Globalization: a theoretical reflection
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and situate globalization within the context of different theoretical perspectives, with a view to developing a theoretical framework for understanding and interpreting this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approach – In the light of historical and empirical evidence, this paper uses the idea of parallax to explore, synthesize and interpret globalization. Evidence is marshalled in order to enable comparative assessments on the merits of the globalized system to take place.Findings – A materialist approach is identified as appropriate for aiding and deepening our understanding of the processes at work. It best captures the complexities and contradictions in the global economy.Originality/value – This paper develops a critique that locates globalization within the process of accumulation and teases out its attendant crises and efforts to restore profitability. The materialist approach developed here may be successfully applied in a holistic manner.
Migration as a livelihood strategy in Ethiopia: fallacy or reality?

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of migration on the livelihoods of Ethiopians. It is widely acclaimed that migration has positive effects on livelihoods. This paper investigates whether this claim is a fallacy or a reality. Can migration be conceptualized as a strategy for livelihood enhancement? Although Ethiopia has a large number of migrants both internally and externally, this paper focuses on the impact of external migration on the livelihoods of Ethiopian migrants and their families.


Design/methodology/approach
Using primary data, the paper attempts to establish whether migration enhances livelihoods. Qualitative data are used. Primary data were collected and analyzed using SurveyMonkey. SurveyMonkey is an internet-based software that has a facility for interview questions and it analyses data automatically on submission of responses. The survey achieved a response rate of 52 percent (218 out of 420). A follow-up survey, done between March 20 and April 16, 2018 to validate the online responses, involved 12 respondents.


Findings
Results show that migration is important in the sustenance of livelihoods. Both pecuniary and non-pecuniary benefits have been realised. In addition, migration also benefits development at home.


Practical implications
The Ethiopian Government should develop policy options that promote the inflow of remittances for livelihood enhancement.


Originality/value
The paper uses SurveyMonkey to gather data from a number of respondents (crowdsourcing data collection). The SurveyMonkey made possible a crowd data gathering process.

Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis
As global temperatures rise and polar bears begin to drown in the melting artic ice, a growing chorus of voices is calling on governments to act now whilst there is still a small chance of saving the planet. Yet the harsh reality ignored by pundits and policy makers is that capitalism stands as the most intractable obstacle in the way of the changes that could avert ecological devastation. This timely, well-grounded analysis reveals an inconvenient truth - that there needs to be a choice made between saving capitalism and saving the environment.