Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism

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Economic History

Africans in America—PBS Online
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/

"PBS offers this companion site to their new television series that "chronicles the history of racial slavery in the United States...and explores the central paradox that is at the heart of the American story: a democracy that declared all men equal but enslaved and oppressed one people to provide independence and prosperity to another." The four sections of the Website are based on time periods and correspond to the four television episodes of the series: The Terrible Transformation (1450-1750), Revolution (1750-1805), Brotherly Love (1791-1831), and Judgment Day (1831-1865). Each of the four programs contains a Narrative (historical essay) and a Resource Bank (over 400 items, including biographies and events, historical documents, and interviews). PBS has also developed a Teacher’s Guide for each episode, containing questions and activities, suggestions on how to integrate materials from the Resource Bank into classroom learning, a list of related print and Web resources, and an outline of each episode." (Scout Report, 1023/98)

Asia's Economic Collapse: Some Views
www.stern.nyu.edu/~nroubini/asia/AsiaHomepage.html 

Nouriel Roubini's site on the reasons for the Asian economic collapse that began in 1997.  A good place to begin is at the chronology of the collapse, and then delve into some of the many essays and analyses of the collapse.   You'll need to learn some basic economic concepts, and Roubini does an excellent job presenting these and offering some reasons for the collapse.   A wonderful case study in the dynamics of global trade.

"Been Here So Long": Selections from the WPA American Slave Narratives
http://newdeal.feri.org/asn/

"This new site from the New Deal Network (reviewed in the October 25, 1996 Scout Report) features a selection of seventeen interviews of former slaves conducted by members of the Federal Writers Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). As with the recollections featured at the University of Virginia’s American Slave Narratives: An Online Anthology (discussed in the February 28, 1997 Scout Report), these narratives are from the 2,000 interviews with ex-slaves collected during 1936-1938 by journalists and other writers employed by the Federal Writers Project. In addition to the narratives, organized alphabetically by name, the site features an introductory essay, three lesson plans, and a modest annotated guide to related online resources." (Scout Report, 4/2/1999)

Businesshistory.net
http://www.businesshistory.net/

Businesshistory.net is a nonprofit that celebrates the "history of American business" with special emphasis on the positive aspects of free enterprise. Their well-designed Website offers historical information on successful companies, including a monthly listing of featured companies for which a short description and history are provided. The site also provides links to a variety of business history museums, business historians, universities, and organizations, as well as general business and history links. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, March 9, 2000)

The Columbian Exchange
http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/columbian.htm

A site devoted to the theme of Alfred W Crosby's classic book, The Columbian Exchange, concerning the ecological and epidemiological impact of contact between the new world and the old world.  The site contains links to resources that include Scholars Debate, and Links to Online Resources

Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/

Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy is a three-part, six-hour documentary series and Web site. Providing a comprehensive history of the ideas, events, and values that have shaped the present global economy, the Commanding Heights Web site examines the history of the global economy and demonstrates how key economic theories have evolved in the context of historical events. The three-part television series includes: Part One -- "The Battle of Ideas" -- which aired last Wednesday, April 3rd at 9pm; Part Two -- "The Agony of Reform" -- which airs this Wednesday, April 10th at 9pm; and Part Three -- "The New Rules of the Game" -- which airs Wednesday, April 17th at 9pm. Internet users not able to view the television series will have the opportunity to watch streaming online videos of all three programs. The Commanding Heights Web site is available in both high and low bandwidth versions, offering a time map, an interactive atlas of economic history that allows users to track changes in political boundaries and major shifts in economic policies in more than thirty nations from 1910 to the present, and an online forum for users to discuss contemporary economic issues raised by the broadcast. Forthcoming is an online teachers' guide that will provide suggestions for applications of the Web site in classroom instruction. This guide will be available in versions for both high school and post-secondary educators.

The Crash [RealPlayer]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/crash/

This extensive online report, by PBS television’s Frontline, chronicles the global financial crisis of 1998. A five-minute video follows Thailand’s crash and its role in beginning the Asian financial crisis. Also included are a timeline of the events, _Time Magazine_ reporter Andrew Meier’s report on the impact of the crash on Russia’s economy, and interviews with leading economists and financial journalists including Jeffrey E. Garten, Stanley E. Fischer, and Joseph E. Stiglitz.(Scout Report for Business and Economics, 7/14/99)

Economic History
socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/new.html

A collection of classic works on economics and related subjects; essays and selections by Ricardo, Maine, Durkheim, Mill, Turgot, Keynes, Rousseau, and Veblen, among others.  An excellent source of primary documents.

Edward Bellamy: A Nineteenth Century Visionary
http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/wooda/bellamy.html

Professor Andrew Wood's site details the life and work of Edward Bellamy, the author of the utopian book, Looking Backwards.  The site contains original essays by Wood describing the influence of Bellamy and the substance of his work, as well as material by Bellamy himself.

