Democracy depends on the time, energy, and engagement of ordinary people. But it remains quite difficult to motivate average citizens even to vote, much less to engage in the more intensive forms of political activism needed to counteract powerful forces that work against rule by the people. Despite the struggles inherent in political activism, does being politically active brings its own rewards in terms of happiness and life satisfaction? Such a relationship seemed plausible to us, given past studies illustrating the well-being benefits of volunteering and of having pro-social attitudes and values.

por Danilo Valladares Fuente: IPS GUATEMALA, feb (IPS) – “Trabajo en la calle desde niña. Mis padres no me pusieron a estudiar y así es muy difícil conseguir un empleo”, contó Carol Orozco, una vendedora ambulante de 31 años de Guatemala, en una historia repetida en América Central. Orozco dijo a IPS que ahora debe rebuscárselas porque “tengo [...]

Leer también ONU denuncia rezago de indígenas en América Latina abajo Fuente: IPS por Mario Osava RÍO DE JANEIRO, 14 ene (IPS) – “Nunca fuimos pobres, los colonizadores nos llevaron a esta situación”, afirmó el líder aborigen Marcos Terena este jueves en esta ciudad brasileña, en el marco de una de las presentaciones del informe de la ONU [...]

Source: t r u t h o u t by Rady Ananda January 8, 2010 In what is being described as the first ever and most comprehensive study of the effects of genetically modified foods on mammalian health, researchers have linked organ damage with consumption of Monsanto’s GM maize. All three varieties of GM corn – Mon 810, Mon [...]

Source: t r u t h o u t by Yana Kunichoff December 17, 2009 According to a new government report, more than 50 percent of the Department of Defense workforces are military contractors and the Obama administration’s troop surge in Afghanistan is set to only increase these numbers. The report, prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the [...]

Fuente: IPS por Daniela Estrada COPENHAGUE, 17 dic (Tierramérica) – América Latina debería aprovechar el tiempo para buscar un nuevo modelo de producción, consumo y distribución adaptado al cambio climático. Pero sin un acuerdo mundial para reducir las emisiones contaminantes, para 2100 podría perder casi 137 por ciento de su producto interno bruto. Esa es la conclusión del [...]

by Shamus Cooke October 19, 2009 Two recent studies have shocked the world in regard to global warming.  A phenomenon that was to happen “possibly in our lifetime” has evolved into a threat capable of transforming the world in ten years time. A recent, extensive study of the northern polar ice caps released by climate expert Professor Peter [...]

With the world’s oceans absorbing six million tonnes of carbon a day, a leading oceanographer warns of eco disaster by Robin McKie October 4, 2009 Carbon-dioxide emissions are turning the waters of the Arctic Ocean into acid at an unprecedented rate, scientists have discovered. Research carried out in the archipelago of Svalbard has shown in many regions around [...]

Or Are We All Just Getting a Lot More Gullible? by Barbara Ehrenreich October 13, 2009 Feminism made women miserable. This, anyway, seems to be the most popular takeaway from “The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness,” a recent study by Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers which purports to show that women have become steadily unhappier since 1972. Maureen [...]

por Jim Lobe WASHINGTON, 12 oct (IPS) – Los indígenas, afrodescendientes y mujeres de América Latina perciben salarios mucho menores que los hombres blancos de similar edad y nivel educativo, según el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID). El informe “Nuevo siglo, viejas disparidades: brechas de salarios por género y etnicidad en América Latina“, presentado este lunes en [...]