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Discussion of the political impact of social media has focused on the power of mass protests to topple governments. In fact, social media's real potential lies in supporting civil society and the public sphere -- which will produce change over years and decades, not weeks or months.

This article discusses social entrepreneurism and a new wave of start-ups that are trying to use market forces to solve social issues.

FIVE centuries before Facebook and the Arab spring, social media helped bring about the ReformationRead on: How Luther went viral, from our Christmas edition

Summary: Do the tools of social media make it possible for protesters to challenge their governments? Malcolm Gladwell argues that there is no evidence that they do; Clay Shirky disagrees.

Managing Editor Jonathan Tepperman interviews Eurasia Group analyst Damien Ma on China's political transition, economic slowdown, and social inequality.

Social media provides huge opportunities, but will bring huge problems

Excellent article in the NYTimes that touches on corporate citizenship.

* Running time: 20 minutes * From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. Description directly from http://www.storyofstuff.com/ web site, from which the animation can be played directly * Rating: Excellent; used in class as an example of a systems perspective; related to "resource management" and "economic integration"

* Released January 2007 * Running time: 56 minutes * The Global Banquet examines the ethical questions at the heart of the globalization debate including how food security and social development are related and how factory farming can lead to degradation of the natural environment.

* Released July 2002 * Running time: 360 minutes * Description: This three-part, six-hour documentary focuses on the history and impact of the new global economy, explaining macroeconomics and their current political and social importance without ever causing a loss of consciousness for the viewer. Segments include the history of economic thought, deregulation, and consequences of globalization. Interviews with several world leaders are featured.