European Voyages of Exploration
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/HIST/tutor/eurvoya/index.html

University of Calgary Applied History Research Group Multimedia History
Tutorials
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/HIST/tutor/

"This richly illustrated (yet quickly loading) tutorial from the Applied History Research Group at the University of Calgary guides users through the European voyages of exploration and conquest in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Focusing on Spain and Portugal, the site explores the economic, political, and cultural factors that sustained and advanced exploration. Users will find brief histories of the two kingdoms and overviews of their voyages to the Atlantic, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas. The tutorial includes numerous maps, in addition to discussions of issues such as cartography, navigation, warfare, religion, slavery, and communication, in the Knowledge & Power section..." (Scout Report, 3/12/99)

Financial Scandals Site
www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/arian/scandals/

The culture of capitalism creates, as do all societies, its own types of deviance and crime.  The most distinctive (although by and large the least punished) are the large-scale financial scandals that sometimes involve millions and even billions of dollars.  This award winning site reviews some of these, such as BCCI, Barings, Daiwa, Sumitomo, Credit Lyonnais, Bre-X, among others.  The site contains articles on the various scandals, and comments from government officials. Check out the details of the Barings collapse, and how one person, (a 28-year-old trader named Nick Leeson) could, in today's global economy, bring down one of the major banks in the world.

History of Credit and Debt
http://getoutofdebt.org/history/default.htm

Contemporary money is based on and created by debt.   That is, every time a bank or any other agent issues a loan, it, in effect, creates money.  In fact some 95% or more of all money is "debt money."  This site provides information on the history of credit and debt and the consequences for individuals and society.

History of Economic Thought
http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/index.htm

The New School for Social Research's economics site on the history of economics.   A wonderful resource for learning about the history of economics.  "This web site includes home pages for over five hundred economists from the 17th Century until the modern day, organized in three main forms - through an Alphabetical Index, by division into Schools of Thought (loosely defined) and via linked surveys on topics. Each individual web page contains a bibliography of their most important works plus some comments, composed by ourselves, on their individual contributions to economic theory."

Latitude: The Art and Science of Fifteenth-Century Navigation
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/site_map.html

Patricia Seed's wonderful site that contains almost everything you wanted of needed to know about the period in which world trade began to rapidly expand, and in which European seafarers established trading links all over the world.  You get information on everything from the kinds of ships that were used (and how to build them), to the affects of ocean currents.

Museum of American Financial History
http://www.financialhistory.org/

Founded by securities dealer John Herzog in 1988, the Museum of American Financial History aims to collect and preserve US historical financial artifacts that bring "the nation’s financial history alive." Students, policy makers, media professionals, and the general public will enjoy selected articles from the quarterly publication _Financial History_ in addition to online exhibits like Financing the Civil War, a historical narrative complete with images of obsolete banknote and securities issued by the North and South. [MW] (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 7/1/99)

The Relevance of Adam Smith
http://www.richmondfed.org/publications/economic_research/the_relevance_of_adam_smith/index.cfm

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond explores the relevance of eighteenth-century economist Adam Smith in today’s world. Quoting heavily from Smith’s famous work _The Wealth of Nations_, this article summarizes many of Smith’s main themes and ideas, and attempts to prove that Smith’s "ideas have become so thoroughly absorbed into our intellectual heritage that they are no longer identifiable as having originated with Adam Smith." (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 8/12/99)

The Silk Road Site
http://idp.bl.uk/

A site of the International Dunhuang Project of the British Library devoted to the history of the Silk Road containing pictures of artifacts and documents to provide insights into Silk Road life of the first millenium.

TheStreet.com’s 100 Events that Shaped a Century
http://www.thestreet.com/basics/countdown/748433.html

The financial news service TheStreet.com ranks top events effecting US businesses in the 20^th century in The Basics of Business History: 100 Events that Shaped a Century. Readers may view events such as Bill Gates’ licensing of MS-DOS to IBM or the introduction of Bakelite in numerical order, or put business history in socio-political context with the TSC Timeline—a triple chronology with business, news, and cultural events arranged side-by-side. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 6/17/99)

Top Economic Events of the Twentieth Century—The Dismal Scientist
http://www.economy.com/dismal/

The Dismal Scientist is commemorating the year 2000 with a look back at the top economic events of the 20^th century. The editors have ranked their picks of the top 25 economic events of the past 100 years, according to criteria including the nature of the event, how it affected the US economy, and the long-term effects of the event. Each event is linked to a short article about its economic impact. The Dismal Scientist has also included a form for its readership to submit events. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, November 4, 1999)

Victorian Economics
http://www.victorianweb.org/economics/econov.html

You can access documents by economics of the period including Adam Smith and David Ricardo, along with critiques of industrial capitalism.  You can even find a definition of capitalism.

