Martin Khor

Martin Khor was a prominent Malaysian economist and activist who worked tirelessly to promote sustainable development and social justice in Asia and around the world, often collaborating with organizations like the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Trade Organization. He was a key figure in the Third World Network, a non-governmental organization that aims to promote equitable development and human rights in the Global South. Khor's work was influenced by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Che Guevara, and Frantz Fanon, and he often engaged with scholars like Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen on issues related to globalization and economic development. He also drew inspiration from the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.

● Early Life and Education

Martin Khor was born in Penang, Malaysia, and grew up in a family that valued social justice and human rights, often discussing the ideas of Lee Kuan Yew and the People's Action Party of Singapore. He pursued his higher education at the University of Cambridge, where he studied economics and was influenced by the works of John Maynard Keynes and Karl Marx. During his time at Cambridge, Khor was exposed to the ideas of Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, which shaped his perspective on global politics and economic development. He also developed an interest in the Asian financial crisis and the International Monetary Fund's response to it, often citing the examples of Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.

● Career

Khor began his career as a journalist, working for the New Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur, where he covered stories on politics, economy, and social issues in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. He later joined the Third World Network as a researcher and writer, focusing on issues related to trade, investment, and sustainable development in the Global South. Khor's work took him to various parts of the world, including Geneva, where he engaged with the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and New York City, where he worked with the United Nations Development Programme and the Ford Foundation. He also collaborated with scholars like Ha-Joon Chang and Robert Wade on issues related to economic development and global governance.

● Advocacy and Activism

As an advocate and activist, Khor worked tirelessly to promote social justice and human rights in Asia and around the world, often citing the examples of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. He was a vocal critic of neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus, which he believed had exacerbated inequality and poverty in the Global South. Khor was also a strong advocate for climate justice and sustainable development, working with organizations like the Climate Justice Now! coalition and the Sustainable Development Goals initiative of the United Nations. He drew inspiration from the Rio Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol, and often engaged with scholars like Naomi Klein and Bill McKibben on issues related to climate change and environmental justice.

● Selected Works

Khor was a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on issues related to trade, investment, and sustainable development. Some of his notable works include "Rethinking Globalization" and "The WTO and the South", which were influenced by the ideas of Samir Amin and Immanuel Wallerstein. He also edited several books, including "The Eagle and the Tiger" and "Tigers in Trouble", which explored the economic development experiences of East Asia and the Asian financial crisis. Khor's work was widely cited by scholars like Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen, and he often collaborated with researchers from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics.

● Legacy and Impact

Martin Khor's legacy continues to inspire social justice and human rights activists around the world, from the Occupy Wall Street movement to the Arab Spring. His work on trade, investment, and sustainable development has had a significant impact on the Global South, influencing the policies of governments like Brazil, South Africa, and India. Khor's advocacy for climate justice and sustainable development has also contributed to the growing movement for environmental justice and human rights, often citing the examples of the Green Movement in Iran and the Landless Workers' Movement in Brazil. His work will continue to be remembered and celebrated by organizations like the Third World Network, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Ford Foundation, as well as by scholars like Noam Chomsky and Naomi Klein. Category:Malaysian economists