What’s New January 2001

This page lists recent changes made to this site. The "Find Out More" links will take you to the changes. If this jumps to the middle of a page, you can easily scroll up to understand the context of the new information a bit further.

Date of Update

Description


January 14, 2001


  1. What is the effect on governments and political parties by the current form of globalization? Given that many criticisms of the current form of globalization revolve around the fact that it is overly corporate-led, any political party that comes into power in a country faces similar pressures from the large multinational companies that have substantial impacts and influence on economies due to their size. If policies such as environmental or safety regulations are proposed that prove costly to such companies, or simply affect their bottom line, the threat by them to close factories and set up elsewhere where is too much to ignore. Often then, many parties seen to converge to similar policies which are not always in the interest of their voters and people of that country. This affects wealthy and poorer countries. Structural adjustment and other policies open up countries in such a way that it is possible for the multinational companies to threaten to pull out so easily. Find Out More »
    - Related Section(s): Free Trade and Globalization / Structural Adjustment Policies


  2. The effects of depleted uranium weapons on NATO soldiers has caused an uproar in many European countries, but hardly a murmur in the United States. Many NATO/European countries, such as Italy, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France etc, have been very concerned about deaths of some soldiers from what may be related to the use of depleted uranium based weapons in the Balkans. The defence departments of UK and the United States deny any negative effects from such weapons. The mainstream media of these European countries, including the UK have had more than daily coverage of the issues, while there is comparatively little, or no coverage in the US. Find Out More »
    - Related Section(s): Kosovo


  3. The U.S. plans for a national missile defense system falls under much criticism. On many counts, such as technical feasibility, the likeliness of such threats as to warrant a missile defense system, the enormous costs, the impact this would have on other countries who see this as a means to abrogate international treaties on anti-ballistic missiles and fears of an arms race, all go against this. As is a common question now, is Star Wars a New Hope or a Phantom Menace? Various updates and links have been added for more information to this section. Find Out More »
    - Related Section(s): Arms Control / Arms Trade / Geopolitics



January 1, 2001


  1. Happy New Year! And what a year. From failed global climate talks, continuing conflicts, growing economic turmoil to the continuing disparities between rich and poor. This web site has also seen an interesting year, lately averaging daily from 1700 to 2000 visitors, making about 10,000 hits per day (during non-holiday periods!). The last eleven months saw 2.2 million hits, from 350,000 visitors. Six months ago the web site was getting about 1000 users per day, so this recent growth has been great. Thanks for your continued support and please continue to tell your friends about the global issues web site. To email a friend or colleague about this site, you can also use this link.


  2. The U.S. finally signs to the International Criminal Court. The ICC would be an international body that can prosecute serious crimes against humanity. Having been vocally hostile towards the establishment of a court and fearing that U.S. troops and personnel could be tried by an international body, they finally signed on the last day of 2000 -- also the deadline to sign -- so that they can ensure that they have the ability to participate in future talks about the court. 60 ratifications are needed for the court to go in effect. To date, there have been 27 ratifications and 136 nations have signed. While a major milestone has been reached, there is still much work to do to see this court established. Find Out More »
    - Related Section(s): Geopolitics / Human Rights


  3. How land is used for agriculture can also have an adverse impact on biodiversity. Industrial agriculture makes use of monocultures, the loss of biodiversity and its benefits, means additional land and resource usage to make up for it. Find Out More »
    - Related Section(s): Biodiversity / Genetically Engineered Food