In The News

Ian Swanson November 1, 2007
The US Congress and Department of Commerce are considering raising tariffs on sock imports from Honduras. Passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement in 2005 decreased protections between the US and several Latin American states, and some analysts suggest that factories based in the US will close and move jobs to Honduras, with its low production costs. A Canadian company is taking...
Dan McDougall October 31, 2007
Western consumers enjoy inexpensive, yet intricate fashions – and don’t pay close attention who might be supplying the bargains. Reputable firms promise to monitor workplaces for any hint of abuse, yet children as young as 10 leave their homes and toil long hours in Indian sweatshops, sewing clothes for popular chains like the Gap. The children receive no pay other than the quick fee that goes to...
Michael L. Ross October 30, 2007
Governments with ample supplies of energy products find it easier to commit human-rights violations. Governments can use their oil and gas products to "buy their way out of trouble," writes political scientist Michael Ross for the Los Angeles Times. "Myanmar is Asia's fastest-growing petroleum exporter; China is the world's fastest-growing importer," he writes,...
Peter Kell October 29, 2007
The marketing of some products, particularly those targeting children, is irresponsible. Some firms make outlandish claims, all to make a profit. As a result, global consumer trust has declined both in rich and poor countries. Still, some countries regulate products and marketing more heavily than others. "As consumers we face the reality that product standards in other countries can have a...
Ewen MacAskill October 27, 2007
The US has imposed strict sanctions on Iran, suggesting that segments of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard contribute to destabilizing neighboring Iraq, increasing availability of weapons of mass destruction, and supporting Islamic fundamentalist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. “Any business continuing to trade with Iran risks US reprisals,” report Ewen MacAskill and Fred Attewil for the...
Amitav Acharya October 26, 2007
Western nations have tightened economic sanctions and ASEAN has expressed "revulsion" at Myanmar's repression of non-violent protests. Concrete actions must now follow the outrage. UN efforts to encourage talks on the country's constitution and renew humanitarian poverty relief, while positive, do not go far enough, argues Amitav Acharya, professor of global governance. Such...
Scott B. MacDonald October 24, 2007
Some analysts suggest that China and India are on a path to perpetual cooperation. Both are populous Asian nations experiencing high rates of economic growth with more exposure to international market forces. However, diverging political and economic ambitions could drive the two powerhouses into increasing rivalry over markets, natural resources or strategic partners, suggests Scott MacDonald, a...