Library & Innovation Centre

Earth's landscape is constantly changing, through natural processes and human activity. Each book in this series investigates the short- and long-term consequences of these transformations and how they can be managed for a sustainable future.

Our world is getting smaller. Improvements in communications systems, transport and information highways mean that countries are connected to each other in an increasing number of ways - politically, economically, culturally and environmentally.

The uproar at the World Trade Organization conference in Seattle focused attention on the conflict between the mainly western-owned global corporations and the poorer nations whose natural resources and cheap manpower sustain corporate profits, and who are also the unwilling purchasers of overpriced and inappropriate goods. In this book David Ransom vividly reveals the realities of trade as experienced by coffee-growers in Central America or the workers making jeans in Bangladesh sweatshops. He examines the roles played by the WTO, UNCTAD, ILO, IMF, G7, and other powerful organizations hiding behind bland initials. Even when their motives are benevolent, he argues, their activities are often inadequate and misguided.