Dangerous Business

May 19, 2008
In his latest book, Choate (Hot Property
) takes up cudgels against Thomas Friedman and proponents of globalization, blaming Republicans and Democrats for creating a system in which “corporate money, both domestic and foreign, dominates U.S. governance.” Whereas Friedman sees “flatteners,” such as the Internet and outsourcing, Choate sees “rounders,” the pitfalls of globalization that include nationalism, militarism and cultural rivalries. Choate denounces what he sees as the current litany of economic abuses, including a global corporate culture in which “today's economic concentration... is so large scale and so far-flung that regulation is beyond the capacity of any individual government.” Choate provides advice for reining in the ravages of globalization, including reforming (and potentially leaving) the World Trade Organization, redressing campaign finance law and curbing illegal immigration. However, his prescriptions seem victim to the very problem they seek to remedy: global interdependence and untamed corporate power have already curtailed the ability of individual nations to pursue isolationist policies. While his solutions may fall flat, his book is accessible, well-written and wisely inserts itself into the upcoming U.S. election, which has re-energized the debate on NAFTA and globalization.

July 15, 2008
Economist Choate ("Hot Property: The Stealing of Ideas in an Age of Globalization"), who was Ross Perot's vice presidential running mate in 1996, exposes the dark side of globalization with well-argued points on the dangers Americans face in lowered safety standards for imported food and pharmaceuticals, underemployment, the loss of national sovereignty, and elites with divided loyalties. Our supposed military might, he says, has been undermined by dependence on foreign suppliers for vital military components. He denounces the current revolving-door system of officials leaving U.S. public service to become well-paid representatives of foreign interests and then often returning to government office. He also claims that the Bush and Clinton administrations conceded too many points to foreign interests in negotiating trade agreements like NAFTA. Choate devotes separate chapters to challenging the pro-globalization ideas of both economist Milton Friedman and author Thomas Friedman ("The World Is Flat"). In conclusion, he recommends numerous public policy changes to strengthen America in areas such as trade, public finance, and pensions. Complementing Gabor Steingart's "The War for Wealth", a superb criticism of the broad effects of globalization, this articulate assessment of America's position in the global economy should be in every public and academic library. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 4/1/08.]Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ., Erie, PA

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Economist and Reform Party activist Choate (best known to many as Ross Perots running mate in 1996) may best be described as an economic nationalist; over the years, he has been a particularly passionate critic of free trade in general and NAFTA in particular. Here Choate offers a vociferous broad-spectrum complaint about economic globalization, which he believes to be an existential threat to the economic well-being of the U.S. In part, this is a specific criticism of certain infrastructure privatization policies and trade agreements that have, in his view, negatively affected the U.S. But, more broadly, in sections loosely addressing arguments associated with the free-market Friedmans (Milton and Thomas), Choate articulates concerns about the vulnerabilities inherent in a global system increasingly defined by the interdependence of nations. Though some readers may be put off by Choates abiding suspicion of non-U.S. and international institutions, readers concerned about the same issues as Choate may find his iconoclastic populism invigorating.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)