The ancient discussion about the purposes of wealth and the conflict between oligarchy – rule of the rich – and democracy – the rule of the demos/the people comes to the fore once again with the Occupy protests.
The free market approach to food security has depended too heavily on an unsustainable system of cheap food imports and high fossil-fuel consumption. It's time to counter this by supporting environmentally efficient small farms, and increasing investment in agro-ecological research.
Dr. Pedro Paez talks about the creation of a new financial architecture in Latin America, based on principles of redistribution, environmental sustainability and social cohesion rather than market principles that dominated the old architecture.
Whose interest does the ten-year Strategy document for Africa actually serve? The World Bank has shown little insight into the real problems Africa faces, focusing instead on ineffective policies, support for repressive regimes and projects that are known to have failed.
The world has had more than enough of the Washington Consensus. It’s time to impose an Istanbul Consensus based on common sense, low-cost solutions, public honesty and simple justice and give the people of the LDCs, at last, a chance.
Despite the bailouts and the hype - nothing significant has actually changed in the financial industry; and the crisis in Europe remains. Susan talks about what still must be done to prevent further economic crises in Europe, stabilise, and green the economy.
Although initiated as a counter-forum to Davos, the World Social Forum has evolved beyond it now, focusing on the root causes of problems facing humanity and developing real alternatives as solutions.
After decades of chemicals, farmers in the Philippines are seeing the benefits of organic farming. But what convinced them to make the switch in the first place?
As the U.S. and Europe appear to be headed for a deeper economic crisis, some analysts discern a “decoupling” of East Asia and other developing areas from the western economies.