Virtual Maritime Museum
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/maritime_museum/estart.html

This is one of those gems of a site you run into almost by accident on the Web, and is an excellent supplement to Chapter Three of Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, on the historical construction of the capitalist.  The site was created by the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and has three basic areas labeled ADVENTURE , EXPLORATION, and COMMERCE.   Much of the site details the history of trade in the Northwest coast of North America, but there is also a feature on the history of trade , and the trade routes for commodities such as salt, gold, silk, spices and porcelain. 

Whole Cloth: Discovering Science and Technology Through American Textile History—SI NMAH [frames, Quicktime, JavaScript]
http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/whole_cloth/

In Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, we discuss the role of textiles in the expansion of capitalism, and its subsequent impact on the rest of the world.   "The Society for the History of Technology (SHOT) has released three units of an eight-unit interdisciplinary curriculum that examines 'the history of textiles, the technology and science of production, and their consumption' for American history or social studies courses in middle and high school. Included among the goals for this curriculum is a 'hope that teachers and students will learn more about technology and invention, about American history, and about how women and people of color interacted with technology throughout history.' Each unit contains hands-on activities and handouts for students, lesson plans and notes for teachers, glossaries, and bibliographies." (The Scout Report, 11/13/98)

Economic Policy and Indicators

Doing Business
http://rru.worldbank.org/DoingBusiness/default.aspx

"The Doing Business Database provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement. The Doing Business indicators are comparable across 145 economies. They indicate the regulatory costs of business and can be used to analyze specific regulations that enhance or constrain investment, productivity and growth."

EconDash.com
http://www.econdash.net/

EconDash.com offers a number of automobile dashboard-inspired charts for understanding the main indicators of the US economy and US national expenditures. Easy to read, but rather difficult to describe, EconDash's charts present a meter for each indicator and expenditure. Users can click on the meters (e.g., private fixed investment growth, labor productivity) to access further information: descriptions, trendlines, and analysis. The site also contains a helpful FAQ guide to using and understanding the tools, "Econ 101" a short lesson in basic economic concepts, and links to some of the best economics sites online. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 5/17/01)

Economic Data and Links to Other Sources for Economists
http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/econinfo.htm

One place that you can find an assortment of economic data on the U.S., China, and other countries, along with links to other general economic sites.

Economic Policy Institute
www.epinet.org/

"The Economic Policy Institute's mission is to provide high-quality research and education in order to promote a prosperous, fair, and sustainable economy. The Institute stresses real-world analysis and a concern for the living standards of working people, and it makes its findings accessible to the general public, the media, and policy makers."  Some excellent sources on trade and globalization, as well as sustainable development.

The Economic Report of the President [.pdf]
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/eop/

This Web page contains the entire 2004 report as well as economic reports from previous years, dating back as far as 1995. Statistical tables in spreadsheet format are also accessible and can be downloaded individually (.pdf) or in their entirety (.zip). In addition, the site offers links to related budget documents and the chart book entitled Changing America: indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being by Race and Hispanic Origin. Changing America, prepared by the Council of Economic Advisers for the President's Initiative on Race, documents current differences in well-being by race and Hispanic origin and describes how such differences have evolved over the past several decades. All documents are downloadable in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or ASCII text format. [MG] 

Economic Statistics
http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/esbr.html

This site based at the White House provides links to categories of economic statistics pertaining to the U.S. and world economy.

The Economist (Frames Required)
www.economist.com/

One of the foremost sources of global economic news, particularly for investors.  The site also includes the Coca-cola map of the world about the economic and political significance of cola consumption around the globe; (The Economist finds that Coca-cola use correlates positively with quality of life and democracy), an article on the corporate alliances of McDonald's and a review of two books about McDonald's and Coca Cola. What country has the most expensive Big Mac?  Which countries have undervalued currencies?   

Fedstats
http://www.fedstats.gov/

The gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies.

Finfacts Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2001
http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm

Both interesting and informative, Finfact’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey for 2001 compares prices of more than 200 items in 144 cities across the globe. Using New York City, which ranked tenth in 2001, as an absolute (at 100%), the survey compares relative costs of living in major metropolitan areas worldwide, particularly in major financial and commercial hubs. Ranking first, second, and third respectively, Tokyo, Moscow, and Hong Kong enjoy placement at the top of the list. Given the current state of the economy, it is nice to see that there are actually many places where a cup of coffee is a lot more expensive than it is here. [WH]

Global Macroeconomics and Financial Policy Site
http://www.stern.nyu.edu/globalmacro/

