economy

How Concentrated Wealth Threatens Humanity

Peter Phillips

The upper elites, who are one-twentieth of 1 percent (0.05) of the world’s population, get richer, and the rest of us struggle to get by. More than half of the world’s population lives in semi-poverty, tormented by combinations of poor nutrition, homelessness or the threat of it, and inadequate healthcare.

Study Shows Growing Spending Power, Influence of African-American Women

Stacy Brown

The report titled, “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic,” was released by Nielsen during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference; it revealed that African-American women’s consumer preferences and brand affinities are resonating across the mainstream culture, driving total Black spending power toward a record $1.5 trillion by 2021.

U.K. Progressives: Is There an Opportunity in the Wake of Brexit?

Nikhil Venkatesh

But while the Labour Party tears itself apart, with a challenge to its far-left leader, Jeremy Corbyn, there are some real positives to take from what happened. There is still a chance that Britain might not leave the EU. Article 50 notification, the official start of the withdrawal process, has not happened, and will not happen until the autumn at the earliest. Once it does, Britain and our European neighbors then have to come to agreements on the status of Brits abroad and Europeans in the United Kingdom, about contributions to the EU budget, and so on. 

America’s Middle Class Struggles to Preserve Retirement Security

Pamela Yip

“Half of today’s working-age households are unlikely to have enough resources to maintain their standard of living once they retire,” according to the National Retirement Risk Index, compiled by Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. That conclusion is based on very conservative assumptions, according to the index, which measures the share of working-age American households at risk of being unable to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living in retirement.

How Corruption Stymies Economic Growth and Sparks Unrest

Mark Goebel

Recent impressive growth notwithstanding, corruption also threatens to hold back India’s and Brazil’s drive to join the ranks of the world’s developed countries, and has brought Venezuela and Ukraine to the brink of political collapse. Even China, this century’s economic star, is being handicapped in its long-term quest to overtake the U.S. economically by corruption, so much so that China’s new supreme leader, President Xi Jinpang, has made stamping it out one of the main priorities of his time in office.

 

Why Vietnam Should Stand Up to Expansionary Beijing

Jonathan London

No country in the world is as experienced as Vietnam is in coping with China. Indeed, for Vietnamese, maintaining stable and minimally friendly relations with Beijing poses formidable and unremitting challenges. During waves of Chinese expansion, these challenges are doubly difficult. On one hand there is the need to deal with an aggressive neighbor in sensitive but self-respecting ways, without unduly compromising national sovereignty and interests. 

The Current Unemployment Crisis Facing Minority Youths

Imara Jones

As the White House prepares to launch a major economic opportunity effort, record high unemployment among black and Latino youth underscores how essential it is to create job opportunities for young people of color. The critical issue here is that the ages of 16 to 24 are make or break years for lifelong earning potential. With one out four blacks and one out of six Latinos under the age of 25 without work, a generation of youth of color risks falling behind.

What Is the Purpose of One for One Companies (Other Than to Make You Feel Good)?

Annie Castellani

Since TOMS launched in 2006, “buy one, give one” or “one for one” companies have become a major trend in the corporate social responsibility movement. Countless companies now subscribe to the belief that by donating one product for each product sold, business can be both profitable and beneficial to those in need. Such businesses manufacture and distribute anything from boots, blankets, backpacks and flashlights to food bars, soap, soccer balls and toothbrushes. 

What Lies Ahead For President Obama in His Second Term

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The crucial job that voters in 2008 believed Obama could do best, and still want done in 2012, is to make the economy right, rein in the Wall Street greed merchants, save jobs and homes, and get the credit pipeline to businesses open. He also will continue to be the firewall against all efforts to gut Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. His ability to accomplish these things didn’t fully happen during his first four years. The modest proposals that he put forward to attack these towering problems only gave the GOP ammunition to rally millions to harangue, hector, and obstruct Obama’s efforts. 

The Potential for Republican Buyer’s Remorse if Romney is Elected

Michael Cancella

In the highly charged, relentlessly partisan political climate of today, one only worsened by the ongoing presidential campaign, it is sometimes easy to forget that Romney isn’t exactly the Republican base’s favorite son.  Indeed, in their fervent desire to defeat President Obama, the dislike and distinct distrust that many on the far right have for Governor Romney has been effectively swept under the proverbial rug. If, however, Romney is successful in his quest for the presidency, this unity on the right will likely prove transient.

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