The politics of empire

Globalisation in crisis

Edited by Alan Freeman and Boris Kagarlitsky, Pluto, 304 pages, paperback, £15.99

The editors of this book argue that globalisation is more than the internationalisation of capital.

Instead they see it as a distinctive historical era from 1980, with a definite political strategy pursued by the leading powers - the imposition of neo-liberalism, structural adjustment and privatisation.

The book argues that this regime has now come to an end, because globalisation has led to massive inequality, undermining the basis of stable rule in many countries. It says we are entering a new age of protectionism, rivalry and war - somewhat like the period leading to the First World War in 1914.

The book telescopes a number of trends and tendencies, with a number of contributors contradicting the editors' main argument. And the argument that the global labour movement might be a significant force in opposition to globalisation is not seriously discussed.