GLOBALISATION PUTS CORPORATE PROFITS BEFORE PEOPLE

Intelligence Squared debate with George Monbiot, Will Hutton, Caroline Lucas, Martin Wolf & Steve Hilton on 27th March 2003

Doors open at 6pm. Debate starts at 6:45pm and finishes at 8:30pm

Tickets 15 each (normal price 20)

The idea that every country on earth should be open for business to the rest of the world is an article of faith for free marketeers and multi-national corporations. It means no more barriers to trade; it allows poor countries to exploit their comparative advantage - be it cheap labour or a warm climate - and to sell their agri-cultural produce and labour intensive goods at competitive rates in foreign markets. Or so they say. But is it poor countries who benefit or multinational corporations who make use of their cheap labour? These are some of the issues that will be discussed at the Intelligence Squared debate on 27th March 2003. FOR THE MOTION: George Monbiot Leading campaigner for global justice, author of the forthcoming "The Age of Consent: A Manifesto for a New World Order" and Guardian columnist. Will Hutton Chief Executive of The Work Foundation, columnist and author of "The World We're In". Caroline Lucas Green Party MEP for South East England, advisory board member of the ‘Protect the Local, Globally' think tank, previously Head of Trade Policy for one of the world's largest development agencies AGAINST THE MOTION: Martin Wolf Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times. Steve Hilton Guru of corporate social leadership, founding partner of "Good Business" which pioneers corporate social leadership for global clients. Final speaker and chairperson - to be announced "The train leaving from Liphook at 07.03 on Wednesday morning will arrive at Wadhurst at 09.35." Thanks to the wonders of globalisation, that information will soon, as likely as not, be coming to you from Calcutta: National Rail Inquiries - and Directory Inquiries too - are thinking of relocating their call centres to India. But do we really want to live in a world where local customs and ways of life are swept away by the dictates of the global market; where the independent bookstore and local grocer finally succumbs to warehouse shopping and hypermarkets? The process of globalisation is not being propelled by the needs of society as a whole, argues George Monbiot, but by corporate demands and superpower politics. To be sure, it benefits some people, but it also hurts millions of others whose misfortune is nothing more than the collateral damage in an economic war being fought over their heads. And the loss to local communities isn't some accidental by-product of the international market system, says Caroline Lucas: on the contrary, it's an inevitable consequence of the laws of global comp-etitiveness, which depend on there being fundamental winners and losers. That is to misconstrue the entire process, says Steve Hilton. Globalisation is an overall force for good since it takes capitalist activity to parts of the world that were previously lacking its benefits. "It makes people richer and more free. Capitalism is the greatest force for good the world has ever seen". Martin Wolf and Will Hutton will also be crossing swords over the nature of our global future, in what is sure to be a provocative and highly entertaining evening. Chaired and Sponsored by The New Statesman Tickets 15 each (normal price 20) To book tickets call 020 7494 3345 or send an email to info@intelligencesquared.com. Please visit our website for further information www.intelligencesquared.com. We look forward to welcoming you to the debate. Intelligence Squared Limited 45 Foubert's Place London W1F 7QH t: 020 7494 3345 f: 020 7575 1809 e: info@intelligencesquared.com w: www.intelligencesquared.com