The University of Maryland runs an interesting International Policy program which conducts opinion polls around the world and posts them on their web site, WorldPublicOpinion.org. Most of the polls relate to politics/government policies and social issues like abortion and divorce but a recent poll looked at how folks in some of the largest Muslim countries view globalization and international trade. The results of the poll: people in Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Indonesia, the Palestinian Territories, plus the Muslim population of Nigeria in general are very favorable towards globalization and international trade, with 63% saying that globalization is good for their own country. This may come as a surprise to some who think of Muslim countries... [Read more]

On the topic of foreign direct investment: “The Russians are the best chess players in the world; they think long-term and strategically. They invest in partners who can help them develop their industries at home. Americans look for a quick return. The Chinese hide their imperial thinking behind a mask of confucian peacemaking.” - Joachim Schroeder-Hohenwarth, Vontobel [Read more]

It started in Cuba as a way to reduce the number of black-outs in that country, then the idea was picked up by Venezuela. But you know a green idea is coming in vogue when discussions start in California and Australia. Now almost everyone wants to ban the old incandescent light bulb to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. The European Union is gearing up to start the ban in 2009. If it goes through, the ban in Europe will be the first in the world. (The US is tentatively signed up for a ban starting 2014.) My green side thinks the ban is a wonderful idea. Compact florescent bulbs are great – they use a fraction of the energy and last forever – and there are a lot of people out there who still don’t use them. The combined benefits... [Read more]

The so-called “BRIC” economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are growing so fast, that they are expected to catch up with and pass the current largest economies of the world. The big question is, “how long will it take?” to raise the per capita GNP up to the levels of the US and Europe. 10, 20, 30 years? China has already “left us behind in the dust” when it comes to the emission of carbon-dioxide. According to USA Today, China is now responsible for 24% of the worldwide CO2 emissions, easily passing the US which is ranked at “only” 21%. The polluters list: China: 24% USA: 21% Europe (EU-15): 12% India: 8% Russia: 6% Of course, China also has about four times as many citizens as the US, so... [Read more]

Thomas L. Friedman wrote a great book on globalization called “The World is Flat”. (See Wiki for more Info.) Every now and then, Friedman writes articles about topics relating to globalization and every now and then I get to read them in the International Herald Tribune. Recently. Friedman wrote an article about a trip to Greenland and Denmark were he came in contact with energy-saving devices rarely seen in the US. The article describes a number of “common sense” technologies which are in wide use outside of the US: motion-detecting light switches in hallways and stairwells, two-button toilets (chose your flush volume) and of course, biking. Denmark is a great example of a country that actually is benefitting from the... [Read more]