Stiglitz answers the question why globalization and world trade has not delivered on its promise of increased well being as much as classical economists thought, by pointing to the power asymmetries: firstly, between industrialized nations and developing nations and secondly, between special corporate interest and social interests. In his analysis, developed countries and MNCs were able to extract the benefits, while shifting the costs (i.e. pollution) to states and communities with lesser power. Amongst many other historical examples the pharmaceutical and the mining industry are discussed to some length.

Ökologische und gesellschaftliche Faktoren finden auch innerhalb der Startup-Szene zunehmend Beachtung. Aber die Diskussion über die Verbindung von Gemeinnützigkeit und wirtschaftlicher Genügsamkeit steht noch am Anfang. Ein Beitrag von Daniel Bartel.