Overview

Global institutions have failed to adapt to today's political-economic realities. What went wrong, and how can we reverse our descent into chaos? The United States is no longer the world's undisputed superpower. China and India increasingly flex their economic muscle, as the West's share of global GDP steadily declines--and America's rules-based system risks becoming irrelevant. In business, competition brings efficiency, balance, and innovation. But not in the marketplace for global power. Acclaimed economist Eswar S. Prasad argues that the very forces expected to stabilize the world order are fueling disarray. Globalization has deepened inequality in many countries, stoked political backlash and triggered trade wars. Economic institutions like the IMF and WTO are no longer fit for purpose. The rise of ""middle powers"" like South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia once suggested multipolar stability; but today, such economies are forced to pick sides in the intensifying US-China struggle for hegemony. Prasad's clear-eyed, bracing prose contends that we are caught in a destructive feedback loop between economics, domestic politics, and geopolitics. With instability the new status quo, we need radical solutions to reinvigorate the world economy, prioritize common aspirations--and halt the downward spiral.

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9781805265498

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Reviews

‘A deeply insightful account of how economics, geopolitics and technological change are interacting to amplify disorder across the globe. Understanding these dynamics is a prerequisite for rebuilding something better. Prasad’s compelling and clear-eyed analysis challenges us to rethink the foundations of international cooperation. Essential reading for those seeking to understand and help shape the turbulent era ahead.’ * Janet Yellen, Distinguished Fellow in Residence, The Brookings Institution; former US Treasury Secretary; former chair, Federal Reserve * ‘Prasad has been a wise and prescient observer of the international financial system. With all that is changing, his latest perspective contained in this important volume will be very valuable to policy makers, investors, economists and concerned citizens.’ * Larry Summers, Charles W. Eliot Professor, Harvard University; former US Treasury Secretary * ‘Prasad diagnoses the forces driving the fragmentation of the global economy. In a narrative of ambitious scope, he shows how a world that once seemed headed toward greater integration and harmony is now fraying at the seams. From currencies and trade to AI and alliances, this is a compelling if sobering tour that should inform the thinking of leaders and citizens alike.’ * Robert E. Rubin, co-chair emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations; former US Treasury Secretary *

Author Information

Eswar S. Prasad is Nandlal P. Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy and Professor of Economics at Cornell University, and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. His publications include The Future of Money, a Book of the Year in the Financial Times, The Economist, Foreign Affairs and The Week.

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