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.

Bavaria Hopping Mad Over World Cup Ban

FIFA keeps German beer out of stadiums
Elizabeth Goetze
April 30, 2004

Japan's Mating Culture Extends Baby Drought

Low birthrates may be a symptom of cultures in transition
David Turner
December 9, 2003

SKBRI Not Required by Chinese: Megawati

Chinese-Indonesians complain of discrimination
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
April 15, 2004

Native Son: Samuel Huntington Defends the Homeland

American academic's new book lapses into nativist sentiment
Alan Wolfe
April 21, 2004

The Trouble with Civilian Casualty Stories

Poor media access, not irresponsible journalism, is behind varying reports of civilian deaths in Fallujah
Jefferson Morley
April 15, 2004