Graham Watson launches compendium of Liberal Democrat thinking on Globalisation

5.13.03pm GMT Wed 25th Jan 2006

Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE group of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament launches his latest publication on globalisation today in the European Parliament. The book represents an anthology of latest Liberal Democrat thought from 23 contributors on a wide range of issues linked to the issue of globalisation - economic, security, media, environmental, development and human rights issues.

The book is being launched on the same day as the Commission publish their spring evaluation report on meeting the Lisbon challenge which will kick off more debate on how the European economies are facing up to global commercial pressures and their knock-on effects on society.

"All contributors believe that globalisation offers humankind greater opportunities than dangers. All see the development of the European Union as an essential tool for its member states in responding to globalisation and as a model for supranational cooperation to cope with supranational challenges" said Watson.

"This book demonstrates the instinctive optimism that Liberal Democrats hold for the future through international exchange, trade and common endeavours. The authors address many controversial aspects linked to some of the effects of 'globalisation' but argue that all the world's ills cannot be conveniently blamed on a phenomenon of the modern era but rather on the imperfect way in which some governments and organisations approach it."

Editors note:

"Liberal Democracy and Globalisation", edited by Graham Watson MEP, Bagehot publishing, Langport, Somerset, January 2006

Contributions from:

Alfonso Andria, Emma Bonino, Maria Carlshamre, Jean-Marie Cavada, Marielle de Sarnez, Antonio di Pietro, Mojca Drcar Murko, Antoine Duquesne, Lena Ek, Jelko Kacin, Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Sarah Ludford, Jules Maaten, Philippe Morillon, Bill Newton-Dunn, Emma Nicholson, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Siiri Oviir, Karin Riis-Jorgensen, Istvan Szent-Ivanyi, Graham Watson.