Global Affairs

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The debate over the interplay (or apparent conflict) between values and capitalism is one with both theoretical and practical applications. It raises questions of whether maximizing value in the marketplace is inherently immoral, or whether profit-driven international development dilutes the true purpose of development work.

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"You are the first American group to ever visit our community." Simon's words sent chills through the missions team that had ventured to his remote Kenyan village. It was a risk to come to such an isolated place, but its undiscovered magnetism was also its allure. Their arrival was a momentous step in a long journey.

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On November 12, in a speech at Georgetown University, U2's Bono (quote #1) discussed the role of enterprise and capitalism in alleviating global poverty. For a rock star whose travels to impoverished nations and advocacy of foreign aid are well known, this recent focus on commerce has surprised many observers—and apparently the man himself.

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There are fireworks going off in Mexico, and I am not referring to pretty pops of light in the sky. The explosive issue of labor market reform has caught fire on Mexico's national stage and will bring in the New Year with a blaze.

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Our first guest this week on "The RJ Moeller Show" is Jenny Yang from World Relief. Jenny Yang is the director of advocacy and policy for the Refugee and Immigration program at World Relief. In this position, Jenny works with members of Congress, their staffers, and the administration to improve refugee and immigration policy.

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University students in Mexico are raising questions that portend changes to come in their country: "If the government is so great, why don't we have security, an efficient court system or reliable roads? Why do we face such trouble and instability?"

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Responding to allegations that Africa is submitting to a new era of colonialism, economist and bestselling author Dambisa Moyo describes a differing scene. In a recent article in the New York Times, Moyo enthusiastically observes that the African economy is reaching for new horizons—and China is helping it get there.

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Illegal immigration shows "how bad laws make socially advantageous acts illegal, and therefore, leads to an undermining of morality in general," says Milton Friedman at the end of this video...

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At first glance, the article reads like a first-hand account of a post-disaster country: "Streets once devoid of commerce in towns like this and in Havana are gradually coming to life…" The scene Victoria Burnett described in her New York Times article was not of a country recovering from a natural disaster or civil war.

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The social media Richter scale registered record-breaking tremors when uber-activists, Invisible Children, released the Stop Kony 2012 video. Notching more views than there are people in Germany, the video is now etched in viral media lore.

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While the music industry fiddled in Hollywood last night at the 54th Grammy’s, the birthplace of Western civilization—Greece—burned. Literally. After learning of yet another series of unavoidable budget cuts passing their parliament, the over-unionized descendants of Aristotle, Plato and the austere Spartan warrior took to the streets in order to exact revenge on the very leaders they themselves have voted for over the past half-century.

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Relevant Magazine recently published an article by author Julie Clawson that attempts to “debunk some common objections to shopping ethically.” As for what is “ethical” or “fair,” the article leaves that mostly up to our trusty millennial imaginations, but by reading between the lines, one can gain a pretty good sense of where her foundation lies—or doesn’t.

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Over at GOOD, Tate Watkins writes about Oliberté Footwear, a company that manufactures premium shoes in Africa.

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No, you're not really buying a Christmas heifer. I realize this might be a Santa’s-not-real moment, but don’t rush to label me a charitable Scrooge. I love Christmas and the wreath of generosity that surrounds the season.

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As an owner of two American Apparel tees, I can affirm these shirts fit well. We know they fashion comfortable garb, but we also know their clothes are "crafted with pride in the USA." Out of the limelight, a financial services company lurks in mystery.

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A couple of years ago a book called When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor. . .and Yourself gained a good deal of traction among Christian do-gooders.

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In response to Christ’s calling in Matthew 25 to care for “the least of these,” the Church often responds by raising money and donating materials to impoverished communities. Though the intentions are good, the unintended consequences are often unnoticed.

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The battle rages on. Across the globe, forces for good assault a great evil–human traffickers. Ruthless, shifty and complex, our formidable opponent lurks in red-light districts and shantytowns.

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Tourists flock to Lancaster County to experience the magic of this agrarian hotspot. Lumbering dairy cows, hard-working Amish farmers and roadside produce vendors breathe life into Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

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Over the last decade, the modern foreign aid movement has grown with incredible momentum. In the name of global charity, various fads have been started, offshoot products have been launched, and taxpayer dollars have been transferred.

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Matthew Parris, an award-winning columnist with a prominent British newspaper, wrote this in a recent column: Travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: One I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood.

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Picture this scene: You are dining at a new restaurant. The server hastily distributes the plates and departs with a sarcastic, “Enjoy!” You sample each portion of the meal, but with every passing bite, your disappointment swells.

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Hans Rosling’s lecture is a beautiful testament to the benefits of modernization.

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Originally posted at Smorgasblurb.

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