Iain Ferguson joined openDemocracy as a commissioning editor for the Money and Work theme in October 2002, a year later going part-time and moving within the editorial team to commercial and partnerships. This allowed him to study part-time for a Masters degree in politics at the London School of Economics. Iain left openDemocracy at the end of October 2005 to work for ACTED, a development NGO, in Central Asia.

Recent articles

“The most illuminating account of the Northern Ireland conflict.”

In the age of globalisation, companies are often associated with scandal (Enron), litigation (Microsoft), or overweening power (Wal-Mart). But in the wider historical perspective, the institution is both socially more transforming and politically less powerful than it often appears.

What are the key events in the rise of modern corporations? Why do these institutions matter? Are they more powerful now than before, better behaved or worse? openDemocracy's corporate timeline explores the long, complex and controversial history of this engine of contemporary capitalism.

As 'no global' activists meet in Italy, Globolog says remember the six tonne elephant lurking in the corner