This week's piece focuses on mixed successes of intra-regional mergers and acquisitions in South-east Asia. Large South-east Asian firms have been enthusiastic investors within the region, with mixed results. Successful intra-regional investment is important for developing a greater domestic demand structure in the region and reducing reliance on external demand.
Topic:
International Political Economy and International Trade and Finance
US trade officials said last week that EU estimates of damages arising from US export subsidies were exaggerated. EU trade officials have asked the WTO to approve 4 billion dollars worth of trade sanctions against the United States, after the latter lost an appeal before the WTO on the tax treatment of foreign-source income — judged to be illegal export subsidies. Washington must amend its tax laws or face the prospect of retaliatory trade restrictions.
The government announced yesterday that productivity increased at a 3.5% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2001. The figure, previously available in its component form, has been interpreted as evidence of underlying improvement in productivity in the post-1995 period. Sustainability of productivity growth determines the reliability of fiscal forecasts, growth, inflation and unemployment.
This week's piece examines the World Social Forum that opens today in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The forum is the 'anti-globalisation' counterpart to this week's World Economic Forum being held in New York. The outcome of this year's meeting will set the theme for the anti-globalisation movement and may include aggressive lobbying for a cross-border currency tax.
Topic:
Globalization, International Cooperation, International Organization, and International Trade and Finance
Crown Prince Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz yesterday described relations with Washington as "excellent". Despite these remarks, US-Saudi ties are under greater strain than at any time since the 1973-74 oil embargo, with the value of relations under question in the media of both countries, reflecting public feelings. These sentiments are not shared by the governing elites in either Washington or Riyadh, but they are constraining how the governments deal with one another. The removal of US forces from the Prince Sultan Airbase might ease the domestic pressure on Riyadh and give it more room to cooperate with Washington on other matters related to the war on terrorism. However, if Washington targets Iraq militarily, and Saudi Arabia rejects US requests for cooperation, relations will be severely damaged.
Topic:
Diplomacy
Political Geography:
United States, Washington, Middle East, and Arabia
This week's piece examines the ECB's monetary and communication policy. The Governing Council of the ECB has appeared fairly unmoved either by widespread criticism of its communication policy or by growing pressure for lower interest rates. The ECB has no choice but to remain committed to its price stability mandate, despite the change in economic climate. However, in doing so, it remains vulnerable to the dilemmas posed by the combination of strong independence and a narrow mandate.
This week's piece examines the impact of strong growth and low volatility in socially responsible investment. Current trends suggest that fund managers and stock index compilers will introduce more socially responsible investment products in 2002. Of all the developments within the SRI (socially responsible investment) industry the high persistency rates of social investors stand out. If the growth of this asset class continues and if financial returns continue to be deprioritised among investors, gradual changes in the style and approach of corporate boards of directors, operations and accounting and disclosure will occur.
A companion piece to Building a More United America: Final Report of the Uniting America Series, Conducting Your Community Dialogue is designed to help groups and individuals organize and carry out a community dialogue about issues addressed in the earlier report. Roles for discussants and sample questions for facilitating discussions are included.
Angela Glover Blackwell, Stewart Kwoh, and Manuel Pastor
Publication Date:
04-2002
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
American Assembly at Columbia University
Abstract:
A wide-ranging and in-depth discussion of the persistently divisive issues surrounding race in this country.
Race is easily the defining point of American disunity. Often discussed in black and white, today's racial divide includes growing numbers of Hispanics and Asian Americans, as well as Native Americans. By broadening the parameters of the racial dialogue, this book brings a new perspective to an essential American issue. The American Assembly of Columbia University commissioned this volume as part of its Uniting America series.
The heart of this occasional paper is a translation of an official Soviet-era document titled “Report on Measures Taken to Contain and Eradicate the Smallpox Outbreak Locale in the City of Aralsk, September/October 1971.” This previously secret report describes and analyzes an outbreak of smallpox that occurred in autumn 1971 in Aralsk, a small city on the shore of the Aral Sea in what was then the Kazakhstan Soviet Socialist Republic. Ten persons became infected with smallpox, and three died, before the outbreak was successfully contained by means of quarantine, mass vaccination in Aralsk, and other public health measures. A contagious disease that killed about a third of its victims, smallpox was characterized by high fever, prostration, and a painful pustular rash on the face and body that left survivors with disfiguring facial scars.
Topic:
Health, Terrorism, War, Weapons of Mass Destruction, World Health Organization, and Biosecurity