In The News

Japan’s Coming Election Could Mean Its Withdrawal from the World

Ko Mishima August 25, 2009
The result of Japan’s upcoming election could be more than a test of confidence for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It might determine the nature of the country’s engagement with the world. According to Professor Ko Mishima, the Japanese doubt the LDP has a handle on the nation’s economy, and thus a win by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) looks close to certain. Though...

The Dragon in the Backyard

August 20, 2009
New economic cooperation between Latin America and less traditional trading partners is having a significant impact on the region both economically and politically. Top on the list is China’s increasing visibility as a strategic economic partner of the continent, much to the US’ discontent. While China’s cheap manufacturing has hurt countries such as Mexico, its demand for commodities has driven...

An Unlikely Marriage

Nayan Chanda August 20, 2009
The notion that China and America have fused into one economy, termed “Chimerica”, is now likely a chimera, according to the co-creator of the phrase, economic historian Niall Ferguson. This does not mean the two countries are not ineluctably linked; perhaps even to the degree that loosening the ties might precipitate unforeseen, but negative consequences. But it does call into question the idea...

What About the BRICs?

John Frankenstein August 13, 2009
In the current financial crisis, the world has pinned its hopes on Brazil, Russia, India, and China – known as the BRICs – to lift the global economy out of its funk. And while some of these countries may have more positive growth prospects than the developed world, there’s more to economic strength than GDP and stock market indices, according to Professor John Frankenstein. Indeed, on many...

Just When Africa’s Luck Was Changing

Ron Nixon August 6, 2009
Contrary to the initial belief that Africa would escape the impact of the credit crisis because of its little to no investment in the global subprime market, the continent is feeling the pinch. According to the World Bank, African economies will grow at a meager 3 percent this year compared to 6 percent from 2004 to 2008. What the credit crisis has done is to force investors around the world to...

US-China Duopoly Is a Pipedream

Christopher M. Clarke August 6, 2009
New terms like ‘Chimerica’ and G2 coined in recent years, describing ties between China and the US have acquired new currency as the world sought a way out of the global financial crisis. With China taking the spotlight during the G20 meeting in London and senior Chinese and American officials recently meeting for a Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington, there is hope that working...

Southeast Asian Nations Risk Dissension by Ignoring Human Rights

Meidyatama Suryodiningrat August 4, 2009
ASEAN’s status as a successful association that fosters regional economic development and trade remains largely unquestioned. But the association has a poor record as a forum of modern democratic states upholding broader objectives such as human rights. In fact, human rights issues involving some of its members could undermine the relevance of the association, writes Indonesian editor Meidyatama...