Nouriel Roubini, associate professor of economics and international business at the Stern School of Business, New York University, has updated his award-winning Global Macroeconomics and Financial Policy Site (first reviewed in the November 6, 1997 Scout Report for Business and Economics). A necessity for any economist, the newly redesigned site is much easier to navigate. The information is divided into three main sections: Interesting Readings, Hot Topics, and Current News. The content of each section is listed chronologically and includes the title and date. The menu along the left side of the screen offers information-rich resources on a variety of topics including the Asian crisis, exchange rates, academic research on currency collapse models and the Asian crisis, and international financial system. Each subtopic links to a vast compilation of resources. Here users will unearth a gold mine of information on global macroeconomics. (Scout Report 9/22/00)

Institute of Development Studies Research on Globalisation
http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/global/index.html

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is an internationally known center for development research and study located in Bristol, England. The Globalisation team creates policy-related research and advisory agendas focused on "spreading the gains of globalisation" to all people equally. Be sure to explore the Recent Highlights section of the Website, which contains excellent briefs on the Globalisation team's current research. The Current Activities section of the site explains the team's current research interests in fascinating, easy-to-understand language. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 5/17/01)

Institute for International Economics
www.iie.com/

"The Institute for International Economics is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy. Since 1981 the Institute has provided timely, objective analysis of key international economic problems and proposed concrete solutions to them."  You can find books (generally with the introduction Online), and a series of working papers on international economics.

Left Business Observer
http://www.panix.com/~dhenwood/LBO_home.html

Left Business Observer is an 8-page more-or-less monthly newsletter on economics and politics in the U.S. and the world at large. A list of back issues since 1990 is on this web site.  The site also contains interviews with economic analysts from the left and summaries of articles.

National Bureau of Economic Research
http://www.nber.org/

The NBER is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works. Our research is conducted by more than 600 university professors around the country, the leading scholars in their fields.

New Economy Index
http://www.neweconomyindex.org/

The New Economy Index is a series of indicators that are "gathered from existing public and private data, to illustrate fundamental structural changes in the US economy, to show what those changes mean in the lives of working Americans, and to measure the nation’s progress in several key foundation areas for future economic growth." The data in this excellent resource are divided into three sections. What’s New About the New Economy includes thirteen indications that show the uniqueness and structure of the new technology-based and innovation-based economy. The second section considers the ways in which the New Economy will affect the lives of American workers. Finally, the third section, Foundations for Future Growth, projects the future growth of technology in the US. The site also includes information about the data sources, endnotes, and several side articles. Although the New Economy Index was created in 1998, the information is still valid and useful. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, March 9, 2000)

Preamble Collaborative for Public Policy
www.preamble.org

"The Preamble Collaborative is an independent research and public education organization based in Washington, D.C. Preamble works in partnership with a broad network of academics, policy professionals and community leaders who share our concerns about the pressing social, economic and political challenges facing the United States."   Their mission is to promote  "vigorous public dialogue about the economic problems confronting America's working families and encourage the development of serious, workable solutions."  At the site you'll find articles and other resources relating to global economics. 

Privatization.Org
http://www.privatization.org/

This site promotes the virtues of privatization of resources.  As such it offers insight into the extent to which we are enclosing the commons and destroying collectivities.

Pulse of Capitalism
http://www.comw.org/poc/

A quarterly publications that examines problems and issues in the national and global economy.  For example you can explore the issues involving personal debt or you might want to find out where all the money is coming from.  Wonderful source of information.

Understanding Economics
http://www.henrygeorge.org/

Corporate power has overtaken the political process, has corrupted the media and enslaved the workers. This is not exactly the freshest of news, explains this Website.  The question is what to do about it.  The site describes the economic theories of Henry George first described in his book written just over 100 years ago called Progress and Poverty.  In his time, Henry George was one of the best known Americans, and his economic ideas, focusing on the single tax. 

U.S. Debt Clock
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

Here you can find the current amount of the U.S. public debt along with news articles about the debt and how it impacts on the U.S. economy, individuals and families.

US Export Sales Reports
http://www.fas.usda.gov/export-sales/esrd1.html

Providing graphic and statistical representation of weekly, monthly, and yearly sales, the US Export Sales Reports track primary American commodities marketed abroad, including wheat, cotton, feed grains, oilseeds, rice, beef, and hides and skins. Especially from a lay person's perspective, the level of detail of each report is astonishingly minute and analytical. For instance, for wheat and rice alone, each commodity is broken down and tracked by no fewer than six or seven specific varieties respectively. Beyond their reporting services, the FAS also tracks five year trends and makes future sales projections of listed commodities. Not only interesting from the agricultural and economic perspectives, the Export Sales Reports also serve as significant indicators of foreign trade and political relations between the United States and its major trading partners, illustrated by the reports' listing of the primary purchasers of commodities by nation. In addition to its various weekly features, the Export Sales Report site also links to a variety of other USDA sites, including detailed historical explanations of the reports' evolution and the agencies that generate them. Among the most interesting histories is the site's description of the massive Soviet purchase of US grain in 1972, the event behind the creation of the Export Sales Report.  (Scout Report, 1/11/02)

Washington Post Special on Trade Policy
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/trade/trade.htm

Check out the latest news on free trade agreements and policies.

