisation and its DiscontentsEssays by Meghnad Desai, John Edmonds, George Monbiot, Hilary Wainwright and others. Editors: Barbara Gunnell and Dave Timms. Published by The Catalyst Trust, London, 2000. ISBN 0-9533224-5-9
How we trade in the 21st century will determine the future of every one of us. Yet the casualties of unfettered free trade have been seen as inevitable, if regrettable. This dogma was challenged by the collapse of the World Trade Organisation talks in 1999. But how can the global trade straitjacket be made to fit differing needs?
This collection of essays attempts to tackle this question. It presents no easy answers or political certainties, but what the contributors do have in common is a belief in the urgency of establishing a fair global trading regime.