Search

This article discusses the relationship between democracy and growth. People in the U.S. have always believed that democracy is good for growth. Two centuries of steady development fed that belief, and only the Great Depression shook the faith for a time. Since World War II, though, democracy and prosperity have seemed of a piece. Only democracy offers freedom of choice, everywhere from the polling place to the supermarket. But that freedom of choice is hardly a prerequisite for economic growth. On the contrary, it often seems to hinder it. Nor does democracy ensure growth for the world's leading industrialized nations. Just what is the relationship between democracy and growth? Economist John F. Helliwell compared economic results for nearly 100 nations from 1960 to 1985 and concluded that there was a slight downdraft for democracies compared with nondemocracies or authoritarian regimes.

Describes how the Mexican worker is smart, motivated, cheap, and a potent new economic force to be reckoned with. Leap in Mexican productivity; Wages moving up; Mexicans earning less than Asians; Only a fraction of American wages; President Carlos Salinas de Gortari running an economy closer to the Asian model than any in the West; Many Mexican workers still can't afford to buy the products they turn out; American corporations taking advantage of lower wages.

This article looks at the allegations against Coca-Cola Co. for its mistreatment of union employees in it Colombian facilities. Union activist Ray Rogers tries to expose Coca-Cola tactics and drum up anti-Coke support on college campuses. Some students at different colleges have formed groups and some schools have banned Coke sales on campus. Union supporters cite violence at a bottling plant at Carepa as an example. INSET: Coca-Cola in Columbia: A Timeline.

Focuses on the efforts of the border patrol units in Laredo, Texas, to stop terrorism while keeping the trade flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border. Indication of the level of trade activity occurring on the border, noting the challenges faced by the United States Department of Homeland Security in keeping the borders secure; Cooperation established between the U.S. and Mexico governments in an effort to track every truck crossing the border; Technological advancements that make checking trucks and cargo possible without significantly slowing down the process; Value of goods that cross the border at the Laredo part of the border. INSET: Beefing Up Border Security.

Reports on the problems faced by the Catholic Church. Difficulty in electing a pope following the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005; The need for reforms within the church; How the church is facing a shortage of priests; Amount of money the church abuse scandals have cost the Catholic Church. INSET: The State of The Catholic Church.

Profiles Andrew Jerrold "Jerry" Perenchio, a boxing promoter turned media mogul who owns and runs Univision Communications Inc. which is the media giant specializing in Hispanic programming. How the non-Spanish speaking talent agent became the head of one of the most valuable media properties; Company which owns two broadcast networks, a cable channel, a radio network and three music labels in the fast growing Hispanic market; How Univision nearly doubled profits in 2003; Perenchio's management style and employee rules; Battles the company has had with advertisers, rivals, unions and Grupo Televisa; Background on Perenchio and how he made his way to the ownership of a media conglomerate. INSETS: Jerry's Growing Turf;Andrew Jerrold Perenchio.

The paper focuses on the economic crisis facing Argentina in 2002. On January 6 2002, Argentina finally let go of its decade-long embrace of the U.S. dollar and devalued the peso, ending one of the world's boldest experiments in economic reengineering. The new government also confirmed that Argentina cannot go on servicing its $141 billion public debt. Both Wall Street and Argentine business leaders are skeptical that President Eduardo Duhalde can even pull off a controlled devaluation. Indeed, in a post-devaluation report, J. P. Morgan predicted that the free-floating peso will be worth a mere 37¢ by year-end. Duhalde is also courting controversy with his treatment of the nation's banks, most of which are foreign-owned. Still, one casualty of Argentina's meltdown might be the Bush administration's plan to push for a Free Trade Area of the Americas by 2005.

Speculates on the political elections in Mexico on July 2, 2000. How the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) could lose the presidency for the first time in 71 years; Contest between presidential candidates Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN) and PRI candidate, Francisco Labastida; Influence of electoral reforms in Mexico.

Reports on the urgency that is evident in Latin America over its war on poverty. Why its huge pool of cheap labor is becoming a liability; Moves that policymakers are making away from blanket subsidies to experimental programs that teach skills to the poor; The alliances that are being formed between businesses; The wide gap that exists between the rich and the poor; Reasons for Latin America's boom-bust business cycles.

Discusses the tendency of Mexico's presidential elections to create economic crises in the country, focusing on the potential of the 2000 elections to create another such crisis. The candidates for 2000; Potential for political violence; Preparations of Mexican companies and investors; Why the outcome of the 2000 election may determine Mexico's economic growth for the next few years.

This article reports on the emergence of Mexico as an industrial power with a sophisticated workforce, five years after the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the U.S. and Canada. Manufactured goods comprise nearly 90 percent of exports. Mexico was protected by NAFTA from both the plunge in petroleum prices and the fallout from the global economic crisis.

This article reports on the business practices of banker Marc Harris. A sophisticated marketer Harris has positioned himself at the intersection of two major trends. The huge popularity of the Internet is allowing aggressive offshore operators to reach a whole new universe of gullible U. S. investors. Sitting in his fifth-floor offices in a Panama City high-rise, Harris, an immaculately groomed 33-year-old ex-American citizen, says that 80% of his "several thousand" clients are Americans or Canadians. Harris claims his firm has $35 million in capital and $1 billion under management in various trusts and investments.

Discusses the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the United States, Canada and Mexico. Increase of American industrial presence in Mexico; Alliances among companies of the three countries; Real test of NAFTA; Business confidence in NAFTA; Creation of jobs for North American workers; Reduction of corporate costs; Export of cars to the south; NAFTA as America's strategic response to the global economy.