World Economic Outlook Interim Assessment--Crisis in Asia: Regional and Global Implications
www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/weo1297/index.htm

World Economic Outlook (WEO) -- IMF [.pdf] http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/1999/01/index.htm WEO Database [.csv] http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/1999/01/data/index.htm

"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently released the May 1999 issue of the World Economic Outlook (last discussed in the January 15, 1999 Scout Report), a biannual assessment of the world economic situation. Overall, the IMF predicts a few years of slow growth, but no dramatic global recession. The full text of the 255-page report is available in .pdf format in six parts at the IMF site. Users can also access the WEO Database, which contains data in nine categories in comma delimited, .csv text file format. Explanatory notes on each data set and tips on viewing and saving data tables are provided." (The Scout Report, 4/2/1999)

World Economic Outlook (WEO) -- IMF [.pdf]
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/1999/02/index.htm

This semi-annual comprehensive survey of the outlook of the world economy, from the staff of the International Monetary Fund, looks at world economic developments and future prospects. WEO considers the challenges of global adjustments in areas including the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, as well as the emerging market economies. Each chapter needs to be downloaded separately in .pdf format. This report also links to the new WEO Database. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 10/7/1999)

World Economic Outlook, 2003
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2003/01/index.htm

World Economic Situation and Forecast
http://www.un.org/esa/analysis/

Produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (ESA), this report offers a review of the worldwide economic situation for each year with a forecast for the next. Offered in .pdf format, the report contains a global overview and six chapters analyzing Developed Economies, Economies in Transition, Developing Economies, International Trade, Financial Markets, and Official Development Finance and Debt.  (Scout Report, 4/2/99)

World Policy Institute
http://www.worldpolicy.org/wpi/index.html

Homes at the New School for Social Research, the World Policy Institute conducts research on various global issues.  Included in these are: 

• American Grand Strategy After September 11
• Arms Trade Resource Center
• Building a Global Middle Class
• Building Global Democracy and Human Rights
• The Counter-Terrorism Project
• The Cuba Education Project
• Program on Emerging Powers
• Eurasia Project
• The Russia Project
• The United Nations Project
• United States and the World Lecture Series  

International Economics and Development

The 2001 Index of Economic Freedom
http://www.heritage.org/index/2001/

This report from the conservative Heritage Foundation ranks countries by their degree of "economic freedom."  It's a fascinating summary of the extent to which different countries allow the free flow of  production, investment and consumption.  The Report concludes that the greater the degree of economic freedom in a country, the higher the rate of economic growth.

Berkeley Roundtable on International Economy
brie.berkeley.edu/BRIE/

"The Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE) is a small,
interdisciplinary research project at the University of California at Berkeley ...[that considers] the real-world interactions of technology, markets, and economies and to formulate path-breaking positions that challenge conventional economic policy-making."  There is a wealth of information at the site, including essays, links to other sites, and courses on economic globalization.

Centre for the Study of African Economies [.pdf]
http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/  

Part of Oxford University's Department of Economics, "The Centre applies modern research methods to Africa's economic problems. Research is both microeconomic, with a focus on the problems facing individual producers (farms and firms) in Africa, and macroeconomic. It ranges from studies on how to make health care more cost-effective in rural Ethiopia (by spending money on drugs and equipment rather than building more clinics), to the determinants of inflation in Kenya. It has a strong focus on the constraints on investment in manufacturing, drawing upon surveys in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Côte d'Ivoire."

Center on Research on Globalization
http://www.globalresearch.ca/

A Canada-Based site on globalization.  Contains articles and links to breaking news relating to globalization and its effects.  They describe themselves as "an independent research and media group of progressive writers, scholars and activists committed to curbing the tide of "globalisation" and "disarming" the New World Order. The CRG webpage at http://globalresearch.ca based in Montréal publishes news articles, commentary, background research and analysis on a broad range of issues, focussing on the interrelationship between social, economic, strategic, geopolitical and environmental processes."

