Monocultures, multinationals and murders - ‘No unions, no strikes’

The Cavite Export Processing Zone in Rosario, 30km south of Manila, is the country’s most important free zone, with 10,000 workers and 250 businesses (clothing, electronics) in a huge area surrounded by a concrete wall topped with barbed wire. Visitors have to show their credentials to armed guards at a checkpoint.
On the evening of 10 [...]

Speculate to accumulate

he International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation promised that more trade would help to eradicate poverty and hunger. Foodcrops? Self-sufficiency in food? They had a better idea. Local farms would be closed down or encouraged to concentrate on exports. This would make the most, not of natural conditions which might be good for [...]

The US gas garrison

The Carter Doctrine, established 28 years ago, put the US military in service of assuring the nation’s regular supplies of imported oil. This has near-bankrupted the US and corrupted the military, yet left the US insecure in energy sources and globally loathed. The time has come to demote petroleum and stand down the troops.
By Michael [...]

World Bank: Israel limits impact of aid to Palestinians

Despite $7.7 billion in aid pledged to Palestinians, economic growth in PA muted due to Israeli-imposed restrictions on travel and trade, new World Bank survey reveals. Figures show 96% of industrial operations in Gaza suspended
Billions of aid dollars pledged to the Palestinians to bolster peace talks with Israel are having a muted economic impact because [...]

Islands at Risk: GE in Hawaii

Latin America breaks free of the US

The US has lost ground in Latin America over the past decade, since the project to develop the Free Trade Area of the Americas flopped and since leftwing governments took power and used it with imagination and vigour. The US continues to try to block such emancipation by promoting more free trade agreements, and increasing [...]

Africa says no – and means it

The unimaginable has happened, to the displeasure of arrogant Europe. Africa, thought to be so poor that it would agree to anything, has said no in rebellious pride. No to the straitjacket of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), no to the complete liberalisation of trade, no to the latest manifestations of the colonial pact.

It happened [...]

The Absurdity of “Independent” Kosovo

With their unfailing passion for the inconsequential and their knack for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, NATO leaders appear determined to carve the province of Kosovo out of Serbia and grant it “independence.” That they lack the physical, legal and moral power to bestow independent statehood to a part of a state [...]

Twisted Priorities - Bush Returns to Africa

This week, President Bush sets out on his second state visit to Africa. The six-day trip will take him to Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda and Tanzania. Yet it is far from clear what the people of Africa stand to gain from the visit. A lame duck president with a hostile Congress at home, Bush has [...]

Washington sets out to conquer “virgin territory”

“At the end of March President Bill Clinton will be making his first visit to Africa. Just as the ex-colonial powers are apparently retiring from the scene, at a loss to come up with any constructive ideas, the United States is starting to focus on the continent as one of the last virgin territories for [...]