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.

Open Letter to the French Minister of the Interior

Leading Martinican writers' letter to Nicolas Sarkozy is part of a growing chorus of criticism of France's failed policy of assimilation
Edouard Glissant
December 9, 2005

Hollywood’s New Axis of Evil

CEOs and financiers have become the new villain in Hollywood
Edward Jay Epstein
December 8, 2005

Ogre to Slay? Outsource it to Chinese

Virtual gold means real-life dollars
David Barboza
December 9, 2005

East-to-West Migration Remaking Europe

Latvian’s journey to Ireland for work reflects new dynamic of enlarged EU
Kevin Sullivan
November 29, 2005

America’s Future is Stuck Overseas

Foreign students may be the future of US technology; but can they get in the door?
Stuart Anderson
November 16, 2005