In The News

Europe's Political Parties Buffeted by Globalization

Jonathan Fenby September 8, 2005
September 18, the date of the German elections, marks a crucial moment in European politics. The poll results will reveal whether the burgeoning protest movements will continue to nibble away at the mainstream parties. As Jonathan Fenby writes, moderate left-right political polarity in Europe may be giving way to a more fragmented system. Haunted by the specter of the ‘Polish plumber’ and...

Globalization: A View From Africa

September 8, 2005
The effects of globalization, both positive and negative, vary across a wide spectrum, from society to culture to religion to economics. According to this commentary in Botswana's Mmegi newspaper, the process of globalization is fueled by the interaction of transnational corporations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. The issue of trade...

A Chasm Grows in "Flat" World

Mark Trumbull September 7, 2005
"In theory," writes Mark Trumbull in The Christian Science Monitor, "as economies open up to commerce, there should be greater equality of opportunities – and incomes." Unfortunately, as Trumbull reports, globalization is not the ultimate cure for poverty, as others may have hoped. While the economies of countries like China and India have certainly blossomed with increased...

India's Mini-Multinationals Make Waves in Western Markets

Anand Giridharadas September 2, 2005
As India gains economic strength, its entrepreneurs are acquiring increasing numbers of overseas companies. In the first eight months this year, Indian companies paid US$1.7 billion for 62 foreign businesses, including a German metal forge, a South Korean truck maker, and a British tea company. The Indian as global owner marks a clear reversal for a country with vivid memories of its own...

Edwardian Summer

Larry Elliott August 18, 2005
Can the world learn from its past follies? The Guardian economics editor Larry Elliott examines this question, as he draws parallels between the "first" age of globalization – just prior to World War I – and the current second phase. There are several similarities between the two eras: belief in unrestricted capital flows and free trade, profound income inequality, and large-scale...

How France Can Win From Offshoring

Tony Blanco August 15, 2005
The debate over benefits of outsourcing centers to companies and to a country’s economy versus its cost to displaced workers at home, has heated up in France. As France struggles to compete in the global economy, the authors suggest that it should strive to take full advantage of outsourcing. They recommend several tactics that could derive similar benefits from outsourcing, while minimizing...

All Cultures Are Not Equal

David Brooks August 11, 2005
"The gospel of multiculturalism preaches that all groups and cultures are equally wonderful," writes David Brooks – and then proceeds to refute this notion in this commentary. Rather, Brooks suggests that globalization, rather than giving rise to a unified world culture, has actually further segmented the global population. Due to increased ease of communication and travel, he writes...