In The News

Time to Prick the Dollar Balloon, Gently

David Dapice October 27, 2004
As the already sizeable US account deficit increases at an astonishing rate, experts continue to debate its consequences. Offering a counterpoint to a previous YaleGlobal article by Hilton Root, economist David Dapice argues that the escalating US debt is not, in fact, innocuous. Asian central banks support over half of the US debt. However, if current trends persist, US needs will be...

For Its Own Reasons, Singapore Is Getting Rather Gay-Friendly

Gordon Fairclough October 26, 2004
Singapore today remains a conservative culture where the government retains the right to censorship, but a combination of international media and economic factors have led to a wider acceptance of homosexuality. While open organization and public demonstration may still be off limits for gay activists, the internet and other international news sources have allowed for an influx of gay awareness,...

Hooters Comes to China

Hamish McDonald October 23, 2004
China already has 580 McDonald's and over 1,000 Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets, not to mention the ubiquitous Coca Cola signs. But tomorrow, the country will reach a milestone in its growing embrace of all things American with the opening of China's first Hooters restaurant in Shanghai. Most of the aspirng Hooters employees are students wanting to practice English with expatriate...

Globalization: Custom-Made in China

Fan Gang October 15, 2004
The rapid pace of China’s economic growth has been remarkable, but the country’s success did not magically result from opening to the world, writes economist Fan Gang. China’s experience shows that countries must plot their own individualized paths towards market liberalization. Early in its development, China protected its infant industries from the rigors of global competition – thus allowing...

France Looks to Strengthen Economic Ties with China

Frank Ching October 13, 2004
China continues to flex its economic muscles, reaping the benefits of international and intra-EU competition for influence. French President Jacques Chirac's recent official visit to China resulted in US$4 billion worth of industrial orders, as well as hints of further political cooperation in the future. Economic and political relationships between France and China are particularly...

"Copywood" No Longer

Christina Klein October 11, 2004
Shaking Hollywood's previous stranglehold, the South Korean film industry has evolved to become one of the world's most successful examples of domestic cinema. Media scholar Christina Klein charts the rise of Korean film as a unique response to specific political, economic, and social circumstances. Boasting qualities that are at once evocative of Western styles and yet unique to...

Buy Now, Profit Later

Elise Kissling October 8, 2004
Over the past eight years, German companies have invested more than US$9 billion in China, the world's largest recipient of foreign direct investment. Unfortunately, only six of the 23 German companies that responded to a Deutsche Bank survey claimed to be earning money in China. Last year, for instance, Volkswagen manufactured more cars in China than in Germany, but failed to turn a profit...