In recent years, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization have promoted world financial stability, prosperity, and free trade, yet one has to wonder why so many revile these organi-zations' programs to the point of rioting in the streets. Struck by this paradox, by the imbalance of wealth in the world, and by continued environmental destruction, despite our knowledge of its eventual consequences, author Dorval Brunelle decided to have a closer look.Alternative to Globalization first explains the functions and powers of the main institutions that govern globalization-the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization-along with the ramifications, both good and bad, of their policies. Then, taking the World Social Forum as its source of inspiration, the book examines the evolution of alternative development thinking and ideas, exploring the current challenges NGOs face in trying to influence policy. Brunelle warns that if we want to see the world change from how it is now to how it could be, we need to take a somewhat different approach by understanding, and insisting on, a clear distinction between "globalization and free trade" and "the world economy and fair trade." The former he sees as the cause of most of the world's problems, while the latter he suggests, would give more control to the people and take power away from corporations. In the end, what he presents is both a sober critique of globalization, as well as practical, thoughtful alternatives.Dorval Brunelle is professor of sociology at the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. As co-founder of the Research Group on Continental Integration, he has written extensively on globalization and free trade. Due to his interest in NGOs, he has taken part in two of the three World Social Forum conferences in Porto Alegre.