In The News

Quinoa’s Global Success Creates Quandary at Home

Simon Romero, Sara Shahriari March 23, 2011
In recent years, quinoa, a traditional Andean crop rich in amino acids and other nutritive properties, has become popular in health-food stores of the developed world. Foreign-aid organizations encouraged Bolivian farmers to take advantage of increased demand and grow more of the crop for export. As prices tripled over the past five years, local farmers earn more and fewer Bolivians immigrate....

Jasmine, Mideast and Beyond

Nayan Chanda March 22, 2011
Brutal crackdowns on demonstrators in Libya, Yemen and Bahrain may temporarily quiet the protests, but the anger and yearning for rights have not vanished, contends Nayan Chanda, editor of YaleGlobal Online in an essay for the Times of India. He warns, “the mix of combustibles that fuelled the Middle East fire are still smoldering.” Decades of repressive rule, widening income inequality and high...

Women's Rights in Afghanistan Lose Steam

Tom A. Peter March 9, 2011
As the world observed International Women's Day, news of the the fate of women in Afghanistan is discouraging. Since the US overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan a decade ago, women in urban communities gained basic human rights, including education, voting and the ability to step out onto public streets. But cultural resistance to equality in Afghanistan remains strong, reports Tom A....

Confucius on the Campus

Glenn Anthony May March 4, 2011
Since 2001, China has funded nonprofit Chinese language institutes in nearly100 countries. The institutes have since branched out into business and other areas while also funding scholarships and study in China. In an article for the Asia Sentinel, Glenn Anthony May of the University of Oregon points out that the centers of study come with conditions, including support for a one-China policy that...

Significance of Wisconsin Union Battle

Ellen Ratner March 3, 2011
Nonviolent protests in Egypt toppled a harsh regime, attracting interest and inspiring activism around the globe. Legislation proposing spending cuts and eliminating most collective-bargaining rights for workers in the US state of Wisconsin – even though the workers accepted wage and other cuts – ignited protests in mid-February. Protesters gathered at the capitol building in Madison, refusing to...

Europe Confronts Mediterranean Mayhem – Part II

Shada Islam March 2, 2011
In October, Angela Merkel pronounced that Germany’s multiculturalism has failed. Months later – amid massive protests against autocratic North African leaders whose policies long provided a bulwark for Europe – UK’s David Cameron and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy echoed her assessment. This YaleGlobal series suggests that Europe cannot bury its head in the sand, and instead must work with Muslim...

Bigger Abroad

February 23, 2011
A growing share of Hollywood’s profits come from overseas markets. Audiences in emerging economies of China, Russia and Brazil determine which films are global blockbusters, reports an article in the Economist. A falling dollar and increased construction of cinemas overseas contribute a growing global audience. Overall, action films starring foreign actors do better than comedies focused on...