In The News

World Banker and His Cash Return Home

Jason DeParle March 24, 2008
Remittances, once treated as an insignificant rounding error, eclipse the world’s combined foreign aid by threefold. A migration scholar with the World Bank, Dilip Ratha, calculated the magnitude of remittances and brought them to the world’s attention. Critics suggest that “behind every remittance is a separated family” and argue that remittances contribute to consumption rather than development...

The Global Rose as Social Tool

Roger Cohen March 18, 2008
Roses are also a modern-day global product, grown over thousands of acres in developing nations like Kenya before shipment to supermarkets in Great Britain. The British pay about $10 for a small bouquet while the Kenyans earn about $70 per month. “Look at the global economy one way and Buyaki earns the equivalent of seven bunches of roses for a month's labor,” explains Roger Cohen for the...

Dutch Incident Underscores Holes in EU Organics Legislation

Nils Klawitter March 17, 2008
Growing organic food is a booming industry in wealthy nations that care about every aspect of health. Pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals have been linked to health problems, but also give produce a more aesthetic appearance and longer shelf life. So some companies find it easy to slap an organic label on any produce – grown with pesticide or not. Growing organic crops requires tolerance...

Are the Grandkids Worth the Money?

Eduardo Porter March 14, 2008
Any society can be judged by how much it cares for future generations - by preserving a record of history and also conserving resources and the environment. Some public spending reflects regard for future generations, and writing for the New York Times, Eduardo Porto poses the question: How much should the world sacrifice today to abate future costs of climate change? Much of modern society...

Weak Dollar Feels New Stress

Joanna Slater March 12, 2008
Most countries around the world are fighting a trend of global inflation by tightening their currencies, allowing the values to rise. That places pressure on a declining US dollar, writes Joanna Slater for the Wall Street Journal. A declining dollar contributes to rising prices for raw materials like oil, which in turn contributes to inflation. “The inflation dilemma is at its most stark in...

Snowplows for Guinea

Bartholomäus Grill March 10, 2008
One philosopher observes that a “taking” form of colonialism has transformed into a “giving” one. Donating funds to impoverished nations should not contribute to poverty, but that’s what has happened throughout Africa. Wealthy donors support projects that either cost additional funds or fail. “But the worst consequence of this aid is that it paralyzes self-initiative and encourages a true...

India’s Forgotten Farmers

Tarun Khanna March 7, 2008
Can India’s burgeoning economy lead to prosperity for all of its citizens, urban and rural alike? Thus far, India’s economic growth has been concentrated almost exclusively in urban centers, while rural areas remain largely mired in appalling poverty. Since 70 percent of India’s population lives in rural communities, the vast majority of Indians find themselves cut off from their nation’s...