Money mavericks: economic thinkers who've dared to challenge the dominant view

New Internationalist, Jan-Feb, 2000

MAIN IDEAS Tireless opponent of economic globalization which he sees as profoundly destructive in both human and environmental terms. Harshly critical of IMF and World Trade Organization which he calls: Jurassic institutions' impossible to reform because of `hegemonic influence' of US and `deep neo-liberal indoctrination'. Says Bretton Woods institutions are the `linchpin' of an international order that `systematically marginalizes the South'. Advocates radical vision of localized economies and regional co-operative arrangements to allow `internal economic transformation to take place with minimal disruption from external forces'. Better to `de-globalize' domestic economy by looking to local resources and local markets instead of export-led growth.

LEGACY Clear analysis and impressive scholarship have made him one of Asia's key progressive thinkers. Insistence on people-centred development grounded in ecological sustainability sets him apart from the elite consensus in Asia and is beginning to garner public support throughout the region. Believes people see failure of neo-liberal model and are searching for new democratic directions based on `community solidarity and security'.

DAVID KORTEN

LIFE AND TIMES Springs from mainstream, middle-America. Taught at Harvard School of Business and Public Health and worked at Ford Foundation and USAID in the Philippines. Asian experience forced him to question fundamentals of `development' and to analyze the workings of the global economy. Middle-American image of integrity, honesty and plain-speaking helped him become leading critic of economic globalization and a fierce opponent of corporate-led growth.

MAIN IDEAS Unflinching critic of capitalism. Says globalization is `triumph of privatized capital over markets and democracy' and `triumph of the extremely wealthy over the remainder of humanity'. Laments `powerful, unfeeling global economic machine dedicated to the conversion of life into profit by depleting living capital'. Instead calls for `post-corporate world' based on environmental balance and `democratic role for individual citizens in economic and political governance'.

LEGACY Arguments resound with indignation of an Old Testament prophet. Unbridled optimism has galvanized thousands of activists dissatisfied with the antihuman sweep of globalization. Economic critique appeals because it is intensely moral, rooted in personal spirituality and unbending faith in wisdom of humanity. Vision of globalizing civil society based on `openness, voluntary commitment and the ability to self-organize'.

MAUDE BARLOW

LIFE AND TIMES Was politicized by the women's movement as young mother and homemaker. Quickly became indefatigable activist, eventually senior advisor on women's issues to Canadian Prime Minister. Outraged by gutting of Canadian social programmes, she began organizing opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Later as head of Council of Canadians was leader in successful fight by global citizens' groups against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI).