CIGI Papers, October, 2011
Fostering Growth and Development in Small States through Disruptive Change: A Case Study of the Caribbean
Growth in the Caribbean region has been on a downward trajectory for two decades. The region is showing dangerous signs of sinking under the weight of excessive introspection — the real debate concerns how to enable change. The Caribbean is not globally competitive, but dependent. The cost of living is high, ratcheted up by inefficient ports, monopolistic transport markets, high fees and taxes. The appearance of “openness” in trade and finance hides protectionism. The economic framework in the Caribbean is shaped by the political structure, making it difficult for governments to alter the economic structure — where state employment tends to be high, few political parties will risk the wrath of public sector workers. Real change has not been undertaken because the current situation in the Caribbean suits the people with influence.
Watching While the Frog Boils: Strategic Folly in the Afghan Security Sector
Over the last nine years, international approaches to the Afghan security sector have exhibited elements of security sector reform, counterinsurgency and stabilization. This paper, the ninth in the Afghanistan Papers series, argues that the practice of attempting all three approaches simultaneously has lead to confusion, and that, ultimately, the international intervention’s lack of strategic direction and focus has been detrimental to Afghanistan and its international partners.
CIGI'11 — An Unfinished House: Filling the Gaps in Global Governance
The background paper for the CIGI conference “An Unfinished House: Filling the Gaps in International Governance” provides a useful collection of facts and observations about the universe of global governance arrangements. It offers a preliminary description of the critical gaps and inadequacies — to assist in thinking about the principal dilemmas and research priorities.