Development Goals
http://www.developmentgoals.org/

The International Development Goals "set targets for reductions in poverty, improvements in health and education, and protection of the environment." These goals have been adopted by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the UN, and numerous other agencies. At this site, visitors can learn more about specific goals and view data for both regions and specific countries. At present, there are 207 country tables which present timeseries data for four of the last ten years. These are accessed via a pull-down menu in the data section, along with goal tables by region and maps. Charts accessed through the pull-down menu include definitions for each indicator. Summaries of progress towards each of the goals and regional overviews are also available at the bottom of the data page. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 5/17/01)

The E-Book: Global Money, The Good Life and You [frames]
www.uiowa.edu/~erclog/webdex/

Written by Professor Enrique R. Carrasco and his students, the E-Book Global Money, The Good Life and You provides basic and accessible discussion of key concepts relating to international finance and development.   Coverage includes the roles of the IMF and the World Bank in a globalized economy as well as the Mexican and Asian financial crises.  A wonderful place to begin understanding some of the history of the idea of development and the role (both good and bad) of multilateral institutions.   

Focus on the Global South
http://focusweb.org/

A superb site that addresses the affects of the globalization of trade on the majority of people in the periphery.  "Even as the wealthy and some sections of the middle-class around the world have progressed economically, the oppressed and poor, especially women and indigenous peoples, have over the last 15 years suffered a major setback in their quest for economic development, social equality and real independence. There has also been a significant and steady erosion of a large portion of the population's economic base. This trend is taking firmer root as the globalization process accelerates and becomes all-pervasive."  Focus is directed to this problem. 

"Global Economic Prospects and the Developing Countries 2001" -- World Bank [.pdf, RealPlayer, QuickTime]
http://www.worldbank.org/prospects/gep2001/

This year's annual report on the economic prospects for developing countries focuses on international trade and the policies needed to help these nations benefit from global integration. The news is good for many developing countries, whose economic growth is expected to register "5.3 percent this year, 5 percent next year, and ease to 4.8 percent by 2002." However, the world's poorest nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have not kept pace. The full report is available online, but each chapter must be downloaded separately in .pdf format. The official press release and summary are available in several languages including Chinese, German, Russian, and English. The main page also provides a slide show of the primary points and issues of the report and a video interview with the Director of the Bank's Economy Policy and Prospects program, as well as regional economic prospects and related links. (Scout Report 12/8/00)

Global Issues That Affect Everyone
http://www.globalissues.org/

Anup Shah's terrific site that details global problems ranging from population, to debt, to racism, to the causes of poverty.  The site is filled with links to other resources in the context of discussions regarding global issues. 

Global Trade Expansion and Liberalisation: Gender Issues and Impacts [.pdf]
http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/reports/re42c.pdf

"Global Trade Expansion and Liberalisation: Gender Issues and Impacts is a new study prepared by Marzia Fontana, Susan Joekes, and Rachel Masika for the UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) and published by Briefings on Development and Gender, BRIDGE (reviewed in the March 23, 1999 Scout Report for Social Sciences). The authors advocate the use of gender as a variable in formulating trade policies and consider the implications of trade liberalization on the livelihood of women in poor nations. This 86-page study also reviews existing research on gender and trade and provides case studies for Ghana, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Jamaica."(Scout Report, 4/9/99)

Handbook of International Economic Statistics 1998--CIA
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/hies97/index.htm

Lots of statistics on countries compiled by the CIA.  For example, check out the GNPs, import statistics and energy consumption rates of selected countries.

Human Society and the Global Economy
online.bcc.ctc.edu/econ100/ksttext/chaplist.htm

An online book about global economics written and prepared by Kit Sims Taylor.   "Human Society and the Global Economy is a textbook-in-progress for a survey course in economics. It takes an institutionalist/Post-Keynesian approach. The organization of the book is primarily historical -- following the intertwined development of the global capitalist economy and of economics from the beginning of capitalism to the present. Themes that are examined include: micro-order and macro-order; market and state; development, growth and evolution of the capitalist economy; technology and society; distribution of income and wealth; and the visions of the major economists."

Supply Side University
www.polyconomics.com/univ.htm

Jude Wanniski's site that consists of a fascinating two-semester course on his view of supply-side economics.  Wanniski was an advisor to Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp among others (see Robert D. Novak's introduction to Wanniski's book, The Way the World Works).   Supply-side economics (as Wanniski phrases it) assumes that " production," or "supply," must precede consumption, or "demand." Production must occur before consumption can occur. Check out the basic concept in lesson one.

Third World Network
www.twnside.org.sg

The site is devoted to understanding issues in economic development, particular the affects of economic globalization on the periphery.  A lot of very good information, particularly the series of papers on Third World Economics, and those devoted to the reasons for and affects of the global economic crisis of 1997-98.

United States Pacific Command: Asia-Pacific Economic Update 2002
http://www.pacom.mil/publications/apeu02/apeu2002.htm

An great resource and one of the most extensive studies of the impact of the Asian crash of 2000 available anywhere online or in print. Produced by the United States Pacific Command's Strategic Planning and Policy Directorate, the report offers a country-by-country economic analysis of the entire Pacific region. Not always for the faint of heart, the report tells it like it is, detailing the often devastating impact of the financial crises that were unleashed on the region throughout the 1990s to present. Presented as individual reports and several broader regional analyses, the study is essential reading for anyone hoping to grasp the big picture of the global economy, because the Pacific region comprises the single largest sector of production and export today. It is compelling reading and offers a wealth of information on a region of vital interest to all Americans.

