In The News

A McDonald’s Ally in Paris

John Tabliabue June 23, 2006
Despite the theft of a plastic figure of Ronald McDonald and the bulldozer attack of one restaurant – all to protest the Americanization of France – the French continue to dine at McDonald’s. Learning from the attacks, a McDonald’s executive started an ad campaign to educate consumers about the corporation, its all-French ingredients and employees. Europe now has more than 6,000 McDonald’s, with...

Students in a World of Trouble

J. Michael Adams June 20, 2006
Though many American public school students are surrounded by diverse cultures and languages, two recent publications show that most “are likely to be unprepared to compete and lead in a global work environment,” according to the Committee for Economic Development’s report on the value of international studies. J. Michael Adams and Angelo Carfagna argue that maintaining a US hold in the global...

Young People's Protests Are Easy to Mock – But Ignore Them at Your Peril

Gary Younge June 19, 2006
Young political protesters mobilize around the globe, with successful protests conducted by younger, poorer and darker-skinned activists. Gary Younge, columnist for The Guardian, rejects nostalgia over May 1968, noting that the generation grew older and quickly embraced policies of fear and insecurity. Instead, he welcomes young achievements burgeoning in new ways: Chilean student walk-outs,...

Managing Globalization: Selling Globally, Pitching Locally

Daniel Altman June 16, 2006
Critics of globalization claim that the domination of global brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike has squashed local business and culture. Multinational corporations, however, find it more effective to play on local cultures in advertising their products. Technology allows advertisers to create more than 200 separate ads – changing colors of a flag or language of a greeting with a touch of a button...

Elections Expand Voting Rights for Foreigners, Younger Citizens

Cho Chung-un June 15, 2006
South Korea seeks to make the most of democracy by granting foreigners and young Koreans the right to vote in larger numbers than ever before in the country’s local elections. Integration of foreigners is a major concern throughout the world, but South Korea is the first Asian country to grant voting rights to foreigners who have lived in the country for three or more years. The move could prove...

The Geopolitics of Football

Pascal Boniface June 14, 2006
Can sports – and football in particular – be globalization’s answer to deeply rooted conflict? Do football matches unleash or build tensions between countries who struggle diplomatically? Rituals of the match, such as waving flags or singing anthems, can inject new passion into national rivalries or also diffuse hostility. Games reflect larger issues and allow “for symbolically limited...

It’s Been Too Good for Too Long

Peter Hartcher June 13, 2006
Consumers, businesses and even countries have indulged in debt, funding all sorts of projects, from the luxurious to the ludicrous. But central banks around the world are acting to end the days of cheap liquidity, removing money and pushing up interest rates, warns journalist Peter Hartcher. After years of low interest rates and excessive spending, the US and its big spenders have most reason to...