Globalization and digitalization
The 1990s saw a significant acceleration in the globalization of the world economy: trade barriers and tariffs were dismantled, which strengthened and accelerated international trade. At the same time, more and more companies outsourced their production from Europe and the US to countries in the Global South, primarily China.
Digital technologies have further accelerated globalization in the 21st century. The internet and smartphones have revolutionized the global exchange of information and completely changed our everyday lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as the next stage in this digital transformation process.
However, digitalization also brings challenges such as economic inequality, cultural homogenization, and environmental problems, which fuel the debate about the disadvantages of globalization.
The status quo in transition: East Jerusalem during Ramadan 2026
The German version can be found here, During Ramadan, East Jerusalem regularly makes headlines. These reports focus less on the city’s colorful Ramadan traditions or the general religious significance of the Temple Mount (Arabic: Haram al-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary / Hebrew: Har ha-Bayit, Mount of the House or Temple), which is considered a particularly holy […]
Emerging Adulthood: Why Your Life Is Changing So Much Right Now—and Why That’s Normal
Click here for the German version. The transition to adulthood is a special time. Between the ages of about 18 and 25, a lot often changes: school or college ends, the first job begins, you might move out on your own, and relationships change or become more serious. Many young people find these years exciting—but […]
Greek strawberries “made in Bangladesh”
Strawberries are now also available to buy in winter. They thrive in Nea Manolada, Greece, but there are downsides to growing them. Scientist Johannes Jungfleisch has investigated the conditions of South Asian workers.
Unmet expectations
Click here for the German version. A Mid-Term Assessment of the First Twenty-Five Years of the 21st Century Years, decades, and centuries are constructs that historical change does not adhere to. Nevertheless, anniversaries invite us to take stock. After 25, 50, or 75 years, we look back, before the grand celebrations begin after 100 years. […]
Imperialist violence in the “backyard”: Background and implications of the US military intervention in Venezuela
The military strikes against Venezuela on January 3, 2026, which culminated in the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, mark the culmination of the US’s confrontational policy toward the South American country (see below for background information on Venezuela). The attack on Venezuela was – and here there is agreement among […]
On the Run – The Story of Mouhamed
The German version is here. On a typical weekday, life in the city is bustling. Many different people are busy going about their daily routines. Some would like to find work, but they can’t—they are forced to wait. Mouhamed is one of them. He was born in Cameroon in 1994 and studied political science. After […]