In The News

Can Machiavellian Renzi Save Italy?

Joseph LaPalombara February 25, 2014
Machiavellian maneuvers rely on clever deceit and appearances to achieve political goals, as described by Niccolò Machiavelli in his short book The Prince, published in 1532. Using political machinations, disrupting a coalition carefully crafted by the leader of his own party and promising expansive reforms, Matteo Renzi followed Machiavelli’s playbook to become prime minister of Italy, suggests...

Laos in Danger of Losing Jobs, Culture as Chinese Pour In

Ken Quimbach February 19, 2014
China is investing heavily in neighboring Laos, rapidly altering the landscape. “Across Laos, Chinese laborers are building huge malls, dams, factories, golf courses and airports, taking jobs that could easily done by Laotians,” reports Bangkok-based Ken Quimbach for the Global Times. The source of the critique is unusual in that Global Times is an international arm of the state-run, party-...

China Moves to End Its Codependency with US

Stephen S. Roach February 18, 2014
Global analysts fret about the resilience of emerging markets, including China’s. Yet economic managers in China know what needs to be done, already taking steps to rebalance, shifting from dependence on manufacturing and exports towards more services and consumer spending. The world is not prepared for the necessary slowdown in growth from China as its leaders focus on domestic spending,...

Where We Go From Here

Ernesto Zedillo February 17, 2014
NAFTA is 20 years old, and the trade agreement is assessed by Americas Quarterly, a policy journal by the Council of Americas, an international business organization. Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, argues NAFTA has fulfilled its promise of growth, employment and competitiveness. “Annual trade among the three partners has increased fourfold, and intraregional investment almost...

Cambodia Garment Worker Dreams of Better Future

Kyle James February 14, 2014
Bargains for intricate fashions so plentiful in boutiques around the world are only possible because workers in less developed nations like Cambodia endure long hours, with a workweek that encompasses six 12-hour days, earning less than $3.50 per day. “This exhausting regimen is a reality for the majority of Cambodia's approximately 600,000 garment workers,” writes Kyle James. He profiles...

Tread With Caution in Highly Sensitive Burma

David I. Steinberg February 13, 2014
The government in Burma (Myanmar) is loosening political controls, and welcoming more trade and interactions with the rest of the world. The strong culture has resisted waves of Indian, Chinese and Western influences in the past, suggests David I. Steinberg, distinguished professor of Asian Studies emeritus at Georgetown University, and new connections are introducing rapid change that could...

China and Taiwan in First Government Talks

Martin Patience February 12, 2014
China and Taiwan have held high-level talks, the first since 1949, reports BBC News. “Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, insisting that it must be reunited with the mainland - by force, if necessary,” explains Martin Patience for BBC News. “For Taiwan, there is no ignoring China – the world's second largest economy.” Relations have improved since 2008 and the election of Taiwan...