In The News

Intransigent Face of the Chinese Superpower

Victor Mallet January 25, 2008
There’s danger in “trying to be all things for all people,” as the old saying goes. In many ways, the world has multiple expectations for China, the world’s largest country: engine of economic growth or villain that snatches jobs away; peacemaker or potential aggressor; a developing country with high rates of poverty or traditional culture offering wisdom to the world. As the country’s reputation...

“Ancient” Forgeries Fool Art Markets

Matthias Schulz January 24, 2008
As the world accumulates more wealth, eager investors pay exorbitant fees for art. To help supply meet frenzied demand, art forgery is also on the rise. Even established collectors, including governments and museums, get fooled, reports Matthias Schulz for Spiegel Online. Globalization and advances in technology – with new chemicals; access to antiquated stone, paper or even tools; and elaborate...

Globalization and the Markets – Part II

Xu Sitao January 24, 2008
As anxiety spread about a possible recession hitting the US, stock-indexes went into sharp decline in Europe and Asia. Not surprisingly, worried investors scrutinize the Chinese stock market, as conventional wisdom suggests that China investments are the world’s next over-valued bubble. But analyst Steven Xu points out that the Chinese market could continue to grow, especially this year as China...

On the Cusp of Economic History

Katrin Bennhold January 23, 2008
Increasing inequality both among and within nations has contributed to a troubling global economic outlook. The days of easy globalization may be over, writes Katrin Bennhold for the International Herald Tribune, in reporting on concerns expressed at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “Signs of a protectionist backlash are multiplying as worries about climate change, the rise of state-run...

Careful What You Wish For

January 22, 2008
Many challenges await the next US president, and all demand immediate fixes, report a team of reporters for Newsweek. Candidates make promises about 12 million illegal immigrants, with 500,000 more entering every year; a strained health care system that is unaffordable for the millions of uninsured; an overextended military in Iraq and Afghanistan; record oil prices; a battered economy; global...

Globalization and the Markets – Part I

David Dapice January 22, 2008
Stock-market indexes have tumbled like dominos around the globe, exposing vulnerability of intricate economic connections. A crisis in one nation – and the panic – can quickly bounce from one country to the next. A major cause behind the stock-market plunges the world over are US financial instruments designed to spread and protect risk by including all manner of home mortgages, explains...

Virus On Jet Plane

Nayan Chanda January 22, 2008
The speed and frequency of today’s travel has placed individuals at risk to the spread of many infectious diseases. As Nayan Chanda points out, governments facing these challenges should be more vigilant than ever to avoid future epidemics. Full cooperation with the WHO must also be achieved. In an interconnected world, it is important everyone recognizes that our health and well-being is...