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 Olympic Run – Part II

With the Games over, the Communist Party loses a convenient excuse for every hardship
Pallavi Aiyar
August 29, 2008

China’s Olympic Run – Part I

The Beijing games merged calls for citizen sacrifice and global harmony
Mary Kay Magistad
August 27, 2008

The Global Abortion Bind

A woman’s right to choose gives way to sex-selection abortions and dangerous gender imbalances
Joseph Chamie
May 29, 2008

China Ascendant – Part III

Success invites scrutiny and warrants wisdom and benevolence
Wenran Jiang
April 30, 2008

MTV Goes to Asia

Entertainment giant woos and wows audiences with combination of foreign and local talent
Kenny Santana
August 12, 2003

Taiwan’s Success Could Show the Way for Tibet

Economic ties and regional democracy could ease Taiwan and Tibet as touchy issues for China
Humphrey Hawksley
March 31, 2008