Labor, Trade, & Finance Archives - Page 81 of 235

China’s Missing Middle Class

by Nan Chen | May 24, 2012

Two parallel narratives surround globalization and the trade imbalance between China and the United States. One side moans that competition with China has squeezed traditional U.S. manufacturing jobs and caused the middle class to disappear. The other side declares that a new Chinese middle class is riding the wave of China’s inexorable economic boom. A particularly hyperbolic headline in Forbes, for example, proclaimed the rise of China’s middle class to be “The Biggest Story of Our Time.”

India’s Need for Iran’s Oil a Sticking Point for U.S. and Its Sanctions Regime

by Mary Carras | May 22, 2012

The third U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue next month will deal with contentious issues such as protectionism and sanctions.

Free Trade Agreement Ignores Colombian History of Violence Against Trade Unions

by Melissa Moskowitz | May 22, 2012

Anti-union crimes are widespread and remain a tremendous concern for people who object to the U.S.-Colombia FTA.

Stateless and Fancy-Free

by Russ Wellen | May 11, 2012

Conservatives and Tea Partiers don’t understand that the rich — including U.S. corporations — don’t see themselves as Americans.

Labor Trafficking: Modern-day Slave Trade

by Walden Bello | May 11, 2012

The freer flow of commodities and capital has been one of the features of the contemporary process of globalization. Unlike in the earlier phase of globalization in the 19^th century, however, the freer flow of commodities and capital has not been accompanied by a freer movement of labor globally. The dynamic centers of the global economy, after all, have imposed ever tighter restrictions on migration from the poorer countries.Yet the demand for cheap labor in the richer parts of the world continues to grow, even as more and more people in developing countries seek to escape conditions of economic stagnation and poverty that are often the result of the same dynamics of a system of global capitalism that have created prosperity in the developed world.

Waiting for Copernicus

by John Feffer | May 8, 2012

It’s happening in Buenos Aires. It’s happening in Paris and in Athens. It’s even happening at the World Bank headquarters.The global economy is finally shifting away from the model that prevailed for the last three decades. Europeans are rejecting austerity. Latin Americans are nationalizing enterprises. The next head of the World Bank has actually done effective development work.

Maybe that long-heralded “end of the Washington consensus” is finally upon us.

Annotate This: EU Response to Argentina’s Nationalization

by Melissa Moskowitz | May 7, 2012

Despite being immensely popular among the people of Argentina, the Argentinean government’s decision to nationalize the YPF oil company has continued to come under attack by those who obstinately promote extractive capitalism. The measure would nationalize YPF and restore 51 percent of the company’s ownership to Argentina. It would thus end sister company Repsol’s 57.4 percent majority stake in the company.

The End of Austerity in Europe?

by Jeanne Kay | May 4, 2012

A few months ago, when Occupy movements bloomed across Europe, the absence of any similar uprising in France appeared to be an anomaly in a country infamous for its people’s propensity to take the streets. One explanation was that the presidential election was just around the corner, and that after 10 years out of government, the Left was capable of channeling the French people’s indignation into electoral gains.

Latin America Delivers a Good, Swift Kick to the U.S.

by Conn Hallinan | May 1, 2012

Latin American growth has resulted from its rejection the economic model pushed by Washington and the European Union: free trade, financial deregulation, and austerity.

True Lies About Apple and Foxconn

by Hannah Gurman | Apr 27, 2012

Apple, the most profitable company in existence and one of the most popular brands ever created, has gotten used to being the glowing center of attention. The release of the next iPhone or the new iPad invariably stirs an orgy of conspicuous consumption. Recently, however, a series of exposés have shifted some attention to the darker side of Apple, shining a light on the working conditions at the Foxconn factories in China where its products are made.