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761. Governing the Federal Reserve System after the Dodd-Frank Act

Author:
Simon Johnson and Peter Conti-Brown
Publication Date:
10-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
The 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act increased the powers of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (hereafter the Board) along almost all dimensions pertaining to the supervision and operation of systemically important financial institutions. With Ben S. Bernanke's term as Fed chair ending in January 2014, much of the public's attention has focused appropriately on the identity, views, and experience of candidates for the successor, whose influence on bank regulation will be considerable. President Barack Obama's selection of current Board vice chair Janet L. Yellen as chair—a highly qualified choice—comes at the end of a long public debate on this nomination.
Topic:
Economics, International Trade and Finance, Financial Crisis, Governance, and Reform

762. Minority rules: State ownership and foreign direct investment risk mitigation strategy

Author:
Barclay E. James and Paul M. Vaaler.
Publication Date:
12-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
Business researchers, executives and regulators may assume that state ownership in firms raises risk for private co-investors. After all, private investors are seeking profits while states are seeking welfare. Giving them both equity only confuses the aims of an investment project, complicates the job of investment project managers and raises the overall risk of investment project failure. But these assumptions do not fit the evidence as demonstrated by a well-known risk indicator observable in hundreds of investment projects located in dozens o f countries: in countries where initial investment terms are more vulnerable to renegotiation by host country governments, we found that "minority rules" apply w hereby a non-controlling, but still substantial equity investment by a host country government can play a risk-mitigating role.
Topic:
Markets, Treaties and Agreements, Foreign Direct Investment, Governance, and Reform
Political Geography:
Ethiopia

763. Achieving sustainable development objectives in international investment: Could future IIAs impose sustainable development-related obligations on investors?

Author:
Janani Sarvanantham and John Gaffney
Publication Date:
11-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
A number of influential international organizations recently have issued publications that discuss the promotion of sustainable development in international investment. These organizations include the United Nations; UNCTAD; FAO, IFAD, the UNCTAD Secretariat, and the World Bank Group; the Commonwealth Secretariat; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); and the South African Development Community (SADC).
Topic:
Development, Economics, Emerging Markets, International Organization, Foreign Aid, and Governance
Political Geography:
United Nations

764. True Leadership Requires Accountability: The Way Forward for New African Leadership

Publication Date:
02-2013
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Columbia University World Leaders Forum
Abstract:
This World Leaders Forum program features an address by Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace laureate, Liberian peace activist, Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, titled True Leadership Requires Accountability: The Way Forward for New African Leadership, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Topic:
Development, Peace Studies, Poverty, and Governance
Political Geography:
Africa

765. The International Criminal Court and the Fight Against Impunity for Atrocity Crimes

Author:
Sang-Hyun Song
Publication Date:
02-2013
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Columbia University World Leaders Forum
Abstract:
This World Leaders Forum program features an address by Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court, titled The International Criminal Court and the Fight Against Impunity for Atrocity Crimes, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Topic:
Crime, Genocide, Globalization, Human Rights, International Law, International Organization, and Governance

767. Britain needs to think bigger

Author:
Phillip Blond
Publication Date:
06-2013
Content Type:
Journal Article
Institution:
Chatham House
Abstract:
Looking at structural problems that can blinker academic innovation
Topic:
Governance
Political Geography:
Britain, America, and Canada

768. The limits of compulsory cyber power: Assessing ecological potential and restraints in the digital domain

Author:
Hans-Inge Langø
Publication Date:
06-2013
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
Hostile actors in cyberspace are considered one of the fastest growing threats to states. Much has been written on the subject, but the available literature remains parochial, lacking a unifying understanding of the environment. This paper proposes a systematic approach to understanding the political utility of cyberspace, specifically the character of compulsory cyber power.
Topic:
Security, Crime, Political Economy, Science and Technology, Communications, and Governance

769. Ethnic Policy in China: Is Reform Inevitable?

Author:
James Leibold
Publication Date:
09-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
East-West Center
Abstract:
Balancing ethnocultural diversity and dignity with national integration and interethnic cohesion has been a constant challenge for Chinese policymakers. With a sizeable ethnic minority population, China has long been engaged in this delicate balancing act. Despite episodic conflict, it could be argued that the Communist Party of China (CPC) has, especially since the 1976 death of Mao Zedong, done a relatively competent job of containing ethnic tensions.
Topic:
Ethnic Conflict, Human Rights, Human Welfare, and Governance
Political Geography:
China and Israel

770. The Sovereign Debt Forum: Expanding Our Tool Kit for Handling Sovereign Crises

Author:
Richard Gitlin and Brett House
Publication Date:
08-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation
Abstract:
A sovereign debt forum (SDF) would assist in facilitating more predictable, transparent and timely treatments of sovereign crises during future episodes of debt-servicing difficulties. An SDF would provide a non-statutory, neutral standing body to identify lessons from past episodes of sovereign distress, maintain information on sovereign debt and convene stakeholders to engage in confidential discussions at the outset of a sovereign crisis. The SDF proposal takes inspiration from existing precedents, such as the Paris Club and Vienna Initiative, which demonstrate that informal, rules-based representative entities have a long-standing history of organizing effective workouts for distressed countries An SDF would have a limited remit: to enable early, discreet consultation and information sharing between distressed sovereigns and their creditors to speed the process by which a sovereign is returned to solvency, stability and growth. An SDF would not supersede existing institutions and would rely on close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). An SDF would complement other proposals for automatic maturity extensions on securitized debt, arbitration and mediation processes, voluntary standstills and improved aggregation in collective action clauses (CACs). The SDF and other incremental, pragmatic proposals to improve sovereign crisis management should be put at the core of the G20 agenda on an ongoing basis.
Topic:
Economics, Financial Crisis, and Governance