Martin Khor's practical proposals offer action agendas to Third World governments as they are faced with globalization. Khor explains the economic globalization process, showing how it is failing to either increase economic growth or decrease poverty. A critique of Western governments for their domination of the international policy process ensues, where Khor exposes the flaws in the "one size fits all" policy prescriptions of the World Bank, IMF, and WTO. Arguing that Third World countries need room to maneuver, this book proposes innovative and realistic policies.

This book constitutes a unique, inspiring, and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practice being pioneered at governmental, NGO, and community levels in so many Third World countries. It provides a wealth of information on a large number of particular policies, projects and organizations in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Intellectual property rights are a major source of controversy. Corporations are now patenting human genes, plants and other biological materials, many of which exist in nature or have been used for generations by farmers and indigenous peoples. Martin Khor examines the biopiracy phenomenon, its links to the TRIPS Agreement, and its various effects.