In The News

Mirror, Mirror on the Web

Lakshmi Chaudhry January 17, 2007
From toddlers who recite the capital cities of every state or play classical music to teens who promote their charity fundraisers or analysis of globalization, anyone can pursue fame on internet sites like youtube.com. The site allows anyone with access to a digital video camera to critique the world’s most famous actors, journalists, musicians or politicians - and display his or her own skills...

Attack of the Zombie Computers Is Growing Threat

John Markoff January 12, 2007
Everyday, computer users at home and work receive dozens, even hundreds, of messages that range from the threatening to the nonsensical. Skilled hackers can secretly install programs on personal computers, banding them together to reproduce more unwanted messages. A recent menace is stock tips: Computers pass along free tips on penny stocks; then the ringleader, who has already purchased shares,...

Technology, Not Globalization, Is Driving Wages Down

Jagdish Bhagwati January 10, 2007
Confronting wage stagnation, US labor groups blame trade and immigration from developing countries. But economic research does not support the assertion that competition with developing nations reduces either wages or bargaining power, argues Columbia University professor Jagdish Bhagwali of Columbia University. If anything, ongoing technological innovations reduce the need for unskilled labor,...

Globalization Story Still Has a Long Way to Go

Daniel Altman January 10, 2007
Analysts may argue that globalization has passed its peak, while encouraging terror, crime and disease. But such analysis ignores the data, argues Daniel Altman who writes a globalization column for “The International Herald Tribune.” Exports of merchandise and trade in commercial services increased by 60 percent, value of global mergers and acquisitions increased by almost 40 percent, and...

Lawsuit Called Opening Salvo in Chinese Media War

Howard French January 3, 2007
A major Chinese newspaper is seeking damages from Tom.com, which republishes articles and photographs without authorization – and that could open a new frontier for intellectual-property rights protection in a country that has long been known for its free-for-all ways. Industry leaders in film, music and design have long complained about Chinese copycat firms that immediately steal and duplicate...

Globalization: Latin America Improves, Brazil Worsens

Joachim Bamrud December 28, 2006
Panama is the most globalized country of Latin America, and Brazil is the least, according to the 2006 Latin American Globalization Index from “Latin Business Chronicle.” Member nations of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement lead the list of most globalized nations in Latin America, with all except the Dominican Republic improving scores. The index ranks countries on...

Seeking Iran Intelligence, U.S. Tries Google

Dafna Linzer December 15, 2006
With the Central Intelligence Agency busy, the US State Department turned to Google to track individuals linked to Iran’s nuclear development program, collecting names that emerged most often when searching for “Iran” and “nuclear.” Critics question whether a Google search is the best way for tracking down targets for international sanctions that involve limiting their travel and freezing assets...