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.

Request Stokes Debate Over Yale Student With a Taliban Past

Opinions clash about whether ostracizing or educating student could best combat terrorism
Alan Finder
May 8, 2006

Prejudice Forms a New Line Between East and West

Depending on politics, EU members divide sharply over gay rights
Nicholas Watt
May 9, 2006

Moment of Truth

Without fair enforcement and acknowledgment of worker contributions, US immigration policy will fail
Robert Scheer
May 1, 2006

American Indie Filmmakers: Thinking Globally and Acting Globally, Too

Young directors take risks, refusing to be constrained by national boundaries or themes
Dennis Lim
May 1, 2006

The Global News War

Transnational news networks challenge US domination of the airwaves
Marcel Rosenbach
May 5, 2006