In The News

Undue Fears of China Inc?

Paul Mooney September 29, 2005
Nearly two decades after fears of a Japanese industrial takeover reached fever pitch in the United States, expansionist moves by Chinese corporations have triggered alarms around the world. Last summer, when Chinese companies CNOOC and Haier attempted to buy Unocal and Maytag, respectively, American critics imagined the sinister hand of the Chinese state wrenching control of US assets and markets...

Africa's Time Has Come…

Larry Elliot September 28, 2005
This year's G-8 Summit saw unprecedented cooperation on development issues, but the progress made at Gleneagles was abruptly disrupted by the London bombings on July 7. After the attacks, Western leaders quickly lost interest in plans for debt relief and improved aid flows, turning their attention towards coping with terrorism and election campaigns. G-8 plans were submitted to a special...

The Great Thrift Shift

Zanny Minton Beddoes September 26, 2005
If the global economy is growing, why are interest rates so low? If the US deficit has been skyrocketing since 1999, why are Americans still able to borrow money with impunity? The answer to both questions, as put forth by American economist Ben Bernanke, may lie in a "global saving glut." On its face, The Economist acknowledges that the idea of such a glut appears absurd: For one...

Hail to the Chief

Hamish McDonald September 13, 2005
As Chinese President Hu Jintao prepares to visit New York for this week's UN summit, there appears to be anxiety in Washington over China's rapid rise. "Many US commentators are comparing China's rise to that of Japan early last century, the last time an Asian power seriously entered the big-power ranks," writes Hamish McDonald. With billions of dollars' worth of...

International Cooperation at a Crossroads

September 7, 2005
This month, world leaders will gather to review progress since the 2000 Millennium Declaration, a pledge to eliminate global poverty. Though much progress has been made, according to the United Nations 2005 Human Development Report, much work remains – particularly in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The report focuses on three "pillars of cooperation,"...

India's Mini-Multinationals Make Waves in Western Markets

Anand Giridharadas September 2, 2005
As India gains economic strength, its entrepreneurs are acquiring increasing numbers of overseas companies. In the first eight months this year, Indian companies paid US$1.7 billion for 62 foreign businesses, including a German metal forge, a South Korean truck maker, and a British tea company. The Indian as global owner marks a clear reversal for a country with vivid memories of its own...

Central Asia's Energy Game Intensifies

Stephen Blank September 2, 2005
With China and India fiercely competing for accessible energy resources, the energy game in Central Asia has gained intensity in recent months. China attracted international attention last month when China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), a state-owned oil company, acquired PetroKazhakhstan, one of Kazakhstan's major energy producers. Meanwhile, India is following closely behind,...