This is a review of Surviving Capitalism from the Journal of the Society of Business Economists. The original page is here:

Adjustment problems are a major issue in the political acceptability of economic change, whether that change is the result of technical advances or movements in comparative advantage between communities or countries. Although more-keenly evident in democracies, they are a factor in all systems of government. It is curious therefore, that outside the political arena, they are largely ignored. This is particularly so amongst economists concerned with international trade, where debate tends to be increasingly polarised between those who support globalisation and those – notably NGOs – to whom it is an evil manifestation of capitalism, the unleashing of the market on those unable to defend themselves against it.

By virtue of its title, Surviving Capitalism is likely to evoke instinctive sympathy from the latter group, and similar hostility from the first. This is unfortunate, for the author, Erik Ringmar, until recently of the London School of Economics (he resigned in May), accepts capitalism as the fundamental motor of economic development. He also accepts the process of globalisation, or at least the steady broadening of the world economy which it now exemplifies. This is noteworthy, as Ringmar is not an economist, and indeed is quite hostile at times to the discipline (his view of the market is of the untamed monster school). His purpose however is not to discuss whether changes are beneficial or otherwise, but to look at the social and economic challenges they create for those affected by them, and how they are solved.

In so doing, he concentrates on the role played by institutions, ranging from family structures to trade unions and government, in mitigating the adverse effects of economic dislocation on those caught up in it. He does so even-handedly, dealing equally with the adjustment problems of communities in developed countries faced with unemployment, and those in the developing world facing the destruction of settled agrarian societies as industrialisation accelerates. In all cases he demonstrates how the institutional structures of the communities are used by those affected to modify the effects to the benefit of the participants.

I just bought a new computer: an ASUS UL30Vt.  It was only 29,000 NT dollars, some $900 US, and it's completely outstanding -- just as good as my old Vaio, but super-light and with 10 hours of battery time.  A nice screen too and a full-size keyboard.  My theory was that the competitors had caught up with ASUS by now, but that's clearly not the case.  This model will sell millions and millions.  You should get one!

I was pretty upset with ASUS about a laptop I bought a few years back. The hinges on the screen broke almost right away, and I immediately started cursing "cheap Taiwanese crap."  But visiting the ASUS service center here in Xinzhu made me change my mind. As it turns out, the "cheap crap" was not made in Taiwan, but in China; they apologized and replaced the hinges immediately and for free, although I hadn't kept any of the paperwork. I left the service center a great ASUS fan.  If my new computer breaks, I know where to take it.

A weird experience: in the large computer center where I bought the laptop, a booth was displaying projector TVs: very tall blond women were strutting around on very large screens wearing nothing but their underwear.  I guess these kinds of women appeal to computer nerds. Sexy! But I must say, my first reaction was to think of my own house in the mornings. That's exactly what it's like  around here -- tall, blond, women strutting around in their underwear.  And actually it's not that great.  Usually the strutting is accompanied by complaints about pants that can't be found and makeup that's been misplaced. Before long everybody is yelling and things don't calm down before they're all off to school.

We're in Langkawi, the new vacation paradise the Europeans have discovered in the very north of Malaysia, towards the border with Thailand. Yes, the beaches are gorgeous, the water is pleasant, and the temperature is 28 degrees in the shade. But our hotel is pretty seedy, and food is about 25% more expensive and 25% less palatable than in other parts of Malaysia. And there are lots of jelly-fish in the water. Three of us got stung and Saga pretty badly. Rima screamed bloody murder when the creature got to her, and immediately a bunch of handsome, tanned, lifeguards came running up to save her. My girls liked that (and one older English lady immediately went into the water hoping to be rescued in a similar manner).

Half of the people here are Swedes. Very strange. I guess all the millions of Swedes who used to go to Thailand now have moved on to Malaysia. Swedes too do everything in groups. I hate to be mistaken for a Swede on vacation, sitting baking in the sun, going on excursions to assorted "sights" -- but I don't know the country and I don't speak Malay.  I can't uphold any claims to insider status. And most annoying of all: since I can't really eat curries, I'm always forced to go to "pizzerias" and order cheese and macaroni! The indignity!  The places where I want to eat the least are the only places where I can get the food down.

Much as we have good reasons to complain about our hotel, at least we aren't in one of those "all-inclusive" resorts, places hermetically sealed off from the rest of the world where all food and services are provided by the hotel itself. All resorts like that are the same around the world, and the whole point is to isolate the tourists from the country they are in (and the other way around).  Places like that are offensive -- obstacles to encounters between people and cultures.

Langkawi is not Malaysia.  Malaysia is a lot nicer than this, cheaper and better tasting.  We're off to Kuala Lumpur tonight and it will be a great relief.  I guess paradise really isn't for us.

Really scary update: A Swedish woman died in January this year on this very beach after being stung by a jellyfish. "It happened so fast," said her family members to Dagens Nyheter. "It only took 4 to 5 seconds."  Apparently, the Malaysian authorities have tried to cover up the incident, claiming that the woman died "by drowning."  And there were no warning signs anywhere on the beach. We could have died!