Odd Couple: International Trade and Labor Standards in History

It has become commonplace to think that globalization has produced a race to the bottom in terms of labor standards and quality of life: the cheaper the labor and the lower the benefits afforded workers, the more competitively a country can participate on the global stage. But in this book the distinguished economic historian Michael Huberman demonstrates that globalization has in fact been very good for workersand#8217; quality of life, and that improved labor conditions have promoted globalization.

"Michael Huberman's splendid book is bound to become a classic reference in the field, and is a superb example of how a skilled economic historian can use the past to illuminate both theand#160;present and future."and#8212;Kevin O'Rourke, Professor of Economics, Trinity College, Dublin

Michael Huberman is professor of history at the University of Montreal.