Category: Globalization

The (Mostly) Improving State of the World

Jan 16, 2014

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by

mwkruse

in Demography, Economic Development, Economics, Environment, Globalization, Health and Medicine, Human Progress, Poverty, Religion, Science, Sociology, Technology (Biotech & Health), Technology (Digital, Telecom, & Internet), Technology (Energy), Technology (Food & Water), Technology (Manufacturing & Construction)), Technology (Transportation & Distribution), Trends: Economic, Trends: Social, Weatlh and Income Distribution

Washington Post: 40 charts that explain the world Our friend and colleague Max Fisher over at Worldviews has posted another 40 maps that explain the world, building on his original classic of the genre. But this is Wonkblog. We're about charts. And one of the great things about charts is that they show not just…
Social Science and Culture Links

Dec 17, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in China, Christian Life, Globalization, India, Links – Social Science and Culture, Public Policy, Sociology, Trends: Economic, Trends: Social, Vocation

1. Business Insider: Meaningful Work — Not Money — Makes People Happy … Decades of research have boiled human happiness down to just three factors: genes, events, and values. About half of how happy you feel is hardwired into your genetic make up, according to the article. Meanwhile, one-off events like getting married or landing…
All the Countries That Contribute to a Single Jar of Nutella

Dec 11, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Capitalism and Markets, Economics, Globalization, Technology (Manufacturing & Construction))

Atlantic: All the Countries That Contribute to a Single Jar of Nutella A great map that gives insight into how the global market works. As I read this, the stories of "I, Pencil" and "I, Smartphone," which I've previously blogged about here, illustrate the amazing complexity of market economies and how things are coordinated.
Planet Money Makes A T-Shirt: The world behind a simple shirt, in five chapters

Dec 4, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Capitalism and Markets, Economics, Globalization, Technology (Manufacturing & Construction))

NPR has a wonderful set of five short videos (most about 1.5 minutes) that follow the creation of a t-shirt from the cotton field to the store. It is a well-done and thoughtful presentation about the wonder and challenges of living in a global economy. Be sure to check it out at Planet Money Makes…
The Dutch Rethink the Welfare State

Nov 4, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Economics, Europe, Globalization, Politics, Public Policy

New Geography: The Dutch Rethink the Welfare State When the Netherlands’ newly coronated king made his first annual appearance before parliament, he turned some heads when he addressed the deficiencies of the Dutch welfare state. “Due to social developments such as globalisation and an ageing population, our labour market and public services are no longer…
One Person’s Exploitation is Another Person’s Blessing

Oct 18, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Business, Capitalism and Markets, Economic Development, Globalization, Poverty, Public Policy

Writing in his recent post The Alleged "Perils" of "Premature De-Industrialisation." Economist Gavin Kennedy writes: "… I also recall more recently of a Vietnamese woman on being questioned by a Western journalist about her 14-hour working day that she worked six days a week in a new computer-board manufacturing plant near her home village. The…
Economics Links

Sep 29, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Business, Economic News, Economics, Globalization, International Affairs, Links – Economics, Public Policy, Trends: Economic

1. Here's The Chart That Destroys What Republicans Are Saying About The Deficit 2. The 10 Most Popular Charts On The World's Most Amazing Economics Website Here is one example: Nominal GDP (3.1% growth year over year in Q2): 3. Global trade volume and world industrial production both reached new record highs in July 4.…
Economics Links

Sep 24, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Capitalism and Markets, Economics, Globalization, Great Divergence, Human Progress, International Affairs, Links – Economics, South America, Trends: Economic, Trends: Social, Wealth and Income, Weatlh and Income Distribution

1. Did living standards improve during the Industrial Revolution? … So, while the Industrial Revolution ultimately led to big increases in wealth, progress was unsteady. For much of the period, the average person was not reaping the benefits of economic change. So much for wages. Other measures of standard of living should be considered. ……
How iPhone Is Made: A Surprising Report on How Much of Apple’s Top Product is US-manufactured

Sep 12, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Capitalism and Markets, China, Globalization, International Affairs, Technology (Digital, Telecom, & Internet)

Finances Online: How iPhone Is Made: A Surprising Report on How Much of Apple’s Top Product is US-manufactured … In this infographic we trace the iPhone supply and manufacturing chain. We’re providing snippets of information on both of the existing flagship model plus early breaking rumors for the next-gen iPhones. Did you know, for example, that…
Technology, Globalization, and Inequality.

Aug 16, 2013

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by

mwkruse

in Globalization, Technology, Trends: Economic, Wealth and Income, Weatlh and Income Distribution

These articles caught my eye this week. First, in the Atlantic: Bash Brothers: How Globalization and Technology Teamed Up to Crush Middle-Class Workers Globalizationandtechnology is often referred to like a monolithic thing. A new study shows they're very separate. Globalization increases joblessness. Computers increase inequality. The article is reporting on a recent economic study: Untangling…