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Date of Update
Description
August 21, 2000
In an increasingly globalized world, dependencies upon each other are increasing. Economic decisions and policies by wealthy nations can affect many others positively and negatively. Poverty around the world then can be based on such common causes and decisions made far away. This is not new though, as throughout history, the wealthy have often been able to drive the directions of economic development for all. Most wars throughout history have also had trade and resources at their core. Those who lose out end up in poverty and dependency. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Causes of Poverty / Trade Related Issues / Human Rights
The medical industry often puts profits before priorities. A lot of cures that are prioritized are based on those which will give the best return on investment. Hence there is more emphasis on drugs for the already wealthy, while millions of poor are unable to get access to drugs for easily curable diseases. To compound the problem further, the greater the need, the greater the overcharge of the cure. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Corporations / Trade Related Issues / Human Rights
How has the mainstream media portrayed protestors and other movements that criticize the current, corporate-led form of globalization? Not very well. Given that violence and sensationalism sell, and that media corporations benefit from the current form of free trade and globalization, it is easy to see how the media can distorted the the perspectives of protestors against the current forms of globalization. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Free Trade and Globalization / Trade Related Issues / Mainstream Media
US election campaigns are underway. Major party conventions have been accompanied by police brutality. And a silent media. The outcome of the US election is a global issue due to the effects and influence the US have around the world. However, the human rights situation in the US and the support for human rights violators around the world is almost the opposite to the rhetoric from the presidential candidates from the two major parties. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Human Rights / Geopolitics
August 14, 2000
The Internet and digital revolution around the world offers many promises for people around the world. However, there is an increasing disparity between those who are able to access this information technology versus those who cannot. And hence there is a growing gap between those who benefit and those who do not. There is enormous potential to help aid in sustainable development and poverty reduction through the use of new technologies, such as the Internet. However, a number of issues still need to be overcome that are largely political. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Causes of Poverty / Trade Related Issues / Human Rights
10 years have passed since Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War. However, Iraq is still bombed frequently by the US and UK, who refuse to lift sanctions. The mainstream media has been rather silent on the detailed issues, that would put the US and UK in less than favorable light, to say the least. The economy has been destroyed and millions of people now live in poverty. It is estimated that over a million people have died due to sanctions alone and half of them have been children under the age of 5 -- to which Madeline Albright, in an interview, believes the price has been worth it. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Geopolitics / Human Rights
Neoliberalism and free trade are the engines of the current form of globalization. The World Bank and others have reported that growth is good for the poor, which is most likely correct. But, are World Bank/IMF/Washington Consensus economic policies really promoting growth? There have been a number of criticisms at the rhetoric of Free Trade versus the reality of its implementation. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Free Trade / Causes of Poverty / Trade Related Issues / Geopolitics / Human Rights
A link to an additional media resource has been added. This one is to the web site of the award-winning Australian journalist, John Pilger. At this site you can find video clips and articles concerning many issues including the plight of Iraq, Vietnam, East Timor, Burma and the Aborigines in his native Australia. It also includes concerns and criticisms about the global media. A must check-out site! Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Mainstream Media
August 7, 2000
What are the effects around the world of the large militaries of the industrialized countries? There has been much talk and rhetoric about the military during the Republican Convention, in the United States. But how much military spending is really for defense and how much is it to further acquitision of wealth and resources? The expanding globalization we see today is accompanied by a strong military, so that the national interests of the industrialized countries are preserved. Free Trade then, may be free for some, but not necessarily for all. Most wars throughout history have had trade and resources at their core. There are a number of sections on this web site that look into these various aspects of military activities:
A newly discovered sulphur-based gas is thought to be the most potent greenhouse gas measured to date. It is called trifluoromethyl sulphur pentafluoride (SF5CF3). Most scientists agree that there is human-induced climate change occuring. Industrial emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide have long known to be harmful. However, there has been incredible resistance from big businesses who fear a reduction in profits in certain pollution controls are put in place. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Environmental Issues
The UN abandon its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, before it even gets off the ground. Politics on all sides are affecting the ability for the UN to exercise its mission in the DRC. The DRC has seen over seven countries involved in the conflict there. There are numerous interests at stake, including the vast mineral and diamond resources. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Conflicts in Africa
A new trade war over the labeling of genetically engineered food looms. The US is considering a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization regarding the decision by the European Union to label food containing genetically engineered ingredients. Public reaction around the world, Europe especially, has been very vocal about the concerns of rapidly pushing genetically engineered food for consumers without allowing informed choices to be made about what is contained in the ingredients. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Genetically Engineered Food / Free Trade
The effects of biodiversity loss can be enormous. The impacts can impede economic development and even the security of a region. Because we depend on biodiversity for all aspects of our lives, wasteful and non-sustainable use of finite resources can lead to expensive consequences. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Environmental Issues
A new wave of genetically engineered foods are coming under criticism. Dubbed as functional foods, these are meant to enhance nutrition. An example of this is rice that is genetically engineered to contain vitamin A to aid in such deficiencies and increased nutrition in Asia, where rice is a staple food. However, critics in Asia and elsewhere point out that the root cause of malnutrition is not understood by proponents of this golden rice, as it is called. In fact, the roots of malnutrition lie at the causes of poverty and hence those who are poor and unable to afford the abundant food production are not going to necessarily benefit from such rice. But the western corporations do stand to benefit from the huge Asian market, instead! As the biotech industry in the west face negative publicity in the way they have introduced genetically engineered food, they have started different types of marketing strategies. Functional foods is one of them. Media bias is another. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Genetically Engineered Food / Free Trade
Unsustainable consumption has a larger impact on the environment, society and resources than increasing populations. While over-population can also have negative effects on the environment, much of todays production and consumption processes are unsustainable and causes more problems than increasing populations, alone. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Human Population / Trade Related Issues
The problems of the mainstream media in the USA are slowly being more and more realised within the US as well as having been long known outside. Given the influence that the US has around the world, the lack of international news by the mainstream media, and the lack of unbiased reporting and debates on the US foreign policy can lead to unaccountability of US foreign policy decisions made by the politicians and other power holders. The self-censorship of the mainstream due to the corporate ownership also means that meaningful news coverage is declining and heavily leaning towards business interests. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Mainstream Media / Trade Related Issues / Geopolitics / Human Rights
Global Issues