In The News

China: The Dark Side of Growth

Yanzhong Huang June 6, 2013
In just three decades, China has been transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations to the world’s second largest economy. But rapid growth imposes long-term environmental, health and social costs, and other nations should be wary of emulating China’s model, cautions Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. Smog choking Beijing and other cities...

Bitcoin Will Continue to Function Beyond the Reach of Government and Law

James Ball June 5, 2013
Bitcoin is a novel currency that lacks government backing and is instead defined by mathematical rules, thus putting it largely out of the reach of law enforcement. According to James Ball of the Guardian, Bitcoin’s potential was recently exposed by an investigation into Liberty Reserve out of Costa Rica. Liberty Reserve is accused of a $6 billion money laundering scheme as “a popular hub for...

End the Campaign to Spread Democracy

Dov Ronen May 1, 2013
Global citizens are familiar with democracy’s joys and pains, and there is no need for proponents to promote the system of governance. Citizens in any given land must exercise self-determination in selecting a government, argues Dov Ronen of Harvard University. Referring to Woodrow Wilson, who as US president prioritized self-determination in the Covenant of the League of Nations, Ronen suggests...

Is Pakistan a Failing State?

Gustav Ranis April 25, 2013
Since its independence, Pakistan has had civilian rule for 25 of the past 65 years, including the last five. The ongoing struggle between the country’s military and civilian government is again in the limelight over the detention of Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on a court order. The source of the country’s instability includes corruption and a flailing economy; a budget over-...

Instead of the State, Globalization Has Withered

Julie Novak April 19, 2013
Nations are keen to control globalization, welcoming the best ideas and talent and keeping away the problems, a task much easier said than done. Most nations appreciate a large choice in trendy products, hard-working and innovative immigrants, and a reputation for being cosmopolitan. The 2008 financial crisis enlarged rather than destroy government, fueled by fiscal stimulus spending, maintains...

Growing Divide in Saudi Arabia Between Rulers, Ruled

Karen Elliott House March 15, 2013
Saudi Arabia has a diverse arsenal for squashing dissent against the repressive regime, ranging from bribes and government jobs to harassment and long jail sentences. Two moderate activists received 10-year prison sentences for supporting a constitutional monarchy and human rights, reports author Karen Elliott House in an opinion essay for the Washington Post. The Arab Spring has spurred activism...

Annoyed, China Sticks With North Korea

Nayan Chanda March 11, 2013
In 1961, China and North Korea signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, committing either party to come to the aid of the other if attacked. China has since been doling out food and energy aid despite North Korea regularly issuing threats to South Korea and the US, as well as repeatedly defying UN resolutions on nuclear and missile tests. In a departure from past...