Stiglitz Hosts Panel About Globalization

At a colloquium hosted by the Committee on Global Thought last night, renowned scholars from developing nations across the globe expounded upon how globalization is revolutionizing the models of government in "The Global South."

Joseph Stiglitz, University professor of economics and chair of the Committee on Global Thought, hosted the discussion in Jerome L. Greene Hall called "The Impact of Globalization on the Countries of the South." KY Amoako, executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations, Justin Lin, director of the China Center for Economic Research, Peking University, José Antonio Ocampo, under-secretary-general for Economic and Social Affairs for the United Nations, and Prabhat Patnaik professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India all participated in the event.

In his opening remarks, Stiglitz said that globalization's "impact is stronger in the global south," a sentiment which was echoed by all of the members of the panel.

"The discussion was very lively," Amoako said, who addressed the crowd on how recent economic booms have not affected Africa. "I really gained different perspectives, looking at the impact and issues" of globalization.

Stiglitz agreed with his colleague, saying afterwards that "Globalization is one of the central issues facing the world today. ... We're looking at international responses."

Panelists drew on their regional expertise to analyze how globalization has created different problems in their various regions of specialty and how different governments had reacted to the issue.

Towards the end of the discussion, Patnaik brought up the notion that globalization changes the role of governments in developing nations, stating that, in his native India, globalization has given the government the ability to focus more on improving the lives of the poorest people.

Paul Capriotti, Business '08, said the event was "very interesting. ... I'd like to sit down and talk to him [Stiglitz]." He added that he thought the colloquium was a great success.

Francesco Sensidoni, SIPA MPA '08, who frequents events hosted by the committee, said this one was "much better" than usual, adding that the issues discussed were "all so lost on me."

This event is one of a series that the Committee on Global Thought is holding on a variety of issues, whereby economists give their insight and perspective on a variety of issues. Next Tuesday, the committee is holding an event titled "An Emergent India: Prospects and Problems," in which Patnaik and Stiglitz will discuss economic and social issues faced by India due to its rapid growth.

The committee is also hosting "The Crisis in Darfur" on Mar. 23, featuring New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof and U.N. Special Representative to Darfur Jan Pronk.