In The News

BRICS Alliance Looking for Cement

Ashok Malik April 2, 2012
Investment bank Goldman Sachs introduced the term BRIC in a 2003 report, suggesting that by mid-century the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China would outpace most of the major economic powers. S, for South Africa, was added in 2011. The loose grouping was based not on trade, security or political needs, but on speculation about investment opportunities they might offer....

US Foundations Boost Chinese Government, Not NGOs

Anthony J. Spires March 28, 2012
The number of NGOs continues to multiply worldwide, and competition for funding is intense. US-based foundations that contribute to international endeavors tend to promote human rights and democracy. But recipient programs in China are tightly monitored and controlled by the government, explains Anthony J. Spires, sociology professor with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, adding that “major...

Global Power Shift – Part I

Alistair Burnett March 21, 2012
The US plan to boost its presence in Asia could be less about expanding security and more about setting new priorities. This two-part series analyzes the implications of the new focus on a rising China both for US strategy and its relations with European partners. The Asia pivot could mark the start of a shrinking global security footprint for the US, Alistair Burnett, editor of BBC’s The World...

Ides of March in Beijing Politics

François Godement March 19, 2012
The purge of the Chongqing party chief signals a power shift underway in China between reformists and neoconservatives, one that has implications for foreign policy and foreign investors. In terms of governance, authoritarian China can take swift policy steps, but the top tier of leaders are split between reformers and neoconservatives. Bo Xilai, son of one of Mao’s colleagues and described as a...

In Europe, North Battles South

Joergen Oerstroem Moeller March 16, 2012
European economies can be divided into two categories – one that’s more competitive and flexible; the other more rigid, struggling to repay debts. With a few exceptions, countries of northern Europe are generally more competitive than the countries along the Mediterranean, explains researcher Joergen Oerstroem Moeller. He urges that the European Union cooperate in enacting structural changes and...

Children of China's Future – Part II

Karen Eggleston, Jean Oi, Scott Rozelle, Ang Sun, Xueguang Zhou March 14, 2012
Inequality has many forms, most with insidious and tragic consequences for children. This two-part series examines the opportunity gap for children of wealthy urbanites in China and those of the rural poor. In the second and final article, Karen Eggleston and a team of faculty members and researchers with Stanford University focus on the plight of China’s rural poor and an 8-year-old boy. Like...

India’s Dilemma: Faster Growth or Poverty Alleviation?

T.N. Ninan February 22, 2012
Fast growth from globalization can produce uneven results, enriching some citizens and leaving others behind. Balancing poverty removal and fast growth becomes more difficult when politicians have to worry about their constituents, notes Indian journalist T.N. Ninan. He uses battles in India over food subsidies, designed to eliminate hunger, and an employment guarantee program as examples of the...