In The News

Pew Survey Finds America’s Global Stature Diminished

December 4, 2002
The globalization of media and the information technology revolution have made American actions visible to the entire world. In a wide-sweeping survey of 38,000 people in 44 countries – a feat accomplished in large part thanks to globalization – the Pew Foundation finds a gloomy image of the US overseas. From the state of American democracy to America's unilateralist stance in the...

Government Spends Rupiah 3.5 Billion to Revive Bali Tourism

December 3, 2002
In the aftermath of the Bali bombing incident, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism has set up a program to revitalize the nation’s ailing tourism. As part of the program, the Ministry has invested rupiah 3.5 billion on the production of video clips on Bali’s attractions. These clips are to be both locally and globally broadcasted during December. - YaleGlobal

Jacob Threatens Sony with Boycott Campaign

December 3, 2002
When a global firm makes decisions based on global needs, local interests can feel the pain. Thousands of Indonesians may lose their jobs if Japanese electronics giant Sony goes ahead with plans to close a factory in Indonesia. Indonesia's Manpower Minister, however, is threatening to organize a boycott of Sony products if the company can't offer "clear reasons" why it plans...

US Tariff Plan Raises Concern at WTO

Ravi Kanth December 3, 2002
The US proposal to phase out tariffs on industrial goods is meeting with opposition from some members of the World Trade Organization. Many agree with a South Asian trade envoy who criticized the plan’s 'glaring absence of special flexibilities for developing countries with different levels of economic development'. Developing countries worry that revenue flow to their governments will...

India Opposes Zero Tariff Plan Proposed by US

December 3, 2002
The World Trade Organization is considering a US proposal to eliminate non-agricultural tariffs. India and many of its neighbors have heavy criticism for the plan, which they say will decrease governmental revenues and adversely impact developing economies. – YaleGlobal

Hollywood in the Era of Globalization

Allen J. Scott November 29, 2002
Hollywood films represent more than half, and sometimes more than two-thirds of total box-office receipts in major markets. Films that succeed in the US market also tend to succeed in foreign markets. This suggests that a convergence of popular taste may be coming about, though in many countries this phenomenon also occurs against a backdrop of cultural contestation. Hollywood has been a success...

Postcards from Planet Google

Jennifer S. Lee November 28, 2002
With 150 million queries a day coming to its search engine site from more than 100 countries and in 86 languages Google is the ultimate proof that global village has arrived. As the New York Times story notes "Despite its geographic and ethnic diversity, the world is spending much of its time thinking about the same things. Country to country, region to region, day to day and even minute to...