In The News

Inequality and the Nature of Capital: A Reminder

Chandran Nair June 17, 2014
Complaints about inequality have taken the West by storm, and that accounts for the success of the book “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by economist Thomas Piketty. Inequality is not a new topic for developing nations, notes author Chandran Nair. “Piketty, like every other economist, seeks to explain the world with reference to economic capital alone while ignoring the mother of all...

Severity of Crisis in Maghreb/Sahel Regions Intensifies: MEA-Risk

Arezki Daoud June 12, 2014
The Northern African region faces new security challenges of terrorism, separatism and organized crime that stem from regional conflicts, political persecution, poverty, inequality and mobility. The North Africa Journal and its sister company MEA–Risk detail the risks for the nations of North Africa. Libya, after international intervention that led to the downfall of longtime dictator Muammar...

Modi Doubles Down on the Neighborhood

Alyssa Ayres June 10, 2014
In anticipating India's foreign policy under newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many have focused on his pragmatic growth policy based on international trade and investment while wondering if he would first turn to East Asia. Early signals suggest that Modi will focus on building closer ties in the immediate region – with other member states of the South Asian Association of...

Coffee Rust Reaches New Heights in Central America

Moises Castillo and Marcos Aleman June 9, 2014
Rising temperatures and climate change have put the Central American coffee industry into crisis mode with economic repercussions for the region, reports the Associated Press. A fungus called “coffee rust” is destroying coffee plants. So far, there is no known cure. Farmers manage harvests by spraying or replacing infected trees. Disease-resistant plants have been developed, but planting new...

Thai Junta Claims Support from China, Vietnam Amid Western Unease

Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Pracha Hariraksapitak June 6, 2014
After a coup in Thailand, China and Vietnam expect a quick return to normality. The West and Australia are less sure. Support from China and Vietnam, as well as among Thais, could extend the duration of the coup longer than expected. “In May, Thailand's consumer confidence index hit its highest level since January on hopes the military can bring the economy back from the brink of recession...

Timor-Leste: Lessons of a Failing State?

Loro Horta May 22, 2014
Timor-Leste shares the island of Timor and a bloody history with Indonesia. The former Portuguese colony was part of Indonesia from 1976 until 2002, when it was declared an independent state. The country’s small population is less than half of 1 percent of that in neighboring Indonesia, and one quarter died in fighting for independence. Despite great natural resources, the country has since...

Climate Change: We Have No Solution Yet

Robert J. Samuelson May 13, 2014
Any report warning of global warming or climate change should carry the disclaimer, “we now lack the technologies to stop it,” argues Robert J. Samuelson in the Washington Post. The economics column reflects the widespread impatience over scientific research and response on a complex problem that affects every industry and every part of the globe. Samuelson accepts that climate change is real,...