The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), sent a powerful signal to multinational corporations MNCs) doing business in Ireland and other low-tax EU jurisdictions by rendering a massive tax judgement against Apple, Inc. The...

It is one of the most interesting organizations you have never heard of, and their meetings can occasionally get rowdy. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is one of those organizations that is meant to solve one of the key problems...

Few issues demonstrate the widespread activism of non-governmental groups in shaping global norms more effectively than climate change. NGO’s have played a powerful role in shaping the public debate both over the potential impact of climate changed...

One of the most complicated aspects of globalization is just how to treat the incomes of multinational firms that operate in many different countries around the world. Multinational Corporations (MNC’s) operate global supply chains and manage global...

International political policies very often change lives for those who are least connected to the actual creation and negotiation of the agreements. In 2001, the European Union concluded an agreement that has had a dramatic and negative impact on the...

Last week, the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits members demonstrated an understanding of how their actions (investing) have an impact on others in our global village. The​ US United Methodist Church has followed a decision by the...

As thousands of workers marched in Dhaka, Bangladesh, demanding safe working conditions my students discussed the tragedy in a university classroom. What should or could be done about worker rights for the people who make the clothes a lot of my students...

Multinational corporations are closely watching global policymakers this week, as the European Union and United States governments debate what actions to take against the Russian aggression in the Ukraine. Multinational corporations (MNCs) are nongovernmental...

Do the people need to understand the raw political power of MNCs, IGOs, NGOs, and governments? Do we need to pay attention to the payments an oil company is making to the government in a poor state? Does it matter in ExxonMobil does not disclose how...

Our global village fisheries provide food for millions of people. Our oceans and inland waterways supply us with a vital source of high-quality protein and support the livelihoods of many people. But this vital source of food is rapidly declining...

According t o The Guardian , governments around our global village handed out $2bn a year in subsidies to the five biggest US oil firms between 2001 and 2011 ( click here for more ). We gave our tax dollars to MNCs that raked in profits of $1tn over...

From our social interactions to transportation to education to international relations the Internet is changing everything. Yep, there is an app for that too. The power of the Internet is reshaping communications in not only the West but also in states...

Today, states are challenged from above by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and from below by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that seek to influence the outcomes of global problems and concerns. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable...

The 160 million citizens of the impoverished South Asian state of Bangladesh are facing the worst period of political and economic tensions in years. Five people were killed in clashes between police and protesters during recent labor strikes and tensions...

Over the weekend, President Obama kicked off the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers and Economic Leaders' Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. Regional trade regimes, like APEC, are seen as a way to promote economic growth. Examples...

Currently, 2.1 million people work in Wal-Mart big-box stores around the world. This month, the Indian government said "no" to opening up its retail market to Wal-Mart and other foreign big-box stores. Wal-Mart's expansion was met with...

Globalization has created both opportunity and serious challenges for our global village. The opportunities are many - for example MNCs now offer jobs in places where poverty is a way of life - but so are the challenges. We are facing governance challenges...

The Chinese district of Macau is the only district in China in which gambling is legal. Macau's economy expanded 14 percent last year and shows no signs of slowing down ( click here for more ). The Macau district is known for gaming, money laundering...

Africa. The word draws to mind AIDS , suffering, poverty , war , rape , corruption , great poverty, and homeless refugees . Is Africa the Dark Continent? Geographer George Kimble wrote, "The darkest thing about Africa has always been our...

More than 3,000 workers in the Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh toiled making clothes for American, Canadian, and European consumers for less than $3 dollars a day. Labor activists say that the workers produced clothing for JC Penney; Cato...

Americans are generous people. When a disaster occurs Americans will send money and help - to places like Haiti, Japan, Somalia - all over the globe. However, when asked about foreign aid - allocating tax dollars to help developing nations - many American's...

The US military has agreed to buy Britain’s entire fleet of Harrier jump jets after they were controversially scrapped under the Government’s austerity measures. Photo: ROYAL NAVY In the next two weeks, Britain's decommissioned Harrier...