In The News

Quietly Sprouting: A European Identity

Katrin Bennhold April 27, 2005
Recent debate over the ratification of the EU constitution indicates that the political unification of Europe may lag behind its cultural, educational, and economic unification. Today, many Europeans, from countries far in the west to newly-admitted EU member states in the east, admit to feeling more "European" than any distinct nationality. While strong associations with a home country...

The New Nationalism

David Ignatius April 20, 2005
As examples of nationalist sentiment appear around the globe, it seems that the world has entered a new era. Contrary to many analysts' beliefs, writes Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, a more interconnected world has not, in fact, eliminated the need for political borders; it has actually increased the intensity of nationalism. Citizen protests, market protectionism, nuclear...

Lou Dobbs Fuels American Immigration Paranoia

Evelyn Shih April 18, 2005
As the dollar continues its steady fall, many Americans have begun to fear a permanent downward spiral of the entire economy. According to this Yale Herald opinion, CNN anchor Lou Dobbs blames outsourcing and illegal immigration for this trend. For over a year, Dobbs has dedicated a permanent segment on his daily news show to those two subjects, speaking to a willing audience of middle-class...

This Is the Sound of Globalization

Jon Pareles April 15, 2005
While nation-states maintain tariffs and strictly control immigration, music needs no passport. Artists are increasingly mixing local, traditional forms with those borrowed from other parts of the world. The New York Times compiled a list of musical fusions from every corner of the globe. Thanks to the digital production and distribution – and of course, the internet – eager listeners may access...

Asia Battles over War History

David McNeill April 11, 2005
The worsening relations between Japan and its northeast Asian neighbors sank a few notches as demonstrators in China attacked Japanese diplomatic missions and businesses. South Koreans, too, have vented their anger at Japan's attempt to whitewash history. Recently, Japan's Ministry of Education has approved history and civics textbooks for use in schools that are either silent over past...

Next Pope Faces Concerns Over Poverty, Islam, Technology

Laurie Goodstein April 5, 2005
Pope John Paul II's recent death sparked both worldwide mourning and speculation as to who would succeed him. When the College of Cardinals convenes for conclave in around two weeks, they will have to weigh different challenges facing the church today, and which candidate is best equipped to deal with them. Should the next pope be from Africa or Latin America and address the poverty and...

Internet Fans Flames of Chinese Nationalism

Paul Mooney April 4, 2005
An online petition protesting Japan's bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat has reportedly garnered over 22 million Chinese signatories. And as anti-Japanese discourse grows ever-more incendiary in cyberspace, the Chinese government may wonder how far "power to the people" should go. Journalist Paul Mooney writes that Beijing truly finds itself in a bind: While condoning...