Tag Archives: commodity-series
Ahead of Us: A Russian Spring or a Russian Winter?
Protesting against political and economic injustices, people around the world are finding the courage to speak out against corrupt regimes and powerful multinationals. First there was the Arab Spring, the Occupy Wall Street movement followed soon thereafter. Now, Russia is …
Cocoa: A Hot Commodity with a Cold History
As Kraft bids on a hostile take-over of Cadbury, the chocolate world becomes even smaller and more concentrated then before. Fueling civil wars, spurring child trafficking and child labor, and destroying rain forests, cocoa has a spotted history that unfortunately …
Case Study: Soy Beans’ Impact on the World
Introduction Whether sprayed in pesticides, traded in futures markets, processed into biofuels, added into thousands of industrial products, or eaten as tofu, edamame, or animal feed, the soybean is one of the most ubiquitous commodities worldwide. Globalization’s impact on the …
Cup of Joe: Globalization and Coffee
Introduction From the Colombian cherry picker to the Italian espresso shop owner to the Starbucks wi-fi user, globalization impacts all aspects of the coffee supply chain. Harvested in 80 countries, though consumed in nearly every country world-wide, coffee is the …
Bling Bling: Gold and Globalization
Reaching a 28-year high, gold is hot again, at least for the time being. Whether in jewelry or watches or as currency, gold has always served as a valued commodity worldwide. Its value has increased and decreased based on supply …
High Oil Prices, Reversing Globalization?
The Impact of Globalized Wheat
The price of wheat reached historic highs in 2007 and is continuing to increase in early 2008. Farmers and wheat traders are making lots of money. These traders are investing in wheat exchanges and other newly developed equities for wheat and …