The Times of India: Virulent Symptoms of Global Inequality Need Concerted Global Response

The uncertainty of a topsy-turvy world has many implications for global security and the global economy. Turkey is backing away from the United States and working with Russia on Syria; Saudi Arabia has turned on neighbor Qatar; Australia, wondering about US dependability, works with China; Russia supported a social media campaign that influenced the US presidential election; and in the United States, the Trump administration rejects one established policy after another. The global economy is picking up speed since the great recession of 2008, but the benefits are distributed unevenly among countries and individuals. Ongoing wars throughout the Middle East and severe poverty in many developing nations heighten desperation and drive refugees and other migrants to Europe and the other prosperous places. Global leaders are not responding to the inequality and the growing resentment felt by so many people. “Inequality spawned by globalisation, racial and sectarian violence fanned by opportunistic politicians and inflamed by social media need a concerted global response,” concludes Nayan Chanda, founding editor of YaleGlobal Online. “Instead, world leaders seeking only national glory and quick fix have turned to narrow solutions, oblivious of the need to rein in the runaway world.” – YaleGlobal