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1. Housing Policy in the U.S.: The Evolving Sub-national Role

Author:
Robert M. Buckley and Alex F. Schwartz
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
This paper provides a general overview of U.S. housing policy, with emphasis on state and local programs. Despite the focus on local programs we also discuss the broader national policy environment. This broader context is necessary because national policies play a crucial role in shaping the country's housing markets. We briefly trace out some of the key features of the housing market, highlighting tenure distributions, housing conditions and costs. Particular emphasis is given to the role of increasing housing costs and the housing opportunities of the poor. The paper also describes: (1) the nation's housing finance and tax systems, focusing on the different ways the government uses the tax code to subsidize homeowners and renters; and (2) state and local government programs, often implemented in the close collaboration of nonprofit organizations. A final section provides a brief overview of the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. housing policy and the evolving role of sub-national governments.
Topic:
Economics, Markets, Global Recession, and Financial Crisis
Political Geography:
United States

2. The Human Right to Development and Global Partnerships

Author:
Sakiko Fukuda- Parr
Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
This statement discusses the role of economic theory and global economic policies in articulating the Right to Development (RtD). RtD is unique in focusing attention to the extra-territorial aspects of rights; where state action impinges on the rights of people outside its national boundaries, and where people have claims on states other than their own. In particular, the statement argues for the importance of global economic policy, focusing on four main points: (i) the development economics basis for the RtD and for defining obligations under this right; (ii) economic policies and other public policies as the principal means for implementing the RtD ;(iii) a priority agenda for collective international responsibilities; and (iv) mobilizing civil society to move the RtD forward.
Topic:
Civil Society, Development, Economics, Globalization, and Human Rights

3. Constrained Autonomy and the Developmental State: From Successful Developmentalism to Catastrophic Failure

Author:
Jamee K. Moudud
Publication Date:
10-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
As many authors have argued, the state has played a central role in capitalist development, both in developing and developed countries. The question is why have some states been more successful than others in promoting economic development? In this paper I propose a theoretical agenda to investigate the factors that have made some states more successful than others. I suggest that a complex set of historical, sociological, and political factors shape state formation and a country\'s international competitiveness; further international competitiveness itself shapes the ability to foster economic development. I argue that these factors determine the ways in which states and economies co - evolve. Additionally, since countries are embedded in a global system, an investigation of this co - evolution requires a very different theory of industrial organization and thus of international competition. Thus the state confronts a constrained autonomy in being able to obtain taxation revenue and foreign exchange so as to finance important developmental needs. Finally I conclude that the rationale for “bringing the state back in” has to not only critically examine the notion of “state failure” but also has to reject the notion of “market failure”.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Markets, and Foreign Direct Investment

4. A Pragmatic Ideal for Global Economic Governance Reform

Author:
Barry Herman
Publication Date:
07-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
This paper asks how the world of sovereign countries should arrange itself to address global and international economic, financial, social or environmental problems. The current system of institutions and arrangements, informally led by the Group of 20, as convoked by the United States, is hardly ideal. The paper proposes a “pragmatic” alternative with multiple checks and balances, but able to reach timely and effective decisions on the full range of international policy issues. The paper concludes noting that dissatisfaction with current arrangements has reopened intergovernmental debate; it is not the same as undertaking reform, but it is a start.
Topic:
Economics, Globalization, International Organization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
United States

5. Discontent with the World Bank's Excursion into Economic Geography: Lions and Butterflies Once More?

Author:
Robert M. Buckley and Thomas D. Buckley
Publication Date:
04-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
The World Bank's 2009 Reshaping Economic Geography has had overwhelmingly negative reviews by geographers. Why are they so unhappy with the Bank's excursion into economic geography? One answer is that they have some valid criticisms. Another explanation, one that we think is important, is that some of their criticisms are not valid. We think that this problem arises because of cross disciplinary problems, filled with ―venom and incomprehension. We attempt to put what we think are misunderstandings to the side to clarify the most effective criticisms. If this can be done, perhaps the Bank's foray into economic geography could be more usefully engaged by geographers and others.
Topic:
Economics, International Organization, and World Bank

6. Security of Property Rights for Whom?

Author:
Terra Lawson-Remer
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
Although protecting the entitlements of some requires preventing others from claiming and controlling those same resources, much recent research regarding property rights and economic development treats the level of property rights security in a country as homogeneous. Widely used cross-national indices of institutional quality—initially designed to assess the property security of foreign investors—fail to consider marginalized groups. Using a new indicator that measures the property insecurity of ethno-cultural minorities, this article finds significant variation in the risk of expropriation faced by different groups in the same country. Findings also show that although secure property rights for elites ma y be positively related to development, aggregate long-run growth occurs in the presence of significant property insecurity for marginalized minorities.
Topic:
Security, Development, Economics, Human Rights, and Social Stratification

7. The City in the Global Crisis: Understanding Impacts and Strengthening the Performance of Stimulus Packages

Author:
hael Cohen
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
Though countries generate more than half their GDP in urban-based economic activities, the G-20 discussions in London and Pittsburgh devoted no recorded attention to urban infrastructure. Policy makers and designers of stimulus packages ignored two fundamental aspects of this crisis: Where the greatest impact of economic contraction are and where demand can be stimulated to generate the largest possible multipliers. This paper argues that while industrialized countries take urban and spatial dimensions of their economies for granted, this perspective is counterproductive for Latin American countries that are the most urbanized among developing countries.
Topic:
Economics, Globalization, Industrial Policy, and Financial Crisis
Political Geography:
Latin America

8. From Master Plans to Stimulus Packages: Reflections on Urban Assistance to Rich and Poor Countries

Author:
Michael Cohen
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
The intensive efforts of the World Bank and other urban lending programs focused on the immediate physical needs of housing and urban services rather than considering cities as sites of value creation, income generation, or productivity—an urbanization model of high urban population growth shaped this focus. Such urban planning and policy need to be considered in terms of its intention and how objectives implicitly and explicitly address the issue of context. Moreover, lessons of policy and program assistance practice should be reflected in urban lending program design; their evolution and use suggest the need for more attention to context.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Poverty, and Third World

9. Why the Code of Conduct for Resolving Sovereign Debt Crises Falls Short

Author:
Barry Herman
Publication Date:
03-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
The Institute of International Finance, a bankers group, has promoted its “Principles for Stable Capital Flows and Fair Debt Restructuring” as a code of conduct for debtor governments and their private creditors to avoid and if necessary resolve sovereign defaults. Although drafted with Brazil, Korea, Mexico and Turkey, I argue this purely voluntary code is excessively creditor friendly. Instead, a more balanced code should be developed in a broad, open and politically legitimate forum, and be coupled with an international disciplining mechanism that pushes creditors and debtor to a negotiated outcome under the code. A suggested approach concludes the paper.
Topic:
Development, Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Foreign Aid
Political Geography:
Turkey, Brazil, Korea, and Mexico

10. The Economics of CO2 Mitigation: the Stern Review and its critics

Author:
Marilyn Power
Publication Date:
01-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs
Abstract:
The debate surrounding Global Warming and potential policies to curve its consequences has been ever-growing in noise and status. Sir Nicholas Stern's Review on the Economics of Climate Change in 2006 stimulated more debate and research with its conclusions of immediate policy action based on cost-benefit techniques; its critics coming from both the mainstream and ecological economic backgrounds. This paper will examine Stern Review's use of discounting in environmental cost-benefit analysis, its critiques, and possible alternatives to analyze the economic understandings of global warming. And, in the end, it will tie together the above economics to the political atmosphere of today.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economics, Globalization, and Political Economy