In The News

Indian Americans Come Out

Manjeet Kripalani January 24, 2007
Indian Americans, armed with advanced degrees and above-average incomes, are a formidable force in US politics, as evidenced by swift approval of the US-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. Even longstanding supporters of nuclear nonproliferation supported the act that permits the sale of nuclear technology to India for civilian purposes and allows for more inspections of nuclear sites...

Who Screwed Up Globalization?

Steven Weber January 23, 2007
Activists who attend the World Social Forum in Africa look for ways to slow or even reverse some parts of globalization. The activists worry about common global problems that go unsolved – pollution, global warming, health risks, overpopulation – because no profits stem from tackling such issues. Favorite targets for activists’ wrath, since the first World Social Forum gathering in Porto Alegre...

Muslims “Get” Globalization, But Does It Get Them?

Mehmood Kazmi January 22, 2007
The last half-century has seen an unmistakable rise in income levels and life-expectancy in Muslim-majority countries, but their citizens have a negative impression of globalization. International business consultant Mehmood Kazmi attributes this antagonism to the widening chasm of misunderstanding in Muslim-Western relations. With a history of cultural domination over the West followed by...

The Other Malaysia: ASEAN and Globalization

Farish A Noor January 18, 2007
An integrated world economy is seen by many as beneficial for the developing world, but recent events in Southeast Asia cause some to question this optimism. After an announcement to impose controls on foreign capital in Thailand led to a 14 percent drop in Bangkok’s stock market, the newly-installed government was forced to retract its statement in a desperate effort to avoid a repeat of the...

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...

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...