21st century political economy: prospects & challenges

Introduction It is very difficult to make prognostications about the political economy during hard times amid a general climate of pessimism, but the same holds true when the economy is expanding and most people believe there is no end to the expansion. Public opinion surveys about economic conditions in the next decade and the possibility [...]

Globalization of collective unconsciousness and free will

Has globalization molded the ‘collective unconsciousness’ and subsumed individual free will (at least the illusion of it)? If so, is that a negative development because globalization is not rooted in predatory profit motive based on a hierarchical social model instead of humane-compassion-rooted conscience? If everything is for sale, why not thought and creativity, why not [...]

China’s Innovation Policies – The Real Danger for the U.S Economy???

U.S. experts and politicians are starting to hone into the ‘dangers’ of R&D and technology transfers to China, as the most serious long-term threat to the U.S. economy and national security. U.S. comparative advantage (innovation and new technologies) is being undermined by outsourcing of manufacturing to China, the relocation of R&D facilities to Chinese tech-parks, [...]

WATER PRIVATIZATION, GLOBALIZATION and POVERTY

Can you imagine a world where 1.5 million children become ill and die each year as a result of lacking drinking water and sanitation? Can you imagine a world where water and sanitation fall into private ownership, a world where water is no longer a basic human right, a world where water is available only [...]

US-Latin American relations & globalization

For the first time since taking office, President Obama will be visiting Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador for five days beginning 19 March 2011. Many hope for a new Good Neighbor Policy from this administration, a new beginning of greater cooperation and integration model of genuine partnership and not a client-patron dependency as has been [...]