[OPE] Rick Rowden _The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism_

‘The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism provides a powerful, compelling analysis of the little-known impact of international financial institutions on countless people suffering without access to health services around the world. Rowden's passionate interrogation of the controversial macroeconomic policies embraced by the IMF is compelling and accessible, set against the high-stakes struggle for access to HIV treatment in developing countries. This book should be required reading at the IMF.’
Asia Russell, Director of International Policy, Health GAP (Global Access Project)

'The timing of Rowden’s superb book couldn’t be better. The global financial crisis has diminished support for health programs by wealthy countries and development organizations at the same time as developing countries are facing deep fiscal crises and severe pressure from the IMF to reduce spending. Rowden’s masterful work demonstrates the dangers associated with such policies, and provides health advocates with the information, arguments and motivation they need to win the battle against policies that, quite literally, kill.'
Ilene Grabel, Professor, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver

'This book is an extraordinary achievement. It includes a careful study of the political economy of HIV/AIDS and a clear explanation of the economic policies associated with neoliberalism and the IMF. Rowden shows that neoliberalism and IMF policies bear a significant responsibility for the limitations of health policies and budgets in the poor countries and, especially, for the insufficiencies of prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.'
Professor Alfredo Saad Filho, Head of Department of Development Studies SOAS

‘A masterful account of the little known link between ideologically distorted "mainstream" economic theories, IMF policies, and the deadly impact these can have on developing countries. An activist and an extremely well-read and informed student of economics, Rowden has woven a convincing and powerful tale of the human costs of bad theory and bad policy, especially in the area of public health and AIDs in the developing world. His is also an inspiring tale of how informed and dedicated activism can make a crucial difference to the lives of the least priveleged.’
Gerald Epstein Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) University of Massachusetts, Amherst

The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism explores the history of and current collision between two of the major global phenomena that have characterized the last 30 years: the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases of poverty and the ascendancy of neoliberal economic ideas. The book explains not only how IMF policies of restrictive spending have exacerbated public health problems in developing countries, in particular the HIV/AIDS crisis, but also how such issues cannot be resolved under these economic policies. It also suggests how mounting global frustration about this inability to adequately address HIV/AIDS will ultimately lead to challenges to the dominant neoliberal ideas, as other more effective economic ideas for increasing public spending are sought.

In stark, powerful terms, Rowden offers a unique and in-depth critique of development economics, the political economy dynamics of global foreign aid and health institutions, and how these seemingly abstract factors play out in the real world - from the highest levels of global institutions to African finance and health ministries to rural health outposts in the countryside of developing nations, and back again.

The Deadly Ideas of Neoliberalism by Rick Rowden is published by Zed Books, priced £18.99/$34.95 ISBN 9781848132856. For more information or to request a review copy please contact Ruvani de Silva on 020 7837 8466 or ruvani.de_silva@zedbooks.net.

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Received on Mon Nov 23 09:00:30 2009