International trade has created a highly interdependent world. Everyday
products - such as phones, trainers or cars - are designed, manufactured
and assembled across several different countries, by countless different
companies, both large and small, involving millions of people of all
nationalities, creeds and cultures. We take much of this creativity and
competition for granted. But it wouldn't be possible without the
peaceful collaboration of millions of people around the planet - a
much-overlooked aspect of globalisation. Yet some politicians - perhaps
bound by electoral concerns - often take a narrower view, claiming
globalisation leads to job losses, lower standards and threats to
security. An introduction to Trade & Globalisation examines the tensions
that inevitably arise alongside the many benefits of trade. Author
Eamonn Butler looks at the rapid growth of international trade over the
past 50 years, and how commerce and international politics have become
increasingly entwined. He describes the fundamental and growing
importance of trade and globalisation in modern life - whilst also
seeking to understand the opposition to it. And, at the same time, he
skilfully provides a straightforward, insightful and essential
introduction to the principles, economics, and politics of international
trade - one of the key developments of the modern era.
