Business and Foreign Policy

Foreign Affairs Article

The Real Story Behind Executive Pay

Author: Steven N. Kaplan

Much of the outrage over economic inequality in the United States has centered on the high compensation and lack of accountability that corporate executives supposedly enjoy -- allegedly the result of boards at public companies. The truth, however, is that American CEOs now earn less and get fired more than in the recent past.

See more in Corruption and Bribery, Capital Markets, Corporate Governance

Audio

Effects of Investment Treaties in the Global South

Speaker: Lori Wallach
Presider: Terra Lawson-Remer

Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, discusses investment treaties, their implications for policies to promote financial stability and sustainable use of natural resources, and the flaws of the arbitration system used by investors and nations to settle conflicts, with a focus on the global south.

See more in Economics, Business and Foreign Policy, Emerging Markets, International Finance

Ask CFR Experts

Will “sequestration” affect U.S. education, especially in the STEM fields?

Asked by Mariecor Ruediger

American policymakers have long been concerned about the eroding U.S. advantage in educating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students. With much of the assembly work for lucrative high-technology products having moved to Asia, future U.S. prosperity depends increasingly on innovating new products and techniques—innovation that requires training (or importing) a new generation of scientists and engineers.

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See more in United States, Business and Foreign Policy, Education

Policy Innovation Memorandum Author: Robert A. Pastor

In looking abroad to promote economic growth, Robert Pastor argues the United States need not go further than its two closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Leaders of the three countries can build off of NAFTA to create a more seamless market by negotiating a common external tariff, eliminating restrictions on transportation and services, funding new continental infrastructure, and fostering a sense of community among North Americans.

See more in North America, Business and Foreign Policy, Economic Development

Ask CFR Experts

What will it take for the United States and others to address the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Asked by Lauren Harrison, from Harvard Kennedy School
Author: John Campbell

The exploitation of Congo's vast resources by competing elites and militaries for personal enrichment promotes insecurity and stymies development. Only very strong Western and African public outcry and a change in China's nonintervention approach might open the possibilities for change.

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See more in Democratic Rep. of Congo, Business and Foreign Policy

Article

Gujarat Promises Continued, Accelerated and All-Around Progress

Author: Jagdish N. Bhagwati
The Economic Times

Jagdish Bhagwati argues that growth can reduce poverty and that slow economic growth will hurt social development, which he also argues in his new book with Arvind Panagariya, "India's Tryst with Destiny: Debunking Myths that Undermine Progress and Addressing New Challenges."

See more in India, Business and Foreign Policy, Economic Development, Emerging Markets, Infrastructure, Global Health

Transcript

The Responsibility to Lead

Speaker: Mike Duke
Presider: Daniel L. Doctoroff

Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., discusses the role of business in sustainability, women's economic empowerment, food security, and the global middle class.

This meeting is part of the CEO Speaker Series.

See more in Business and Foreign Policy

Video

The Responsibility to Lead

Speaker: Mike Duke
Presider: Daniel L. Doctoroff

Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., discusses the role of business in sustainability, women's economic empowerment, food security, and the global middle class.

See more in Business and Foreign Policy

Audio

The Responsibility to Lead

Speaker: Mike Duke
Presider: Daniel L. Doctoroff

Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., discusses the role of business in sustainability, women's economic empowerment, food security, and the global middle class.

See more in Business and Foreign Policy

Transcript

The Case for U.S. Multinationals

Speaker: John S. Watson
Presider: Alan S. Murray

Chevron Chairman and CEO John Watson shares his views on how U.S.-based multinational corporations can help expand American influence abroad and be a positive force for progress. Watson also discusses recent global energy trends, including the rise in production of shale gas and other unconventional energy sources, that are being driven by advances in energy technology.

See more in Business and Foreign Policy