In The News

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...

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...

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...