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Begin New Search Topic International Trade and Finance Publication Year within 25 Years

1301. Postcrisis Risks

Author:
John H. Makin
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Abstract:
The only thing scarier than the slide of the dollar, which has dropped by 15 percent since March, would be an attempt by the Federal Reserve to stop it. Such an attempt would show that we have learned nothing from the Bank of Japan's disastrous premature exit from a zero-interest policy in August 2000. Closer to home, it would resemble the Fed's premature move to mop up “excess” reserves by doubling reserve requirements in three steps between August 1936 and May 1937, which was followed by the third-worst recession of the twentieth century, from May 1937 to June 1938.
Topic:
Economics, International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, Monetary Policy, and Financial Crisis
Political Geography:
United States and Japan

1302. Africa's Private Sector: What's Wrong with the Business Environment and What to Do About It

Author:
Vijaya Ramachandran, Manju Kedia Shah, and Alan Gelb
Publication Date:
03-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development
Abstract:
Why has the private sector failed to thrive in much of sub-Saharan Africa? Drawing on a unique set of enterprise surveys, we identify inadequate infrastructure (especially unreliable electricity and poor quality roads) and burdensome regulations as the biggest obstacles to doing business. We find as well that the private sector in many countries is dominated by ethnic minorities, which inhibits competition and lowers demand for a better business environment. Solutions include investing in infrastructure, providing risk guarantees, and reforming regulations to lower the cost of doing business, as well as increasing access to education for would-be entrepreneurs.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Emerging Markets, Globalization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Africa

1303. The G20 and Green Protectionism: Will We Pay the Price at Copenhagen?

Author:
John Whalley and Simon J. Evenett
Publication Date:
04-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation
Abstract:
This year was supposed to see breakthroughs in global environmental policy making, and that may still come to pass. However, the severity of the global economic downturn is intensifying protectionist pressures and fears of green protectionism.
Topic:
Climate Change, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, and Financial Crisis

1304. From London to L'Aquila: Building a Bridge between the G20 and the G8

Author:
Paola Subacchi and Eric Helleiner
Publication Date:
06-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation
Abstract:
From many perspectives, the London Summit of the G20 leaders at the beginning of April 2009 was a success – and a hard act to follow. The discussion was framed around crisis resolution and the strengthening of the international financial architecture. Beyond any concrete achievement, the success of the London Summit is that it morphed into an ongoing process with a rolling agenda, rather than remaining a one-off event. Undoubtedly the Italian Presidency of the G8 has a hard task, being caught between the success of London and the decreasing relevance of the G8. But there is also scope for building a meaningful bridge between London and the G8 meeting in L'Aquila in July 2009, and continuing and strengthening the economic governance reform process. There is an urgent need to continue to push for progress on a number of key items that were not adequately addressed at the London Summit and where progress can be made in L'Aquila – fostering clarity for the G20 agenda for the next meeting in Pittsburgh in September 2009. With regard, in particular, to the reform of the International Monetary Fund, the Italian Presidency should use its G8 chair to initiate a dialogue on reform of the European representation, taking advantage of having all the key players gathered together in L'Aquila.
Topic:
Economics, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, and International Monetary Fund
Political Geography:
Europe, London, and Italy

1305. Participation of Small Developing Economies in the Governance of the Multilateral Trading System

Author:
Richard L. Bernal
Publication Date:
12-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation
Abstract:
Given their vulnerability to external economic events, small developing countries (SDEs) are particularly cognizant of their place in the world economy. Moreover, given their reliance on international trade for prosperity, SDEs are also concerned about the rules and institutions governing the multilateral trading system. In this paper, the author reviews and evaluates the participation of SDEs in the governance of the multilateral trading system, with a particular focus on the WTO. He suggests how SDEs can improve the efficacy of their participation in the WTO's decision-making process, and proposes ways in which the WTO could be adapted to better integrate SDEs in its governance.
Topic:
Economics, Emerging Markets, International Trade and Finance, Third World, and World Trade Organization

1306. The Global Economic Crisis and Its Implications for Asian Economic Cooperation

Author:
Michael G. Plummer
Publication Date:
10-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
East-West Center
Abstract:
The economic crisis of 2008–09 is the second major crisis in just over a decade that Asia has endured. Unlike the Asian crisis of 1997–98, however, the current crisis originated mainly in the West. Asia's excessive reliance on net exports as the principal driver of economic growth since the 1997–98 crisis rendered it especially vulnerable to external shocks, and most Asian countries have paid dearly. The more open the economy, the more vulnerable it is to such shocks. The newly industrialized Asian economies (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan), which are among the most open and dynamic in the world, are expected to contract by about 6 percent in 2009.
Topic:
Emerging Markets, International Trade and Finance, Regional Cooperation, Global Recession, and Financial Crisis
Political Geography:
Taiwan, Asia, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong

1307. A New Geography of Knowledge in the Electronics Industry? Asia\'s Role in Global Innovation Networks

Author:
Dieter Ernst
Publication Date:
08-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
East-West Center
Abstract:
Political debates about globalization are focused on offshore outsourcing of manufacturing and services. But these debates neglect an important change in the geography of knowledge––the emergence of global innovation networks (GINs) that integrate dispersed engineering, product development, and research activities across geographic borders.
Topic:
Emerging Markets, Globalization, Industrial Policy, International Trade and Finance, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
Asia

1308. Transparency in Reporting on Anti-Corruption: A Report on Corporate Practices

Publication Date:
03-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Bribery and corruption remain endemic problems in many countries, weakening governance and posing a major impediment to development. At the same time, bribery and corruption are a significant risk for companies around the world: not only must companies comply with anti-bribery legislation, but corrupt company practices are increasingly scrutinised and punished by both investors and society at large who demand that companies behave as responsible corporate citizens. To ensure compliance with laws and to manage the broader risk of corruption, firms must adopt coherent policies and systems to prevent and redress bribery and corruption.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, Governance, and Peacekeeping

1309. Business Principles for Countering Bribery: A Multi-Stakeholders Initiative Led by Transparency International

Publication Date:
02-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
The Business Principles for Countering Bribery were originally developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder process involving companies, non-governmental organisations and trade unions as a tool to assist enterprises to develop effective approaches to countering bribery in all of their activities.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, and Governance

1310. Global Corruption Barometer 2009

Author:
Juanita Riaño
Publication Date:
05-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Transparency International's (TI) 2009 Global Corruption Barometer (the Barometer) presents the main findings of a public opinion survey that explores the general public's views of corruption, as well as experiences of bribery around the world. It assesses the extent to which key institutions and public services are perceived to be corrupt, measures citizens' views on government efforts to fight corruption, and this year, for the first time, includes questions about the level of state capture and people's willingness to pay a premium for clean corporate behaviour.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, Governance, and Law