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671. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Future Role in Energy Security

Author:
Thierry Legendre
Publication Date:
09-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
The Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations
Institution:
School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University
Abstract:
Energy security is a broad and evolving concept. In the seventies, it was primarily linked to enhancing conservation and developing political strategies to secure guaranteed Western energy supplies in the Middle East. Today the term has widened to include risks such as underinvestment in infrastructure, which can lead to massive power outages, and poorly designed markets, as well as disruption to energy supplies due to natural disasters, accidents, and international terrorism. Unlike thirty years ago, there is a much greater number of suppliers and consumers in play on all five continents, whose interests must be balanced. The issue has become truly globalized. With the North Atlantic Treaty Oraganization’s (NATO) November 2006 summit in Riga behind us, there is no question as to whether or not energy security is a relevant topic for NATO. Indeed, during the Riga summit, the NATO heads of state all agreed that energy security was an issue of critical importance that NATO should address.
Topic:
NATO, Infrastructure, and Energy Security
Political Geography:
Europe and North America

672. Reducing Global Poverty: Encouraging Private Investment in Infrastructure

Author:
Research and Policy Committee of the Committee for Economic Development
Publication Date:
07-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Conference Board
Abstract:
This paper builds on some of the findings and recommendations of the 2002 CED policy statement, A Shared Future: Reducing Global Poverty, which broadly examined the phenomenon known as globalization and offered a blueprint for how best to harness economic integration and political cooperation between developed and developing countries towards enhancing economic growth and combating global poverty. Encouraging Private Investment in Infrastructure evaluates various options for public-private partnerships and provides brief analyses of several successful projects in order to identify best practices.
Topic:
Globalization, Poverty, Infrastructure, and Investment
Political Geography:
Global Focus

673. Modeling Amazon Deforestation for Policy Purposes

Author:
Clive W. J. Granger and Lykke E. Andersen
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for Advanced Development Studies (INESAD)
Abstract:
Brazil has long ago removed most of the perverse government incentives that stimulated massive deforestation in the Amazon in the 70s and 80s, but one highly controversial policy remains: Road building. While data is now abundantly available due to the constant satellite surveillance of the Amazon, the analytical methods typically used to analyze the impact of roads on natural vegetation cover are methodologically weak and not very helpful to guide public policy. This paper discusses the respective weaknesses of typical GIS analysis and typical municipality level regression analysis, and shows what would be needed to construct an ideal model of deforestation processes. It also presents an alternative approach that is much less demanding in terms of modeling and estimation and more useful for policy makers as well.
Topic:
Environment, Infrastructure, Econometrics, and Deforestation
Political Geography:
Brazil and Amazon Basin

674. Putting the Cart Before the Horse? Privatisation and Economic Reform in Afghanistan

Author:
Anna Paterson, James Blewett, and Asif Karimi
Publication Date:
11-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
Abstract:
This briefing paper holds that before embarking on the privatisation of enterprises that are not doing much harm in fiscal terms, the government should implement structural reforms to ensure adequate investment legislation, improved security and infrastructure and streamlined and strengthened regulation
Topic:
Security, Privatization, Infrastructure, Governance, and Reform
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Middle East

675. Beyond the Mountains: The Unfinished Business of Haiti

Publication Date:
07-2004
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
In early 2004, the 200th anniversary of Haiti's independence, violence once again burst into flame as rebel soldiers overran much of the country and forced President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resign. The country the soldiers fought over is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, one of the poorest anywhere. Its infrastructure—roads, electricity, water, sanitation—is deteriorating, almost to the point of nonexistence. The schools cannot make a dent in the illiteracy rate. The health care system cannot stop the spread of preventable diseases. The months of political violence, following years of government repression, have made living conditions worse—at least in the short term. The international community, which reduced its presence in Haiti several years ago in response to the corruption and mismanagement of the government, must now return to help Haiti recover, restore order and stability, and complete the job of establishing truly democratic values and institutions. The few bright spots in the chaos and dysfunction that have overwhelmed Haiti are a small number of successful civic organizations that desperately need funding to survive and expand. FOKAL, the Soros foundation in Haiti, is a leading force among these grassroots groups. FOKAL stands for the Fondasyon Konesans Ak Libète in Creole (in French, the Fondation Connaissance & Liberté). Its programs improve conditions for young people and rural communities, instilling optimism and hope and a commitment to work for the common good. Through civic organizations such as the ones described in this report, Haitians are tackling a mountain range of problems. A strong civil society offers the only lasting solution to political repression and violence. This report tells the story of FOKAL and some of the programs that deserve support because they work in a country where so much doesn't. It is a journey through the unfinished business of Haiti.
Topic:
Political Violence, Civil Society, Development, Infrastructure, and Repression
Political Geography:
Haiti