In The News

Chinese Turn to Civic Power as a New Tool

Howard W. French April 19, 2006
It’s human nature to complain. As China encounters more social problems – land seizures, accidental AIDS transmissions, pollution and corruption – citizens expect some legal recourse. Disgruntled citizens turn to the media, community groups and even public protests to point out social problems. Nongovernmental organizations – more than 280,000 registered in all – have taken a lead in giving...

Mothers Want Hope for Their Children

Sonia Nazario April 19, 2006
The tide of illegal immigrants to American shores has become unmanageable, with numbers far outstripping those at any other time in US history. Immigrants take jobs that are unpopular with native US workers, often at reduced wages, thus allowing US firms to compete globally. The immigrant workforce reduces US food and clothing costs and makes child-care readily available for US families,...

Indonesia’s Progressive Form of Islam Is Not Something That Thailand Needs to Fear

Don Pathan April 17, 2006
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country and plays a leading role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As a result, Indonesians question how Muslims of the Middle East determine international perceptions of Islam and recognize the potential for serving as a guiding force. Indonesia could offer a stabilizing influence in Malay-speaking southern Thailand where 1200 people have...

Europe’s Next Immigration Crisis

Alkman Granitsas April 11, 2006
From the Mediterranean to Eastern Europe to the Balkans, the periphery of Europe is booming as countries liberalize their markets and shake off the effects of 50 years of communism. The economic activity has attracted immigrants from impoverished lands – along with the first stirrings of racial intolerance. The immigrant experience of “Old Europe” suggests that three factors lead to society’s...

China Curbs Magazines from Foreign Publishers

Geoffrey A. Fowler April 10, 2006
All kinds of international firms look eagerly to booming China as the world’s largest market, particularly its growing urban class. Competition requires not only preparing a product, but also knowing Chinese regulations. China has long taken steps to control what its citizens can buy – and publishers have discovered that the government will limit lifestyle magazines for Chinese shopping lists....

Invest Globally, Stagnate Locally

Daniel Gross April 6, 2006
US and European companies continue to accumulate wealth, yet neither the overall economies nor the labor forces have joined the ride. Traditional theory once suggested that climbing corporate profits promote investment, create jobs and increase consumer demand, eventually driving up wages as well. With global markets, companies enjoy far-reaching success, maintaining control over distribution...

Dying Swan Dance

Boris Khukov April 5, 2006
As a threat, bird flu elicits different reactions. When a German cat died from the flu, panic spread throughout Europe until scientists explained that a cat spreading the virus to humans was an unlikely scenario. Russians have also been wary about the flu, despite periodic government reassurances, with some conspiracy theorists describing the virus as a “leak from a bioweapons factory” or a...