In The News

Learning Chinese in Mexico: Children Prepare for the Future

Tracy Wilkinson June 9, 2010
Despite its tough policies on Asian immigration, Mexico hurries to increase economic and cultural exchanges with China. Mexico, late among Latin American nations to sign a free-trade agreement with the rising giant, is now China's second largest Latin American commercial partner and the largest importer of Chinese products in the region. Responding to global economic trends and China's...

Move Over US Soaps, Telenovelas Seduce the Globe

Susan Froetschel June 1, 2010
There was time when the US dominated daytime television programming with soap operas designed for housewives. Spanning decades, television producers and storylines kept up with social themes, like AIDS or racism, but did not adjust to changing US demographics or work patterns. Directors in Mexico, on the other hand, tweaked the US model early on, initially emphasizing Catholic values, but also...

Taming Globalization? Kebabs, Mini-Skirts and Meth – Part I

Jamsheed K. Choksy and Carol E.B. Choksy May 18, 2010
Politicians try to rile or sooth citizens as needed with a few select details of globalization. Yet with the speed and far-reaching nature of modern trade, travel and communication, these attempts to corral bits and pieces of globalization are futile. A savvy public – young or old – comes to understand other intricate connections and recognize the attempts as distractions from far more serious...

As Rupees Roll Into Hollywood, India Is Opening Up on All Fronts

Nyay Bhushan May 11, 2010
The international film industry is increasingly transformed by globalization. A prominent example is Bollywood: Film studios in India partner with US studios on new movie projects, with financial support and actors crossing national borders. Bollywood and Hollywood both look for long-term growth, teaming up and reaching into the other’s territory. Globalization creates new opportunities and...

Globalization Helps Spread 'Exotic' Diseases

Muiris Houston May 5, 2010
Globalization means increased travel and tourism for many people in the developed world. But when travelers return home, they can bring more than photographs and memories. Often unbeknownst to them, pathogens travel on their bodies and with belongings. In recent years, Europe has seen the outbreak of a handful of diseases traditionally associated with the tropical world. Northern Italy saw...

Listening to (and Saving) the World’s Languages

Sam Roberts May 4, 2010
Immigrants in New York City have made it a place of remarkable linguistic diversity. There are an estimated 800 languages spoken, meaning that globalization has allowed languages born in every corner of the world to gather in New York City. As globalization places a priority on a handful of major languages in the world for business purposes, other languages have become rare and are dying out. But...

'Imam for Peace' Sows Discontent

Ullrich Fichtner April 29, 2010
An immigrant imam in suburban France is drawing notice for his teachings. Hassen Chalghoumi preaches against the wearing of the full-bodied veil by Islamic women and seeks to make Islam accommodating to European countries. While Chalghoumi enjoys support from many non-Muslim French, including President Nicolas Sarkozy, he has attracted increasing criticism from Muslims, who argue that France...