The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy

An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy takes the reader on a fascinating, around-the-world journey to reveal the economic and political lessons from the life story of a simple product in a highly competitive global marketplace. Over a five-year period, business professor Pietra Rivoli traveled from a Texas cotton field to a Chinese factory, and from trade negotiations in Washington to a used clothing market in Africa, to investigate firsthand compelling questions about the politics, economics, ethics, and history of today's international business landscape. Looking closely at the lives of Texas cotton farmers, Chinese textile producers, and other colorful characters from around the world, Rivoli uses her t-shirt to illustrate crucial lessons in the globalization debate and to demonstrate the impact of markets and politics on both rich and poor countries. A clear-eyed examination of the workings of the global economy, as well as an engaging story, this important narrative reveals surprising secrets of success in world markets-and its price for individuals and communities around the world.

Content:
PREFACE.

PROLOGUE.

PART I: KING COTTON.

1. Reinsch Cotton Farm, Smyer, Texas.

2. The History of American Cotton.

3. Back at the Reinsch Farm.

PART II: MADE IN CHINA.

4. Cotton Comes to China.

5. The Long Race to the Bottom.

6. Sisters in Time.

PART III: TROUBLE AT THE BORDER.

7. Dogs Snarling Together.

8. Perverse Effects and Unintended Consequences of T-Shirt Trade Policy.

9. 40 Years of "Temporary" Protectionism Ends in 2005--and China Takes All the Jobs.

PART IV: MY T-SHIRT FINALLY ENCOUNTERS A FREE MARKET.

10. Where T-Shirts Go after the Salvation Army Bin.

11. How Small Entrepreneurs Clothe East Africa with Old American T-Shirts.

CONCLUSION.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

NOTES.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

INDEX.

Source: Wiley VCH

Also available as paperback