In The News

Gale Warning, Global Burden Sharing

Joergen Oerstroem Moeller October 19, 2007
Global questions of political economy have traditionally revolved around sharing public goods or dealing with crises. Today, however, the world must decide how to distribute the costs of tremendous challenges that are looming over the horizon. Joergen Oerstroem Moeller, visiting senior research fellow with the Institute of Southeast Asian Study, anticipates the world to be buffeted by the...

Overheated Planet Seeking Solutions: Emissions Fix May Lie Beneath Us

Laurie Goering October 16, 2007
Early in 2007, businessman and environmentalist Richard Branson offered a $25 million prize for developing a technology that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. An existing technology, however, promises to capture those emissions before they begin warming the planet. Carbon sequestration involves trapping carbon emissions from power plants or other polluters, pumping them deep underground...

In Search of Common Sense

Bo Ekman October 12, 2007
Globalization and an unchecked quest for economic growth have rapidly changed the world. Growing numbers of people expect a standard of living substantially higher than what the earth has capacity to provide. Humans increasingly confront problems global in scope, yet the world lacks a cohesive form of governance that efficiently addresses issues that surpass national boundaries. The world could...

Thanks China, Now Go Home: Buy-up of Zambia Revives Old Colonial Fears

Chris McGreal October 5, 2007
Sino-African trade has reached unprecedented levels, but the debate over its benefits for Africa rages on. Intent on acquiring natural resources to continue its blistering rate of economic growth, China turns to African nations for oil, metals and other valuables. In return, African governments, like the one in Zambia, receive huge aid and development packages and loans at below-market rates...

Cut Fuel Use and the Trade Deficit

Bruce Stokes September 14, 2007
An old saying suggests that “killing two birds with one stone” is the height of efficiency. Pressuring China to re-set the yuan to a higher value and cut subsides has not helped to lower the US trade deficit. Instead, the US could take immediate action regarding one major import, suggests Bruce Stokes. “Net US outlays for imported oil and natural gas exceed the nation’s trade balance with China,...

Russia is Building Up Its Power on Feet of Clay

Joschka Fischer September 10, 2007
Russia spans two continents, making it a geostrategic giant. With some of the world’s largest reserves of fossil fuel, the nation is a volatile economic hard hitter. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian politicians have opened to more trade and global negotiations with the US and Europe, but strains of authoritarianism run deep. Europe, concerned about intrusion or bullying, would prefer...

Big Questions for Big Oil

Sacha Kumaria September 5, 2007
Oil prices will probably rise with the approach of winter in the northern hemisphere, continuing a wave of profits. But the world’s largest oil companies plan for contraction rather than expansion. National oil companies in countries like Russia or Venezuela, as monopolies, demand high payments from the competing independent firms, allowing less funds for research and development. Independent...