Globalization wields powerful influence over societies and cultures. Business travelers and tourists both observe and distribute new ideas. New ideas, interactions, foods and products are tried, then embraced or discarded. With the internet or satellite television, films, publications, photographs, news reports and cartoons can travel instantly, entertaining or angering audiences around the globe. With social media like Facebook or Twitter, individuals offer news and own instant pronouncements on trends. Whether slowly through immigration or immediately online, these connections bring about some convergence of norms on fashion to human rights while also provoking challenges from traditionalists. A global society has emerged, and it’s tightly linked.

China’s Lust for Business Learning

Amidst rising interest in MBA programs, China’s business schools look west for help
Della Bradshaw
August 1, 2005

The Wild Web of China: Sex and Drugs, Not Reform

China’s internet censorship has a flip side
David Barboza
March 8, 2006

France Debates Downloads, With Teenager as Top Expert

The internet generation speaks in France, and politicians listen
Thomas Crampton
May 17, 2006

The Perils of Soft Power

World citizens may don US clothes or watch US movies, but still resist US influence
Josef Joffe
May 16, 2006

Extremism Isn’t Islamic Law

Extremists co-opt Islamic law for political and selfish purposes
Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid
May 26, 2006