The Hidden Globe, by Atossa Araxia Abrahmain - Keith
This is a fantastic insight into the shadow side of global capitalism and how governments worldwide use and abuse it.
The story starts in Switzerland and shows how a nation that is poor in resources needs to use its position in the rich and developing economic system of Western Europe to create a vibrant, hidden economy, how this model is adapted and used both by the champions of unrestrained capitalism and governments to promote development. The experiment often works and drags a state into high levels of development; sometimes, the conditions are not there, and the population gains little. Changes in global politics can suddenly turn the tables on these fragile states and turn a failing monster into a success, even in the most difficult environments.
The people behind these hidden global networks are very well portrayed. The book draws a robust analogy with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; these zones are sewn together, primarily by people with less-than-clear intentions, and sometimes, the parts match, and other times, they do not, and then they fail. However, the book does not explain the reasons for failure. The lack of cheap energy or division within the population could all be found.
Keith
