Exploring the Global Economy

The VCR, which was invented in America, is now in over 80% of American households. 100% of those VCRs, however, were not made in America. It's another one of those economic quirks that America is starting to catch on to (but not quite fast enough to prevent the loss of a good part of our microchip industry). Disney was right, it is a small world after all when it comes to economics, and the level of financial interconnectedness between nations is growing almost exponentially in the new global age. Exploring the Global Economy is a handsomely produced overview of the new world order, money-wise, in which good graphics, charts, and video clips, aided by host Rebecca Webb's easy to follow explanations, introduce viewers to the basics of trade--the cornerstone of the global economy. Viewers will learn about the necessity for balance between imports and exports, and what happens when the equation is terribly one-sided in imports (angry accountants, floundering economy, the works; they'll also learn about fluctuating currency values and how exchange rates adjusted elsewhere ultimately will come home to the U.S. consumer in the form of higher or lower costs. Inside the Global Economy (VL-1/95) is far more comprehensive, but Exploring the Global Economy offers an excellent concise introduction to the subject, and unlike the former also makes fine use of the video medium. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)