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931. The Effects of (within and with EU) Regional Integration: Impact on Real Effective Exchange Rate Volatility, Institutional Quality and Growth for MENA Countries

Author:
Iftekhar Hasan and Leonardo Becchetti
Publication Date:
12-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
We analyse two potential effects arising from regional (and with EU) integration—increased quality of institutions (including the quality of financial institutions) and, economic policies and reduced multilateral exchange rate volatility— in a conditional convergence growth framework for MENA countries. To this purpose we outline an ad hoc methodology which implements the traditional bilateral exchange rate measures to test effects of multilateral exchange rate volatility on growth of per capita GDP. Our estimates show that both factors (quality of institutions and reduction of multilateral volatility) significantly and positively affect growth and conditional convergence. We observe that MENA countries are not far from EU and OECD countries in terms of exchange rate volatility, but much below in terms of institutional quality. We finally simulate the potential effects of an improvement in institutional quality in MENA countries on their process of growth and conditional convergence. We conclude arguing that regional integration may be highly beneficial for such countries, mainly because of its effects on institutional quality.
Topic:
Development, Economics, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Europe

932. Regional Histories of Development and Security: Seguridad a la Americana

Author:
Fiona Wilson
Publication Date:
02-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
The argument of this paper is that there is nothing new about the political connection made between development and security. This has characterized US relations with Latin America grounded in the Monroe Doctrine (giving the US right to intervene) that dates back to 1823. The focus here is on the 1960's, the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, when the securitydevelopment complex was put firmly in place through the build-up of the region's armed forces militaries and an aggressive, anti-communist ideology under the aegis of the US military. In this context, the paper revisits a visionary paper written by the Brazilian economist Celso Furtado in 1966 when in exile, giving his (Latin American) analysis of the securitydevelopment complex and need to react against US economic hegemony, an important strand in dependency theory.
Topic:
Security, Development, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
United States, Brazil, Cuba, and Central America

933. Security and Intelligence in US-Mexico Relations

Author:
Luis Herrera-Lasso M.
Publication Date:
12-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
The relationship between Mexico and the United States has been defined by the countries' shared border, their economic interaction (which has been growing since the signing of NAFTA), and by their common geopolitical arena.
Topic:
Security and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
United States and Mexico

934. Andes 2020: A New Strategy for the Challenges of Colombia and the Region

Author:
Daniel W. Christman, John G. Heimann, and Julia E. Sweig
Publication Date:
01-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Council on Foreign Relations
Abstract:
The democracies of the Andean region—Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia—are at risk. The problems that characterize other developing regions—including political instability, economic stagnancy, widening inequality, and social divisions along class, color, ethnic, ideological, and urban-rural fault lines—are all present in the Andes. Most important is the region's physical insecurity, due in some countries to ongoing or resurgent violent conflict, and in every country to the lack of state control over significant territory and to porous borders that enable the easy movement of drugs, arms, and conflict. Equally sobering, expectations for strong democracy and economic prosperity in the Andes remain unrealized. Recognizing its interests in the Andes, the United States over the past two decades has spent billions of dollars and significant manpower to stem the flow of illegal drugs from the region northward; to assist local security forces in the fight against drugs, terror, and insurgency; and to promote free markets, human rights, and democratic consolidation. Yet the region remains on the brink of collapse, an outcome that would pose a serious threat to the U.S. goal of achieving democracy, prosperity, and security in the hemisphere.
Topic:
Democratization, Development, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
United States, Colombia, South America, Latin America, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia

935. Through Economy to Democracy and Security? An Integrated Approach to Stability in South East Europe - 7th Workshop of the Study Group "Regional Stability in South East Europe"

