Imagine There\'s No Country : Poverty, Inequality, and Growth in the Era of Globalization

Contents: Preface. I. Received wisdom on poverty, inequality, and growth: 1. Overview: new results on poverty, inequality, and growth in the era of globalization. 2. The pattern of economic growth, 1950-2000. 3. Inequality as we know it. 4. Poverty as we are told it is. II. Discussion of knowledge on poverty, inequality, and growth and analysis of data and methodologies: 5. Taking stock of the facts. 6. Recounting poor people. 7. Surveys and national accounts: can a choice be made? 8. Other methodological considerations. III. New results on poverty, inequality, and growth, based on simple accounting procedure methods: 9. Poverty as it is—and forecasts for 2015. 10. Reinventing the Kuznets Curve: propoor growth. 11. Inequality as it is. 12. Globalization: a second look. 13. Conclusion: roads not taken. Appendices. References. Index.

"The new era of globalization, which began in the 1980s, brought about a world without boundaries. It resulted in significant decline in costs of transportation, communication and production; considerably improved intercountry competitiveness; and broke down trade and cultural barriers among countries. However, the new order also raised several questions in its wake.

"Surjit S. Bhalla addresses these questions head on in this book. Has globalization made the world grow faster? Has poverty declined at a faster pace during globalization? If yes, why? If not, is it because the growth rate was lower, or because inequality worsened, or both? Who has gained from globalization? Is it the elite in both the developed and developing world? What about the middle class? Who are they? How have they benefited from (or lost to) the forces of globalization?

"This comprehensive study firmly debunks several popular myths such as the belief that globalization has resulted in lower overall growth rates for poor countries, increasing world inequality, and stagnating poverty levels. Through rigorous, integrated methodologies and an enhanced dataset, the author answers some of the most pressing policy issues confronting us today."