World Lectures
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_lectures/index.shtml

A series of lectures at the BBC on various facets of globalization.  You can also listen to interviews with the participants.

Investment and Wealth

The World’s Richest People -- _Forbes_ [Javascript]
http://www.forbes.com/2004/02/25/bill04land.html

The rich get richer, indeed. The latest annual ranking of the world’s richest people from _Forbes_ magazine includes 200 billionaires from around the globe. Leading the pack once again is Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, with a cool $90 billion. Six other Americans join him in the top ten. Users can peruse the list of the filthy rich by name, net worth, or country. Brief biographical entries are provided for each. A clickable world map of billionaires and an internal search engine are also provided. [MD] (Scout Report 6/25/99)

Armchair Millionaire
www.armchairmillionaire.com/ 

If you are reading Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, and you are playing the role of a merchant adventurer, you might as well find out what you are supposed to do.  At the Armchair Millionaire site you learn the five steps to making your fortune in the modern world (you have to register, although it's free).  The site, of course, is a commercial one (for Charles Schwab, Inc.), but it does give you a good idea of the principles of investing. Check out the Global Investing page.

Betting on the Market
www.pbs.org/frontline/shows/betting/ 

A companion site to the PBS Frontline special on the stockmarket.  Check out the essay by Ken Kursen, Young Investors and the Market.  It will provide a good introduction to the workings of the stock market, although most of the material is dated before the beginning of the "bear market" of 1998..  How did Kursen react to his first experience with a "bear market"?   How do you think he reacted in August of 1998?

A Classification of American Wealth
http://www.raken.com/american_wealth/index.asp

Brought to you by Raken, an ecommerce site specializing in ethnic-inspired art, A Classification of American Wealth is a genealogy and history of the wealthiest families in US history. This online book-in-progress is being written by Drew Caradine Shouter, a pseudonymous writer and historian who specializes in wealth accumulation and society in the United States. The site continues to expand and currently contains chapters on the years 1675, 1700, 1725, 1750, and 1775, including profiles of the wealthy individuals alive during these time periods. Topics explored include manor lords, planters and aristocrats, shipping merchants, New York City landlords, and early industrialists. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 5/17/01)

Commodity Futures & Financial Market Charts
tfc-charts.w2d.com/ 

One of the features of the culture of capitalism is the commodification of virtually everything, including agricultural produce, raw materials, etc.  Playing the commodities market is one of the major money-making (or losing) games available to investors.  At this site you can check out the ups and downs of major commodites including barley, corn, wheat, cattle, coffee, and oil.  Check out some of the trends.  How does the price of cattle relate the price of corn?  Why should they be related?  What has happened to coffee prices?  Finally, find out what it takes to become a commodities trader by taking the short course on commodity trading.

Global Investor
www.global-investor.com/index.htm

A wonderful site for getting all kinds of information on global markets.   Lots of links to other global investing sites.  Check out some of the lastest market news for such things as currency exchange rates.

InvestorGuide Classic: Kids and Money
http://www.investorguide.com/igucollegekid.html

Created by InvestorGuide, Kids and Money is an informative site, giving tips and advice to parents as to how to raise "financially responsible children." It includes a sizable section of annotated links that teach kids how to handle money responsibly. Parents will also find a selection of links as well as a collection of articles from a variety of sources. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 1/17/2000)

InvestQuest [RealPlayer]
http://www.investquest.com/

InvestQuest is a company that "designs and hosts comprehensive investor presentations and provides financial documents for over 10,000 public companies to users in more than 145 countries." The site hosts a database of 10K reports, 10Q reports, and proxy statements for over 10,000 companies, accessible by company, ticker, or by searching the pop-down menu of industries. InvestQuest also has daily news about the companies it tracks, annual reports, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment plans for several companies, and streaming audio that allows users to listen in on analyst conference calls. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 7/14/99)

The Investor's Clearinghouse from the Alliance for Investor Education
http://www.investoreducation.org/

The Alliance for Investor Education has created the Investor's Clearinghouse in an effort to facilitate a greater understanding of investments and the financial markets among current and prospective investors of all ages. This site offers a range of investment information that includes investing basics, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, online Internet investing, financial planning, and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of stock market fraud. Overall, this site is a great resource for current investors and anyone considering investment opportunities. [MG]

John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Company
http://www.micheloud.com/FXM/SO/index.htm

How would you like to find out how one of the great fortunes of the world was accumulated?  Would you like to learn about the strategy to build a giant conglomerate?  The author, F. X. Micheloud describes his work as follows:

This text will explain you the commercial methods used by John D. Rockfeller to conquer and rule the American oil industry between 1863 and 1911. I tried to put these practices in their contexts, and to show the structures of this industry. I stopped at the final 1911 dismantling, this period offering a textbook case of a vertically integrated monopoly for the appropriation of a single natural resource. I based myself on old sources, especially Tardell's groundbreaking book, and also on more general books on the Robber Barons and the oil industry. I tried to give a neutral image of the Standard Oil story, allowing the reader to make value judgements by himself.