Author:
Frederic Labarre
Publication Date:
01-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Austrian National Defence Academy
Abstract:
In contrast to the Central European transition countries, the economies of South East Europe (SEE) have been facing complex and interrelated political and economic problems. The dissolution of Yugoslavia combined with market losses, war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, sanctions finally culminating in the Kosovo conflict were the main causes of political and economic instability in the whole region. Taking into account these factors, output recovery has been much slower in SEE than in the Central European countries. Measured in purchasing power standards, Croatia is the best performer in the region, with its GDP at about 38% of the EU average. Next comes Bulgaria (32%), whereas the respective values for Serbia and Montenegro and Albania range between 15-17%. Looking at the economic performance in the 1990-2002 period, Croatia and Romania reached almost 94% of their pre-transitional level in 2002, followed by Bulgaria and Macedonia (about 88% each). Serbia and Montenegro, the worst-affected, reached only about half of what it was in 1990. The cumulative output decline there was one of the largest among all the Central and East European countries.
Topic:
NATO, Diplomacy, Economics, Political Economy, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Europe, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Balkans, and Romania

936. Security Sector Governance in Southern Caucasus – Challenges and Visions - Regional Stability in Southern Caucasus Security Sector Reform

Author:
Gustav E. Gustenau and Anja H. Ebnöther
Publication Date:
02-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Austrian National Defence Academy
Abstract:
The present study was conceptually embedded in the Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes (PfP C). It is the outcome of a close cooperation between the PfP C Track on "Security Sector Reform" and the "Regional Stability Track". It is also part of the cooperation agreement between DCAF and the National Defence Academy.
Topic:
Security, NATO, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Balkans

937. Decision Time: Water Diversion Policy in the Great Lakes Basin

Author:
Ralph Pentland and Jim Olson
Publication Date:
09-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
Decision Time:Water Diversion Policy in the Great Lakes is the first publication in our One Issue,Two Voices series. Using expertise from both sides of the Canada–U.S. border, this series is our contribution to dialogue on policy issues relevant to the bilateral relationship. In this first paper, the issue is “water,” specifically the developing policy on diversions from the Great Lakes. Our two authors are leading experts on the Great Lakes, who have willingly entered the debate to share their informed opinions.
Topic:
International Relations, Regional Cooperation, and Treaties and Agreements
Political Geography:
North America

938. Global Best Practices: Constitutional Courts, Judicial Independance and the Rule of Law

Author:
Sandra Elena and Procop Buruiana
Publication Date:
04-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
This paper is a cursory survey of the global landscape of Constitutional Courts and Tribunals with constitutional review powers from the perspective of international, regional and national principles on judicial independence and accountability, integrity and democratic development. In many transition and developing countries, academics, legal practitioners, human rights groups and others believe that this relatively new democratic institution has played a positive role in promoting a Rule of Law culture. Clearly, this is a potentially strong democratic institution that needs more attention and support from donors, civil society and national government.
Topic:
International Relations, Civil Society, International Law, and Regional Cooperation

939. Global Best Practices: Income and Asset Disclosure Requirement for Judges: Lessons Learned from Eastern Europe and Latin America

Author:
Keith Henderson, Sandra Elena, and Procop Buruiana
Publication Date:
04-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
In recent years, countries around the world have signed on to various governmental and non- governmental international and regional instruments designed to fight corruption at all levels of the State. Income and asset disclosure laws and policies have emerged as important mechanisms to promote probity and accountability in the fight against corruption. While these requirements were first imposed on the executive branch, they now are accepted as applying to members of the legislative and judicial branches as well. Income and asset disclosure, if properly designed and effectively applied, can also be an invaluable tool to strengthen judicial accountability, judicial independence and public trust in the judiciary and the Rule of Law. This paper provides a comparative overview of financial transparency for judges by testing the legal framework and practice in six Eastern European and Latin American countries against a set of core international best practices that have recently emerged.
Topic:
International Relations and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe, South America, and Latin America

940. Regional Best Practices: Enforcement of Court Judgements: Lessons Learned from Latin America

Author:
Keith Henderson, Sandra Elena, Violaine Autheman, and Angana Shah
Publication Date:
04-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
Only recently has a general global consensus emerged among development specialists that the successful, fair and effective enforcement of court judgments, both those against private parties in commercial transactions as well as those against State agencies or officials, is of critical importance to developing a Rule of Law culture and judicial independence. There is also a growing body of international jurisprudence that requires countries, under their international and regional human rights treaty obligations, as well as their own constitution, to enforce court judgments fairly and effectively and to support the independence of the judiciary. Likewise, court decisions in various countries are also beginning to articulate and enforce these closely related legal rights.
Topic:
International Relations, International Law, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
South America and Latin America