In The News

So Clinton Was Right About Beijing and Jello

Richard McGregor May 8, 2008
Spreading rumors about the dangers of outside forces is easy – and even intelligent and warm people fall prey by reading and joining online attacks. In the 1990s, former US President Bill Clinton compared attempts to control political talk on the internet to “nailing Jello to a wall.” Unfortunately, anyone who hopes to promote accurate discourse faces similar challenges as rumors associated with...

The Threat of Global Food Shortages – Part II

Mira Kamdar May 7, 2008
The temptation is great to find a quick fix for the shortages and high prices associated with the global food crisis. Indeed, radical changes are needed in how the world produces and distributes food, otherwise substantial numbers will go hungry later this century. That is the grim conclusion of an international report initiated by the World Bank and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization....

Global Consumer Gives Small Companies a Big Reach

Samuel Palmisano May 7, 2008
Rapid flows of information and trade require companies to respond quickly –and that has forced corporations of all sizes to create flexible, yet specialized versions for a range of markets around the globe, explains Samuel Palmisano, chairman and chief executive of IBM, in an opinion essay for the Financial Times. Because of technology, companies small in size are no longer limited to local...

Olympic Torch Protests Pose Dilemma for Host Nations

Barbara Demick May 5, 2008
In planning for an unprecedented 20-nation relay for the Olympic torch, China did not expect to create a flashpoint for protest against its violations of human rights and international law. Attempting to stem a public-relations disaster, China expects other governments to limit protests. Large demonstrations in Paris prompted a grassroots effort at boycotting a large French retailer and even...

The Cognitive Age

David Brooks May 5, 2008
Some politicians like to blame the current weak economy on globalization, outsourcing and free trade. Yet such blame relies on a limited definition of globalization and overlooks the contribution of technology, suggests David Brooks of the New York Times. In particular, Brooks rejects protectionism as any solution for economic woes. Technology has made it feasible for workers anywhere in the...

The Threat of Global Food Shortages – Part I

C. Peter Timmer May 5, 2008
Climate change, reduced availability of land for agriculture, growing populations in the poorest parts of the world, increased demand from a growing middle class in China and India, rising fuel costs and development of biofuels are among the reasons cited for food shortages and high prices. This two-part YaleGlobal series explores the phenomenon that has been anticipated by global experts in...

Debt Collection Done From India Appeals to US Agencies

Heather Timmons May 2, 2008
Making calls to remind borrowers about unpaid debts isn’t easy – and so it’s a natural job for outsourcing. With a sluggish US economy, there’s plenty of calls that need to be made, and debt collection represents growth for outsourcing firms, reports Heather Timmons for the New York Times. India has become a favorite source for debt-collection services because of low costs, automated systems and...