In The News

Global Elites Must Heed the Warning of Populist Rage

Martin Wolf July 21, 2016
Dissatisfaction runs high in many of the world’s most advanced economies – and many voters are turning to leaders who encourage nationalism, protectionism and other extreme policies, explains Martin Wolf in the Financial Times. He points to studies showing “Stagnant incomes bother people more than rising inequality.” Economic recessions, aging populations, rising inequality, immigration and...

Global Security and Democratic Governance Falter as Historic Rivalries Reemerge

Richard Weitz July 21, 2016
The world is shifting from a brief period of democratization and global economic integration since 1989 toward nationalism and mistrust. Security expert Richard Weitz suggests that evidence of this shift was apparent during the July summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the response to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and the international court’s rejection of China’s claims...

The Failure of Free Migration

Robert Skidelsky July 20, 2016
One immigrant’s brutal crime – using a truck to kill 84 people and injure hundreds during Bastille Day festivities in Nice, France – heightens mistrust for all immigrants and boosts support for a swift crackdown. “Throughout the Western world, a toxic mix of physical, economic, and cultural insecurity has been fueling anti-immigration sentiment and politics precisely at the moment when the...

Brexit Won’t Stop Globalization

Michael Schuman July 15, 2016
Fear and distrust over free trade, immigration and other facets of globalization spill from the world’s most advanced economies as the emerging economies pay no mind. “Isolationism is being heralded as independence,” writes Michael Schuman for Bloomberg. “While there are pockets of resistance, much of the world is still forging tighter links between countries, companies, and communities. Rather...

Brexit: Boon or Bane

Nayan Chanda July 11, 2016
The British decision to leave the European Union is expected to shrink global economic growth. “This means that the contributions made to the global economy by China, India and other developing economies would become more important than ever,” explains Nayan Chanda, YaleGlobal’s founding editor, in his column for Businessworld. Emerging economies confront enormous challenges, as suggested by the...

Want Better Cities?

Liz Stinson July 8, 2016
As the global population swelled, people have gravitated to cities. More than half the world’s population now lives in cities, compared to 3 percent in 1800, according to the United Nations. Researchers at Yale and University of Canterbury have plotted 6000 years of urbanization history in an online database with details on size of cities as well as how, when and where they emerged, reports Liz...

Sweating in the Park or in the Factory: Beyoncé’s New Sports Wear Company and Respect for Human Rights

Aleydis Nissen July 6, 2016
Critics are harsh on celebrities that launch clothing lines sourced from factories with sweatshop conditions and underpaid workers. Beyoncé launched a sports clothing brand in a joint venture with Topshop. Media reports soon followed with interviews of workers in Sri Lanka complaining about long hours and low pay. “Whether the accusations are true or untrue, it may be argued that a major...