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1521. Russia's Revival: Ambitions, Limitations, and Opportunities for the United States

Author:
John W. Parker
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
Independent Russia is approaching the start of its third decade of post-Soviet existence. After the economic chaos of the Boris Yeltsin decade and the recovery and stabilization of the Vladimir Putin decade, Russia's leaders have high ambitions for a return to great power status in the years ahead. Their aspirations are tempered, however, by the realities of Russia's social, economic, and military shortcomings and vulnerabilities, laid painfully bare by the stress test of the recent global financial crisis. Looking ahead, some also calculate that Russia will be increasingly challenged in the Far East by a rising China and in the Middle East by an Iran that aspires to regional hegemony.
Topic:
Cold War, Nuclear Weapons, International Affairs, and Power Politics
Political Geography:
Russia and United States

1522. The Global Puzzle: Order in an Age of Primacy, Power-Shifts and Interdependence

Author:
Graeme P. Herd
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy
Abstract:
How can the US maintain its relative primacy in an age of power-shifts and interdependence? Power-shifts generate multiple peer competitors, who first establish their predominance within their geopolitical neighbourhoods, and then selectively challenge the US for leadership of global strategic agendas. The net strategic effect is the incremental erosion of US relative primacy. By contrast, growing interdependence generates a shared realization that all states are weakened by structural and systemic threats which no one state – even the US – can manage alone. Paradoxically, with regards to US relative primacy, the net strategic effect is the same: to maintain its relative primacy, the US must take the lead in managing structural and systemic strategic challenges interdependence generates; if this management is to be effective, efficient and legitimate then power needs to be shared, “prime player” status is eroded, primacy is lost by design.
Topic:
International Affairs, Political Theory, and Power Politics
Political Geography:
United States

1523. The Politics of International Media Rankings

Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
The Harriman Institute
Abstract:
Participants: Lee Becker (Professor and Director, James. M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research, University of Georgia), Karin Karlekar (Senior Researcher and Managing Editor, Freedom of the Press Index, Freedom House), Anne Nelson (Adjunct Associate Professor, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and former Executive Director, Committee to Protect Journalists) This event is part of the "Human Rights in the Post-Communist World: Strategies and Outcomes " series (Harriman Core Project 2010-2011).
Topic:
Democratization, Science and Technology, International Affairs, and Mass Media
Political Geography:
Georgia

1524. How Empires Emerge

Author:
Morten Skumsrud Andersen
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
In the Assyrian empire, boasting about how terrible and ferocious the Assyrian kings and their armies were in war served to install fear in the to-be-conquered populations (Mann 1986: 232-234). But their relations were not only of fear and awe. One event, as retold in the Bible, describes how the Assyrian army approaches the walls of Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem are on the walls to see and listen. The Assyrian envoy, the Rab-shakeh (a vizier), is negotiating with the He- brew representative, but is asked by his fellow Assyrians not to speak in Hebrew when negotiating. The people on the wall will understand. But that was exactly the purpose. The Assyrians had chosen an envoy that mastered the local language. He 'stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the Great King, the King of Assyria. Thus says the King...Make your peace with me and come out to me; then every one of you will eat of his own vine, and every one of his own fig tree”' (2 Kings 18:31, quoted in Watson 1998: 36). He was reaching out to influence the people, not only talking to the local rulers.
Topic:
Imperialism, International Affairs, and Political Theory

1525. Accountability in the United Nations

Author:
Ole Jacob Sending and Morten Skumsrud Andersen
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
This report presents the key findings from a study of the role and functioning of the Board of Auditors (BoA), the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU). It is based on assessment of central policy documents and research papers as well as in-depth interviews with key representatives from these organizations and other stakeholders. The report analyses the functioning, mandate and perceived effectiveness of each of these three core organizations.
Topic:
International Cooperation, United Nations, International Affairs, and Governance

1526. Transition from Democracy Loss of Quality, Hybridisation and Breakdown of Democracy

Author:
Gero Erdmann
Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Global and Area Studies
Abstract:
The paper points out that there is hardly any research for the reverse transition, the transition from democracy to non-democratic regimes for more than 30 years. For heuristical purposes, it provides basic data of the decline of democracy, which refers to loss of democratic quality, changes from liberal democracy to hybrid and to authoritarian regimes, during the third wave of democratisation (1974-2008). The stocktaking shows that most of the cases of decline refer to the change in and from young democracies established during the third wave, especially after 1989. Loss of democratic quality and hybridization are the most frequent cases of decline, while the breakdown of democracy has been very rare. Young democracies and poorer countries are more prone to decline than the older and richer cases – aside from a few remarkable exceptions. Finally, the overview argues that the research on the decline of democracy can benefit from the richness of the approaches of transitology, but should also avoid its methodological traps and failures, concluding with a number of suggestions for the future research agenda.
Topic:
Democratization, Poverty, International Affairs, and Governance

1527. Journal of Public and International Affairs 2011

Author:
Sarita Vanka and Lynn von Koch-Liebert
Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Woodrow Wilson School Journal of Public and International Affairs
Institution:
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
Abstract:
A December 2010 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 54 percent of Americans are delaying medical care or treatments due to cost, and that 36 percent of Americans living in households with an income below $40,000 are having trouble paying their medical bills (Kaiser Survey 2010, 5). As the unemployment rate lingers in the double digits, these numbers may worsen as families spend down their savings. For workers who do have steady jobs, the portion of employers offering their employees health insurance continues to decline.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
America

1528. US-Korea Relations: Death of Kim Jong Il

Author:
Ellen Kim and Victor D. Cha
Publication Date:
09-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Comparative Connections
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Abstract:
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's state visit to the US was a big event that attested to the strength of the two countries' relationship and the personal ties between Presidents Obama and Lee. The timely passage of the KORUS FTA in the US was the big deliverable for the summit. Final ratification of the FTA in both countries clears one longstanding issue and lays the foundation for greater economic integration and a stronger alliance. Meanwhile, the most shocking news for the final third of the year was the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in late December. His death disrupted US-DPRK bilateral talks as North Korea observed a mourning period for its late leader. The US and South Korea spent the last two weeks of December quietly watching developments in North Korea as the reclusive country accelerated its succession process to swiftly transfer power to the anointed successor, Kim Jong Un.
Topic:
International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, and International Affairs
Political Geography:
United States, South Korea, North Korea, and Korea

1529. National President’s Forum: ‘India 2020’

Author:
Garry Rodan
Publication Date:
08-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
Broadly, Australia’s post-WWII foreign relations with Asia are characterised by four dominant themes, with the focus on India being most recent. From 1954 through to the mid-1990s, Australia’s dealings with Indo-China consumed considerable political energy of policy makers, not least through involvement in the Vietnam War. In the same period, Australian engagement with Southeast Asia was also extensive as many countries in this region secured independence and underwent significant social, political and economic transformations. Australia’s levels of diplomatic engagement and expertise on Southeast Asia were high, most notably in relation to Indonesia. Meanwhile, Australia’s engagement with Northeast Asia has been forged fundamentally by economic opportunities, reinforced by security objectives. Finally, an interest-driven relationship with South Asia has assumed priority since the 1990s as India has adopted a different post-Cold War foreign policy direction.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
India and Australia

1530. Emerging Scholars

Author:
Melissa Conley Tyler
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) was established more than 75 years ago to promote public understanding and interest in international affairs. In recent years, the AIIA has been active in extending its activities to younger members of the community. The AIIA has launched a variety of initiatives to engage young people including young professionals‟ networks, careers fairs, schools events, mentoring programs and the Young Diplomats Program.
Topic:
Diplomacy and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Australia