Professor Kolodko’s “World on the Move”

Professor Grzegorz W. Kolodko

World on the Move

Year of Publication (forthcoming)

Publisher: Columbia University Publishers

“World on the move” has been referred to as an interdisciplinary tour de force because of its ability to transcend the confines of a single discipline and paradigm while addressing global economic development. Professor Gregorz Kolodko is able to maintain this unique approach towards world economic development as a result of his wide travels around the globe even to the most remotest corners of the universe. Apart from being a top world economist consulted by the World Bank and several international institutions, a leading scholar and a writer in economic development (visit www.kolodko.net) He also was the assistant Premier of Poland and its Finance minister and helped propel Poland to the European Union besides managing the difficult transition process from communism to a market economy.

This book "world on the move" begins by exploring the economic history of the world from before the 18th century to present extrapolating it to the future. China’s position before, during and after 18th century and its present position are studied. The giant leap backwards or the long slumber of China followed by a great and fast acceleration in a period of 30 years is expounded well. Are we now waiting for China to become the next economic super power? What does an economically strong China mean to the world?

The treatment of globalization is quite interesting. What comes out clear is that the world is getting more and more integrated and America’s planetary leadership is becoming a thing of the past. Accordingly the world without a global leader does not appear so appealing. The author writes The position of the USA in the 21st century can be compared to that of 17th century Spain, then the world super power..... We managed without Spain in this role, because England emerged as the global leader. The role of the Dollar is also explored. Accordingly, American leadership has left the world with no planetary institutional order and in a considerable state of chaos. In addressing the interdependence of the global system it gives account of how the ripple effects are experienced in a remote part of the world as a result of an event in another part of the world.

World on the move gives interesting insights into the future. Accordingly the first world will be an aging world. While populations will reduce in other parts of the planet, populations will also increase in other areas of the world. There will be attitude change on many issues such as the environment and there will be much closser gobal interractions. Air transportation will be faster "flight times from Moscow to San Franciso will be an hour and a half!" Robotics technology will be better "... there will be electronic sniffer dogs that can sniff better," communication will be effortless "there will be no need to write text messages or emails; just speak your thoughts to deliver them to your addressee" and bio matrix controls will be in use at borders of entry instead of passport controls "the touch of a finger or the gaze of your eye into the electronic device that watches us everywhere will be sufficient."

The book however ends with a caution that while others will have better lives others will plunge into poverty. It just makes me wonder whether the parts that will be plunging in poverty will be in Africa. Professor Kolodko has been a critique of the population trends in Africa. But maybe the book will answer my curiosity. I wonder too whether it provides insights on how the countries on the periphery may bring themselves to catch up with the countries on the core. But his comment in my in this blog on Africa's develoment debate answer this very well and I quote Yet while we are still far, far away from Afrique Paradis (see “World on the Mover”, or “Wędrujący świat”, Polish edition, p. 44), we are much closer to find an answer how African countries can be put on the path of fast growth and sustainable development. For this to happen the best way is to relay on coincidence theory of development and new pragmatism (ibidem, pp. 315-332). Kolodko (2004) is very persimistic on issues of catching up and advises that the catching up process should be discussed amongst near equals. Kolodko in Globalisation and catching up in emerging markets recognizes efforts by those willing to work hard giving Poland as an example. Countries that will go far are those that are willing to fight and overlook the global stumbling blocks such as what he referrers to as shock without therapy that the transition economies experienced when they had to change to market economies.

Certainly, I await for the book after passing through some of the content which were quite insightful. This a certainly a very rich book.

Visit www.kolodko.net for more information