Forums: Is free trade the answer to solving global inequity?

Frequently asked questions about globalization.

Globalization was the economic buzzword of the 1990's. But while globalization contributed to unprecedented levels of wealth in the U.S., the hopes that free trade and multinational corporations would lead the Third World out of poverty were not realized. The richest 20% of the world controls 80% of the world's wealth, and trends are showing the gap between rich and poor countries is only getting wider.

Classical economics would argue that free trade and globalization should be good for all parties involved. But as the U.S. has ridden along in its economic limo, much of the world continues to languish in poverty. This disparity could partly explain the anger that has made the U.S. a target for terrorism. Is there a way to tweak the current model of globalization to create a more even distribution of wealth?

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Robert Fisk on the Latest in Afghanistan Listen

When we last spoke to him a month ago, Robert Fisk asserted that there was no international coalition against terrorism. What did exist was the United States fighting a war against its personal enemies. Fisk has never been one to follow the company line. In his 25 years of covering the Middle East, Robert Fisk has won several major journalistic awards, but few popularity contests among Western leaders.

Tonight, Robert Fisk joins us once again to analyze the campaign in Afghanistan. As U.S. Marines have landed on Afghan soil in pursuit of Osama bin Laden and the Northern Alliance continues to take control of former Taliban strongholds, Fisk says everything may not be as rosy as most Americans see it.

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