Singer and Stiglitz

I think both readings from Singer and Stiglitz books are interesting in that they both mention the problems caused by current globalization. Singer and Stiglitz both approach the problems from ethical viewpoint because they see things that are unjust and they feel that they need to change the current situation. They are also both willing to sacrifice some benefits that we currently enjoy in order to make things better for everyone (Singer also argues that it will benefit the US in the end because there will be less incentives for terrorism).

The main problem they mention is the fact that globalization has not benefited everyone; it has largely benefited industrialized nations, especially some powerful groups within industrialized nations and it has not benefited or harmed developing nations. They mention global institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. They argue that currently these institutions are not run democratically as the developed countries are overrepresented and developing countries are underrepresented. Thus, the policies these institutions pursue or recommend mainly focuses on the benefit. Both writers argues that the change in global order is necessary in order to achieve globalization that can truly benefit everyone and the reason why that needs to be done is because it's ethically right.

Singer sums up his introduction by writing, "The thesis of this book is that how well we come through the era of globalization (perhaps whether we come through it at all) will depend on how we respond ethically to the idea that we live in one world". He urges us to change our politics and so does Stigliz as he write:

I hope that this book will help to change mindsets-as those in the
developed world see more clearly some of the consequences of the policies that
their governments have undertaken. I hope it will convince many, in all
countries, that "another world is possible." Even more: that "another world is
necessary and inevitable.

I think they both have right idea in that the globalization as we know it needs to change and we have to care more about other people's suffering and struggles.