In The News

Clinton and Obama Emphasize Economic Themes

John M. Broder February 18, 2008
Candidates for US president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are neck in neck, battling to win the Democratic nomination. To attract votes, both have adopted a populist stance and make plenty of economic promises to workers. Many border on assistance, including programs to help homeowners facing foreclosure or workers pay for health care. Growing income disparity tempts voters and candidates to...

Iran: Does Government Fear Educated Women?

Iraj Gorgin February 12, 2008
Iran’s parliamentary research arm has reported on new trends of rising numbers of Iranian women enrolling in higher-education programs. Women in the Islamic society must contend with limited rights in the law and the workplace, and thus many pursue education to become competitive for the limited opportunities available to females, suggests one activist. Increased female enrollment could lead to...

12 Million Shadows: America’s Immigration Dilemma

Joseph Chamie February 4, 2008
It may appear odd for a country created by migrants, but illegal immigration has emerged as one of the most contentious issues in US politics, especially in the presidential election campaign. In polls, a majority of Americans support immigration yet oppose shortcuts for immigrants who enter the country by illegal means. A major challenge is what to do about an estimated 12 million illegal aliens...

Jobs for the Children of Globalization

Tim Weber January 29, 2008
Today’s children, the future workforce for the world, will confront intense competition in a world where workers are mobile, projects can be shipped instantly over the internet and customers everywhere demand bargain prices. Advising children to pursue an education is no longer adequate. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, a session on career advice for children was overbooked; attendees...
January 28, 2008
Corporate boards reflect the values of a company and their national culture. Although multiple forces pressure firms around the globe to follow the US-model of corporate governance, divergent styles do emerge and challenge the status quo. Major institutional investors have long invested in US markets and appreciated strong regulations on how companies audit and organize their boards. Those huge...

Snap-On Parts Didn’t Click Together for Boeing Jet

Jeff Bailey January 17, 2008
Manufacturing electronic products by assembling specialized parts from multiple suppliers has increased productivity and reduced costs in recent years. But the assembly method that relies on outsourcing for parts can be complicated to reverse. Behind schedule and hoping to speed its process, Boeing asked suppliers to send unassembled sections. “Instead, Boeing has ended up with a pile of parts...

Workers’ Paradise?

Kenneth Rogoff January 17, 2008
The expansion of global trade eroded the status of national and local unions. Yet as many workers in the world’s wealthiest nations worry about the status of their jobs, politicians who want to win and stay in office increasingly respond to the anxiety by pandering to unions. “After decades of vilification by economists for raising unemployment and strangling growth, the union movement is now...