"Seven hyperlinked chapters cover nineteenth century oil industry technology, trusts and monopolies, Rockefeller commercial practices, and the development of the Standard Oil Company, among others. The text is available in French or English. Micheloud has enhanced the written information with a variety of archival images, chronologies, and graphs throughout." (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 10/8/98)

MarketPlayer
http://www.marketplayer.com/

How would you like to try your hand at making money in the stock market, just like all the other capital controllers?  At MarketPlayer you can do just that, and even compete for prizes against other investment strategists.  The site allows you to set up a stock portfolio and see how much money you can make, without the risk (or, the rewards, for that matter).

The Motley Fool
http://www.fool.com/

"Founded by David and Tom Gardner in 1993, The Motley Fool provides amusing and educational investment information. Feature articles address topics of money management, investment ideas, and stock research, among others. A clearly arranged Info/Help! site index aids navigation. Current stock quotes, news, and an intriguing "Fool’s School" of how-to short essays and key terminology round out this lively and colorful collection. [MW]" (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 9/10/98)

Mutual Funds Interactive
www.fundsinteractive.com/index.shtml

If you're going to be a merchant adventurer, you might as well get the latest information on mutual funds.  There is also an excellent glossary of terms you need to know if you are going to be a contemporary merchant adventurer.

NY Times Internet Financial and Business resources
www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/reference/busconn.html

A comprehensive list of business and investment sites from the New York Times.   You can find information on Markets, Investing, Companies, Banking & Finance, Government, Business News, Business Directories, and Miscellany.   Don't forget that you need to register at the New York Times site to get access to the resources.

SocialFunds.com
http://www.socialfunds.com/

It is easier than ever before to invest in companies that are more "socially responsible" than others.  This site, created in 1998 by Jay Falk, provides information to guide investors to companies that meet a range of guidelines, including their relations with labor, their environmental policies, customer relations, and their efforts to promote equal access to jobs and promotion..

Social Investment Forum Guide to Socially Responsible Investing
http://www.socialinvest.org/

In Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, we characterize the process of capital investment as a "black box;" money goes in one end and more money comes out the other with little regard to the social or environmental costs of this conversion.  The movement for socially responsible investing claims we should be aware of the costs, and that the capital investors can, through their control of capital, help build a better world.  This site provides "advice and information to help you put your dollars to work to build healthy communities, promote sustainable development, and foster a clean environment." 

Money and Currency

321Gold
http://www.321gold.com/

Even though the U.S. went off the gold standard in 1971, gold still plays an important role int he world economy.  This site will provide you with information and articles on the role of gold.

A Comparative Chronology of Money
www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/arian/amser/chrono.html  

Do you want to learn about the history of money?  This site is a great place to do it.  The award winning site is built around the book by Glyn Davies, A History of Money from Ancient Times to the Present Day.  You can find a chronology on the evolution of money, along with a series of essays based on subjects covered in the book.  According to Davies, what is inflation? Check out the essay on "Third World Money and Debt in the Twentieth Century."  According to Davies, what is the role of population in inflation?  What are some of the cures he suggests for hyperinflation?   If you want to see what money from different countries look like, check Ron Wise's Directory of World Currency.

The Currency Gallery
http://www.currencygallery.org/

Presented by the Currency Gallery and Research Foundation, The Currency Gallery is an online museum that takes Internet users on a walk through time with a pictorial, historical, and information tour of US currency. Whether it's pounds, pence, dollars, or cents, this site features pictures of every type of currency ever printed by the US government. This site is currently under construction; therefore, every page is not yet accessible. However, regardless of whether you are a currency novice or expert, this historical journey has something to offer for everyone. [MG]

EuroMoney
http://www.euromoney.com/index.html

If you are going to be a modern merchant adventurer, investing globally and making a profit, you need to know as much as possible about the economic status of the countries you are investing in, as well as knowing about events that might affect that status.  EuroMoney is the place to get this information.  You have to register to gain access to the site, but it is free.  When you get there, check the risk levels of various countries.  Which countries are the safest investments?  Which are the riskiest?

Fundamental Facts about US Money
http://www.frbatlanta.org/invoke_brochure.cfm?objectid=83FD41F3-9AF0-11D5-898400508BB89A83&method=display_body