World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

The violence of Boko Haram has led to a massive displacement of Nigerians as they flee toward safety.  The International Displacement Monitoring Centre has released a report detailing the significance of the movement which has placed a tremendous burden on Nigeria’s infrastructure.  As many as 3 million Nigerians have fled internal violence, at least 250,000 directly from Boko Haram activities.  It is the largest number of internally displaced people in Africa, and the third largest population after Syria and Colombia.  Unfortunately, the world has not moved to help Nigeria deal with this incredible burden.

The recent European Parliament elections showed a dramatic increase in the popularity of what many consider to be right-wing parties.  The shift reflects a growing disenchantment with democracy, with poor economic conditions, and a growing nationalism that particularly targets immigrants.  One of the most insidious undertones in the move, however, is the growing evidence of anti-Semitism in the right-wing parties.  Needless to say, the change frightens many who care deeply about fundamental human rights.

The European Central Bank brought into a strange new economic world: the world of negative interest rates, where depositors pay banks to store their money.  The logic behind the move is to induce people to spend, rather than save, money in order to stimulate demand and increase economic growth.  I have serious doubts about the logic of the move, but we shall see.