Search

Begin New Search Topic Development

2401. State-building and Constitutional Design after Conflict

Author:
Kristi Samuels and Vanessa Hawkins Wyeth
Publication Date:
08-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute
Abstract:
This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of constitutional choices made after conflict, drawing upon comparative studies of six constitutions and peace agreements. The paper attempts to synthesize the practical lessons drawn from the cases, with a focus on (i) the constitution-making process; (ii) the extent of reliance on executive and geographical power-sharing; (iii) the viability of checks and balances; (iv) the electoral model; (v) the role of political parties in the transition; and (vi) issues of implementation.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Development, and Government

2402. Development and Security in the Pacific Island Region

Author:
M. Anne Brown
Publication Date:
09-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute
Abstract:
Pacific Island states face serious challenges and dilemmas, as a series of crises in the region indicate. Across the region, countries struggle with significant problems of state capacity, including poor leadership, poor governance and weak links between state institutions and community life and values.
Topic:
Security, Development, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Australia/Pacific

2403. Remittances in Conflict and Crises: How Remittances Sustain Livelihoods in War, Crises and Transitions to Peace

Author:
Patricia Weiss Fagen and Micah N. Bump
Publication Date:
02-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute
Abstract:
Although migrant workers, refugees and immigrants have been sending money, goods and ideas home for millennia, until about a decade ago donors and international finance agencies paid little attention to the phenomenon. Interest has grown exponentially as statistics show what we now call migrant remittances to be among the most important contributing factors to national economies in several countries. Nearly all the countries in the conflict, war-to-peace transition, and crisis categories are highly dependent on remittances. The slow recovery of livelihoods and persistent violence or repression ensure high levels of migration and the need for remittances in such countries for several years after conflict and crises have ended. By all accounts, migrant remittances reduce poverty in important ways in developing countries. Research shows that migrants transfer funds and invest in their countries of origin at times when international investment has all but disappeared. By serving these purposes in countries emerging from or still experiencing conflicts (e.g., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Somalia, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and others), remittances can be seen as a sine qua non for peace and rebuilding.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Development, Peace Studies, and War
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Kosovo, Liberia, and Somalia

2404. International Assistance to Countries Emerging from Conflict. A Review of Fifteen Years of Interventions and the Future of Peacebuilding

Author:
Alberto Cutillo
Publication Date:
02-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute
Abstract:
The end of the Cold War and the spirit of cooperation which prevailed in the early 1990s within the Security Council provided the international community with a historic opportunity to address the number of violent conflicts—and particularly internal conflicts—which had been steadily increasing since the end of World War II.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Development, and Peace Studies

2405. Developing EU Civil Military Co-ordination: The Role of the New Civilian Military Cell

Author:
Giovanni Gasparini, Gerrard Quille, Stephen Pullinger (ed), Nicoletta Pirozzi, and Roberto Menotti
Publication Date:
06-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The scope of this Report is to analyse the recent developments in EU Civil Military Co-ordination (CMCO), with a particular focus on the establishment and role of the new Civilian Military Cell (CivMil Cell): an issue that is likely to be of great interest in European and Transatlantic (NATO) debates in the next few years. The Report is divided into two parts: the first reviews the main stages and obstacles in the process of establishing an EU CivMil Cell in the current European and Transatlantic security and defence context; and the second examines its particular impact on Italian policy and planning.
Topic:
Defense Policy, NATO, and Development
Political Geography:
Europe and Italy

2406. Die Europäische Union: Stolpersteine auf dem Weg zur Integration (The European Union: Stumbling Blocks on the Road to Integration)

Author:
Lutz Unterseher
Publication Date:
05-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Project on Defense Alternatives
Abstract:
If one believes the officials in Brussels, the European Union, along with its institutional predecessors, has been a story of thoroughly successful economic integration. It is claimed that this development has to a considerable extent resulted from the impact of market forces, but also from the Union's (formerly: the Community's) well-conceived policies to promote competitiveness in certain regions and branches of industry as well as economic cohesion in general. The reality is somewhat sobering, however
Topic:
International Relations, Development, and Economics
Political Geography:
Brussels

2407. A Few Thoughts on the Evolution of Infantry: Past, Present, Future

Author:
Lutz Unterseher
Publication Date:
05-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Project on Defense Alternatives
Abstract:
During the Seven Years War a young, handsome and daring cavalryman in the Prussian Army was observed taking sexual liberties with his beautiful mare. This indiscretion was brought to the attention of King Frederic II. Advisors fretted as to what would become of the army as a fighting force, and of war in general, if such behavior were to spread across all ranks of mounted personnel. Many expected the king would have this deed punished in the most draconian manner. Frederic decided otherwise and simply ordered : “Transfer that chap to the infantry!”
Topic:
Security, Development, and War
Political Geography:
Europe and Prussia

2408. Recent US Free Trade Initiatives in the Middle East: Opportunities but no Guarantees

Author:
Robert Z. Lawrence
Publication Date:
12-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Abstract:
This paper evaluates the US initiative to establish a Free Trade Agreement with countries in the Middle East by signing bilateral agreements with the countries individually and then combining them into a single arrangement. These agreements present new opportunities for Arab countries, but to take full advantage, they will have to complement the agreements with additional policy measures, both individually, and together. The promise comes from the ability to use the agreements as a catalyst for improving regulatory rules and systems at home and facilitating integration with the rest of the region and the world. But the agreements also present problems for Arab countries, first in relating these US agreements to agreements with other trading partners – most importantly the EU; second in creating political difficulties associated with closer relations with the USA given problems in the region, and third, in undertaking the necessary economic and political policies that are necessary to realize the benefits.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, Globalization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
United States, Middle East, and Arabia

2409. A New Compensation Mechanism for Preference Erosion in the Doha Round

Author:
Robert Z. Lawrence and Tatiana Rosito
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Abstract:
The Doha Round is intended to advance the interests of developing countries but it has run into problems because additional liberalization in sectors of interest to some developing countries could erode the preferences of others. None of the current proposals to deal with the issue, either through delaying liberalization or providing compensation have found widespread support. In this paper we explore a proposal to backload the phase-in of MFN tariff reductions in sensitive sectors and use the revenues generated to provide compensation for preference erosion. We argue that the approach would be both equitable and effective.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, Globalization, and International Trade and Finance

2410. China and the Multilateral Trading System

Author:
Robert Z. Lawrence
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Abstract:
This paper reviews China's multilateral and preferential trade policies. It reviews the demanding terms of China's WTO accession, its current tariff and trade regime and its participation in the Doha Round negotiations and the institution's regular activities. The analysis concludes that China's trade policies are broadly supportive of a rules based multilateral trading order and its behavior at the WTO is that of a status quo power rather than one seeking major systemic changes. The discussion then turns to China's regional trade initiatives. China has been extremely active in negotiating these and their implications remain uncertain. Concerns about an East Asian fortress, though, appear misplaced. Directly, and through their impact in inducing others to respond, these FTAs could provide a powerful impetus to the process of competitive global liberalization. Countries that do implement agreements with China will find it relatively easy to open their markets to other developing countries. There is also a risk however that the proliferation of FTAs will lead to web of overlapping agreements that could make the trading system unnecessarily complex.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
China and Asia