In The News

Clinton and Obama Emphasize Economic Themes

John M. Broder February 18, 2008
Candidates for US president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are neck in neck, battling to win the Democratic nomination. To attract votes, both have adopted a populist stance and make plenty of economic promises to workers. Many border on assistance, including programs to help homeowners facing foreclosure or workers pay for health care. Growing income disparity tempts voters and candidates to...

Bush in Africa: A Continent Adrift

Donald Steinberg February 18, 2008
President Bush’s long-awaited trip to Africa has come at a time when the continent is in turmoil. This is, however, the consequences of internal division that afflicts Africa and the divisive approach taken by foreign powers. Africans watched as their own leaders and the international community designated various players as friends or foe – in terms of natural resources, Cold War allies, those...

Long, Cruel Road to the Slaughterhouse

Emily Dugan February 14, 2008
Ten major animal charities investigated the global trade in livestock, documenting the cruelties that live animals endure on journeys that last thousands of miles, from countries like Australia and Brazil to Europe and the Middle East. “Thousands of animals die en route from disease, heat exhaustion, hunger and stress,” reports Emily Dugan for the Independent. Low transportation costs encourage...

Europe’s Philosophy of Failure

Stefan Theil February 14, 2008
Two of the world’s most advanced industrial democracies use textbooks with biased and distorted lessons against capitalism, suggests an analysis by Newsweek economics editor Stefan Theil. Even as France and Germany’s political leaders attempt to open their countries’ economies to the free market and give citizens incentives to create new jobs instead of relying on the government, the schools...

Developing Countries Worse Off Than Once Thought – Part II

Devesh Kapur February 13, 2008
High growth rates in an emerging economy can mask persistent and devastating poverty. A major goal for global institutions like the World Bank is reducing poverty by extending technological and financial assistance to developing nations. But targeted programs that flounder due to corruption or lack of local support, as well as those that cannot be replicated to serve a broader population, are not...

Happy Families

February 13, 2008
Bolsa Família, or the Family Fund, pays a benefit to mothers with low earnings, provided they send their children to school, show up for vaccinations and meet some other conditions. The program began in Mexico and quickly spread as far as Brazil, Eastern Europe and New York City as a way to allow children escape poverty. The program boosts the economy, with education building a skilled work force...

Why Bill Gates Hates My Book

William R. Easterly February 12, 2008
The economic system of capitalism certainly creates pools of wealth, and economists, corporate leaders and others debate how to distribute such pools to aid the world’s poor. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft who has since moved into philanthropy that funds basic education and health services in developing nations, argues for “creative capitalism,” by raising recognition of corporate...