In The News

The World Is Still Round

Robert J. Samuelson July 21, 2005
The onslaught of globalization seems to be the issue on everyone's minds today: If proponents like New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman are to be believed, national borders are becoming irrelevant as constant improvements in transportation and communications transform the world into a single market. Contradicting Friedman's thesis, however, Newsweek columnist Robert J. Samuelson...

Global Revolution

Arindam Bhattacharya July 19, 2005
According to Boston Consulting Group leaders Arindam Bhattacharya and Arun Maira, the so-called "third wave" of globalization is giving unprecedented opportunity to emerging markets to reshape the global economy in their own image. Whereas the first and second phases of globalization cemented the dominance of the "triad" of North America, Europe, and Japan, the third step is...

France Grapples with Globalization

Sushma Ramchandran July 19, 2005
Facing increased pressure from analysts to rethink its economic policies, France is grappling with threats to its traditional way of life as a result of globalization. Although the French are accustomed to a relatively high standard of living, the government is being urged to reduce its huge subsidies, which support education and provide safety nets for the unemployed. In a country with an...

America’s Truth Deficit

William Greider July 18, 2005
With countless jobs moving overseas and a growing trade deficit amounting to 25 percent of GDP, the United States today is losing ground in global competition and becoming more dependent on its strategic rivals. Leaders in politics, business, finance, and the news media have long been reluctant to discuss these problems. Instead they have obscured the trade problems with debates about currency...

The Zapatistas: The Second Stage

Immanuel Wallerstein July 15, 2005
When NAFTA came into effect in January of 1994, the Zapatistas – a group representing the indigenous Mayans in Mexico – revolted in Chiapas, one of the poorest regions in the country, and drew attention to their right to autonomy. For the last 11 years, the Zapatista rebellion has reinvigorated anti-systemic movements around the world. The protests at the 1999 WTO meetings in Seattle, as well...

Africa Should Follow China Online

David Bowen July 12, 2005
Although there has recently been much talk about African entrepreneurs seeking to turn their continent around, David Bowen suggests that their prospects look bleak, particularly considering the lack of African commercial activity on the internet. Africa's situation is in stark contrast to that of Asia – especially China – where traders have taken advantage of online networking opportunities...

A Message to the South

Boutros Boutros-Ghali June 30, 2005
Is the UN in crisis? Former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali thinks so. He claims that the liberalized theories of globalization have eroded the importance of the UN’s core powers and responsibilities, and that solutions to the crisis are long-term and intricate. The newest crop of post-Cold War conflicts, increasingly difficult to resolve, leave a larger peacekeeping role for the UN. But...