Reframing Global Environmental Governance: Results of a CIGI/CIS Collaboration
There are serious questions about the ability or willingness of states, individually and collectively, to respond to the most pressing environmental challenges. The erosion of confidence in and the dominance of a state-centric governance model has simultaneously resulted from and provoked significant innovation. Corporations, social and environmental organizations, private-public partnerships, substate governments, and even local communities have already begun to conceive and implement governance initiatives to address global environmental problems. This paper reflects upon these innovative institutional dynamics and assesses their prospects to produce effective, legitimate, and equitable outcomes. It concludes with a series of questions to guide future analysis and to better understand the prospects for improving the practice of global environmental governance.
Participation of Small Developing Economies in the Governance of the Multilateral Trading System
Given their vulnerability to external economic events, small developing countries (SDEs) are particularly cognizant of their place in the world economy. Moreover, given their reliance on international trade for prosperity, SDEs are also concerned about the rules and institutions governing the multilateral trading system. In this paper, the author reviews and evaluates the participation of SDEs in the governance of the multilateral trading system, with a particular focus on the World Trade Organization ( WTO). He suggests how SDEs can improve the efficacy of their participation in the WTO’s decision-making process, and proposes ways in which the WTO could be adapted to better integrate SDEs in its governance.
The Obama Administration and Iran: Towards a Constructive Dialogue
Relations between the US and Iran have long been strained, with a heightened intensity evident during the Bush administration. Now, a new opportunity exists to redefine the relationship. In this paper, the author seeks to locate the Obama administration's efforts and highlight contemporary issues that would inform a constructive dialogue between the two nations.
Reform and Modernization of the OECD
In this working paper, CIGI Distinguished Fellow Jocelyne Bourgon, discusses reforms undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As a former Canadian ambassador to the OECD, Mme Bourgon offers several insights about the nature and success of the reforms which can be used by individuals leading reforms in other multilateral organizations.
China's Role as a Trade Bridge for Expanding Regional and World Trade
This paper investigates China's trade interactions with the United States, Japan and South Korea from the period of the first quarter of 1993 to the fourth quarter of 2005. It finds substantial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)-induced indirect trade from Japan and Korea to the US through China, and between Japan and Korea through China. These indirect trade flows have led to increases in China's trade deficit with Japan and Korea as well as China's trade surplus with the US. The indirect trade flows through China also indicate the importance of China's role as a trade bridge. From the viewpoint of world trade growth, as a trade bridge, China contributes to the stable growth of the regional and world economies. However, playing this role as a trade bridge may negatively affect China's long-term economic growth.
The Implications of China's Ascendancy for Africa
China's spectacular economic progress has led some security analysts and policy makers in the North and the South to question Beijing's intentions in other parts of the world. This paper examines the extent to which China's engagement with Africa has produced mutual benefits for both and whether Africa is reaping the necessary benefits required for poverty alleviation and economic development. Chinese state-owned enterprises have invested billions of dollars in foreign reserves, construction and engineering resources assisting African oil-producing exporters. While many in the West have started to question China's extraordinary level of interest in Africa - in particular, its economic engagement with perceived repressive regimes - African leaders view China's entry as a means of pulling Africa onto the path of globalization. It is thus important that African leaders and policy makers ensure that Chinese trade and investment bring reciprocal and tangible benefits for Africans, and contribute to economic stability and good governance.
The BRICSAM Countries and Changing World Economic Power:Scenarios to 2050
Rapid economic growth in the large developing countries collectively known as BRICSAM (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Mexico) has the potential to change the balance of economic power in the world. This paper analyzes this potential building on developments in these economies over the past four decades in the context of the evolution of the world economy.
Zimbabwe in Crisis: Mugabe's Policies and Failures
Exemplifying the negative consequences of a variety of inappropriate fiscal and social policies, Zimbabwe has failed to realize its potential to become a strong, independent state, going from the admiration and envy of its neighbours to near-complete collapse and abject poverty. Economic turmoil, caused by failed land reforms and inflation, combined with increased malnutrition, and evaporating access to education, health care and employment have only exacerbated unrest, particularly for constituencies who receive few benefits from President Robert Mugabe's regime. This paper assesses Zimbabwe's social, political and economic crisis and its impact on Zimbabweans, indicating the steps needed for national recovery and sustainable development.
Building Intellectual Property Coalitions for Development
The adoption of a Development Agenda in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in October 2007 provides developing countries with a rare and unprecedented opportunity to reshape the international intellectual property system in a way that would better advance their interests. This paper, released on the eve of the 2008 General Assembly of WIPO in Geneva on September 22-30, argues that developing countries can improve their influence in international negotiations around intellectual property by coordinating their efforts and building coalitions. Establishment of such Intellectual Property Coalitions for Development (IPC4D) could reduce the push by the European Community and the United States to ratchet up global intellectual property standards in the face of opposition from many developing countries. If successful, such efforts could enlarge the policy space that these countries need for the development of their intellectual property, trade and public health policies.
Higher Education Reservations and India's Economic Growth: An Examination
In 2006 the Indian parliament passed legislation reserving an additional 27 percent of seats in all institutions of higher learning, funded by the central government, for the category of socially disadvantaged groups officially known as "Other Backward Classes." At a time when India is opening its economy to global competition, this initiative has re-ignited the debate on the efficacy of reservations and triggered fresh anxieties about the impact of this policy on India's economic growth. This paper looks closely at the offered justifications for this policy as well as the expressed concerns. While examining the implications of the policy, particularly the claim that higher education reservations will dilute the quality of human capital, the paper suggests that the policy may present long-term challenges not currently anticipated. The argument rests on the understanding that while educational institutions must be responsive to the concerns of marginalized groups, the policies for correcting prevailing exclusions must be just and fair. If they enshrine identity as a permanent economic asset or a source of ever-renewable privilege, these policies are likely to produce social conflict and disharmony. This element is ignored by the announced policy and is likely to weaken not just India's educational institutions but also its democracy - results that are likely to weaken India's prospects of becoming a global power and its goal of social equity.
