Use the globalEDGE^TM site to complete the following exercises:

1. The definition of words and political ideas can have different meanings in different contexts worldwide. In fact, the Freedom in the World survey evaluates the state of political rights and civil liberties around the world. Provide a description of this survey and a ranking (in terms of "freedom") of the leaders and laggards of the world. What factors are taken into consideration in this survey?



2. One way that experts analyze conditions in different emerging markets and cultures in transition is through the use of economic indictors. Market Potential Indicators (MPI) is an indexing study conducted by the Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research (MSU-CIBER) to compare emerging markets on a variety of dimensions. Provide a description of the indicators used in the indexing procedure. Which of the indicators would have greater importance for a company that markets laptop computers? Considering the MPI rankings, which developing countries would you advise this company to enter first?