Globalization

In Portland's Waterfront Park, Steve Wessing sold Occupation-themed buttons to demonstrators for $1 each. Photos: Michael Andersen for MercyCorps.

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Can middle-class Americans really speak for "the other 99 percent"? Demonstrators say so

Sometimes, people who claim to speak for "the other 99 percent" aren't actually among them.

Developing countries are determined to foster stronger domestic science communities. Photo:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/4857944215/">NASA (flickr)</a>

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Space: The economic development frontier

Developing countries are shooting for the moon.

The Load Carrier has the potential to lighten the loads of laborers around the globe. <a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/core77_design_awards/core77_design_award_2011_load_carrier_for_labour_winner_for_productsequipment_20072.asp">Photo:Core77</a>

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For a Backpack that can Become a Pushcart, Simplicity is Genius

Design competition winners are often futuristic, with complex materials and major price tags. The winner of design site Core77’s first competition is just the opposite.

China had the most mobile subscribers in the world in 2010 with over 850 million subscriptions. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/triciawang/4108015868/sizes/m/in/photostream/">Tricia Wang 王圣捷 (flickr)</a>

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China's Microblogging Middle Class

As the Chinese government attempts to keep its grip on the web, China’s middle class is pushing back.

Rural residents who stay in the countryside must stand center stage in the next phase of Indian development. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3975862441/in/set-72157603822434767">mckaysavage (flickr)</a>

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Indian Development: Act II

At long last, the rural poor are stepping into the spotlight of Indian economic development.

African leaders discuss the state of the African economy at the 2010 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings. Photo: <a href="http://bit.ly/igpQNw">International Monetary Fund (flickr)</a>

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Oh, My! On Economic Growth, Africa's Lions Keep Pace with Asia's tigers

Since 2001, the budding economies of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have dominated global financial headlines. But looking back, it turns out some of the so-called “African lion” economies (Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Chad, Mozambique and Rwanda) were just as fierce.

The Developing Worlds Educated face Tough Choices after Graduation. Photo: Farhad Zalmai for Mercy Corps

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Brain drain or brain gain? Lessons from Ricardo

“Brain drain” has long bothered policymakers in poor countries says The Economist. But recent migration studies and a touch of classical economics suggest the better phrase is “brain gain."

A country that sends its most skilled workers abroad has three key advantages:

Poster for a Nollywood film. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nollywoodforever/4941468802/in/photostream/"> Nollywoodforever (flickr)</a>

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Hollywood, Bollywood and Now...Nollywood?!

Nollywood is Nigeria's answer to California's Hollywood, and India's Bollywood. What began with a single film in the late 1990s, now dominates the African film market.

Electronic companies say it is impossible to trace the source of minerals used in products. But, a dealer in Eastern Congo shows minerals from a rebel-held mine and non-conflict minerals. Photo: <a href="http://bit.ly/fT4Jzk">Grassroots Group (flickr)</a>

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The High Price of Complex Global Supply Chains

To cut costs, some U.S. companies source and assemble materials overseas, which can make it hard to track a complex global supply chain. It also means that a product designed by a U.S. company but manufactured in China could be considered a Chinese export.

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Green School

At Green School in rural Bali, K-12 students learn not only the staples of a traditional education — reading, writing and arithmetic — but also how to grow organic rice and build with sustainably produced bamboo. Students from the local community, as well

Human trafficking is a very profitable, low risk business venture. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelr/2212313791/">Samuel Ronnqvist (flickr)</a>

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Fighting Slavery With Economics

Modern slavery takes many forms.

Students in South Africa learn how to use smartphones. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22774534@N00/4308190927/in/photostream/">DI GameWorks (flickr)</a>

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Africa's Anticipated Mobile Internet Revolution

The internet revolution in Africa will not be televised, but it will most likely be tweeted from a mobile device.

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Kabul's First Skatepark

In a place ravaged by years of war, there is something new taking place: Afghan youth propelled by a deck on four wheels and armed with an abundance of self confidence and a new pair of skate shoes.

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