In The News

Work-From-Home Becomes New Normal: Korea Times

Anna J. Park March 20, 2020
With countries encouraging isolation and shelter-in-place and communities put into lockdown, companies encourage employees who can to work from home. “A recent report by Hana Financial Investment pointed out that so-called ‘telecommuting,’ or working from home, has been increasing since the 2000s with the rapid development of information technology, and it was to grow in the near future, even...

Denmark the New “American Dream”? PIIE

Jacob Funk Kirkegaard March 2, 2020
Denmark may represent a new version of the American dream, as voters and Democratic candidates in the US presidential race seek secure benefits, especially affordable health care. An OECD study suggests that low-income families in Denmark, due to reduced inequality, can enter the middle class in two generations whereas low-income US families require five generations. Such reduced inequality comes...

Lebanon on “Brink of Chaos”: Washington Post

Liz Sly February 17, 2020
Lebanon’s peaceful protests that began in October have turned violent in the face of further economic collapse in early 2020. For instance, a protest in late January saw “heavily armed troops joined riot police at the scene, some carrying shoulder-launched rockets.” Protestors and security forces have begun clashing in recent weeks, with police resorting to firing rubber bullets, teargas and...

Why Parasite Won Best Picture Oscar: Screen Rant

Kayleigh Donaldson February 10, 2020
Global audiences embrace stories with global themes. The film Parasite won four Academy Awards, including best picture. The satire explores equality in South Korea: A struggling family with few qualifications connive their way into working for a wealthy family clueless about their own self-worth. The son is tutor, daughter is art therapist, father as chauffer and mother as housekeeper. Kayleigh...

Wage Transparency: New Frame

Carlos Amato February 1, 2020
Wage inequality thrives on secrecy. Members of society have some insights: some positions pay minimum wage, teacher and government salaries are public information, and annual reports disclose CEO salaries and benefits. It’s no coincidence that Norway, Sweden and Finland are societies with greater equality and “every taxpayer’s annual income and tax payments are transparent,” explains Carlos Amato...

“Public Charge” Immigration Rule: Politico

Susannah Luthi January 30, 2020
US officials have expressed a preference for wealthy immigrants, and the poor can expect challenges in obtaining green cards that allow permanent residency and work. The US Supreme Court voted 5 to 4, allowing “the controversial immigration rules go forward even as lower courts wrestle with multiple legal challenges against them,” reports Susannah Luthi for Politico. “The policy in question would...

Indifference to Muslim Woes: Financial Times

Edward Luce January 2, 2020
The world’s western leaders would express outrage if China detailed a million Christians or if India pointedly excluded refugees who identify as Christians. About 1.8 billion people, a quarter of the world’s population, are Muslim. “By downplaying much larger-scale violations against Muslims, [western leaders] jeopardise what remains of the west’s human rights credibility,” argues Edward Luce for...