Abstract This paper looks at the book "Ethiopia: A Country Study" from the point of view of its unique angle in which it examines the history and society of Ethiopia. It shows how the authors adopt a holistic approach to the analysis of Ethiopia, providing a detailed description and interpretation of the country's major historical events, in addition to its social, economic, political, and security systems.
From the Paper "Presented in a chronologically well structured manner, and in language that is acceptable to both academic experts and a general audience, the study conducts an in-depth analysis of Ethiopia's social, political and economic institutions, their development, efficiency and interrelationships. Ethiopia: A Country Study places great emphasis on the effects of cultural factors and, unlike many similar research projects, the authors of this book have closely examined and considered the results of political and economic development upon the different ethnic groups within Ethiopia, in addition to those of the population as a whole."
Tags: africa, society, economy, development, third, world, country, population
Abstract The paper explores the stance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in regards to its policy of accession with developing countries and specific restrictions on trade for other countries. The paper focuses on Kyrgyzstan and further developments of the WTO with Russia and China. The paper provides a brief synopsis on globalization and capital to shed light on the effects of trade on the global economy.
From the Paper "The World Trade Organization has, since the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001 had at the center of its policy the enhancement of developing countries with trade. The Committee on Trade and Development deals with economy issues facing less developed countries (that is less developed in the areas of agriculture, or natural resources) and works on trade related issues that may arise from such shortcomings.
"Another area by which the WTO has interacted with developing countries is through technology. The WTO has set forth specific goals for accessible technologies to be traded between countries whether or not they are developing or already developed in technology. Agriculture and technology are key components of the Doha Ministerial Conference because they allow for multilateral trade. The WTO has two-thirds of its members as developing countries so their inclusion in policy and multilateral trade is essential to the role of the World Trade Organization (Ingco 2004)."
Abstract The paper is a brief research in to the issue of the fundamentalist Islamic societies such as, Saudi Arabia and other related countries, where men abuse Islam to oppress women.
This in-depth paper analyzes the significance in assessing and rating a particular country's assets and liabilities as well as its overall impact on the global economy.
Abstract The writer of the well-researched paper examines the history of sovereign ratings which have been around since approximately 1979. This paper details the importance of sovereign ratings, which basically assess the financial worth of an individual country. This paper analyzes the methods in which countries are rated, which include calculating the financial history, current assets and liabilities of a particular country. Sovereign ratings are significant when calculating whether or not a particular country can repay its debt, or whether the country in question will choose to default on its debt, to the lending country. This paper delves into the relevance of these ratings, when dealing with international trade and currency. This paper explores the various risks involved in lending money to sovereign nations. This paper examines the methodologies that are generally used by rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's and Moody's. The writer discusses the various shortcomings that are associated with sovereign ratings, while discussing why certain countries, such as Korea and Malaysia do not have good ratings. This paper also supplies two tables relevant to this particular topic, including a sovereign credit rating, listed by country.
Table of Contents:
Literature Review
Introduction
History of Sovereign Ratings
Methodologies Used by Rating Agencies
Shortcomings
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "While sovereign ratings are seen to be very important, more recent history is still suggestive of the fact that lending to sovereigns remains very risky. A survey taken by Standard & Poor's that dealt with 72 governments and looked at the debt based on outstanding foreign and domestic currency indicated that 30 of these had defaulted at least one time on either foreign or domestic currency debt since 1970. None of these sovereigns had any type of sovereign rating by a rating agency that was recognized internationally before they defaulted but nine of them have been rated subsequently by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The frequency of default for many of these countries has been relatively high and this has been something that has caused a lot of stress and concerns for individuals in those sovereign countries that are simply trying to conduct good business today without being held back by the past."
Abstract This paper discusses how like everything else in life, the Internet has its darker side and how the developing countries experience it more than the developed countries. In particular, it examines how certain countries in Asia are dealing with theses negative impacts. The countries looked at are Malaysia, India and the Philippines and how they are dealing with the digital divide; Thailand, India and China and how they are dealing with exclusion by language; and Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam and Singapore and how they are dealing with cultural pollution.
Outline:
Abstract
Table of contents
Chapter one - Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Problem statement
1.3 Objectives
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Relevance of the Research
1.6 Scope and Limitation
1.7 Research Methodology
Chapter two - Literature Review
2.1 Early History of the Internet: The First Twenty Years
2.2 The Internet and Developing Countries 2.2.1 Internet Statistics - Host Distribution and User Demography
2.2.2 Cost and Fees
2.3 Positive Impacts of the Internet on Developing Countries 2.3.1 Education and Research
2.3.2 Health
2.3.3 Job Transfer into the Third World
2.4 Negative Impacts of the Internet on Developing Countries 2.4.1 The Digital Divide
2.4.2 Exclusion by Language
2.4.3 Cultural Pollution
Chapter Three - Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Nature of the Research
3.1.2 Cost
3.1.3 Accessibility
3.2 Advantages of Library/Desk Research
3.3 Disadvantages of Library/Desk Research
3.1.3 Accessibility
3.2 Advantages of Library/Desk Research
3.3 Disadvantages of Library/Desk Research
Chapter Four - Findings
4.1 Dealing with the Digital Divide
4.1.1 Malaysia and the Multimedia Super Corridor
4.1.2 India and the Software Technology Parks
4.1.3 The Philippines and her Plan to Bridge the Digital Divide
4.2 Dealing with Exclusion by Language
4.2.1 Thailand
4.2.2 China
4.2.3 India
4.3 Dealing with Cultural Pollution
4.3.1 Myanmar (Burma)
4.3.2 Vietnam
4.3.3 Singapore
Chapter Five - Summary of Findings, Limitations of the Study, Suggestions for Further Research and Conclusions
Summary of findings
Limitations of the Study
Suggestions for Further Research
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "In the Philippines, it is a similar story as that of Malaysia and India, in that the government is involved in the attempt to bridge the digital divide. In 2001, Macapagal-Arroyo's administration proved that it was serious about using information and communications technology to eliminate poverty. The president allocated an entire chapter of her economic agenda to bridging the so-called digital divide (Calimag, 2001). The Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas said that in the medium term, the Philippines government was committed to address the digitally disenfranchised, that is those who do not have access to computers. The government, he said, would address the continuing disparities in access to high-quality technologies. He stressed that in order for the country to live up to its goal of becoming a software development center and e-services hub of Asia, it had to strive to give firms and households access to quality information in real time. "
Abstract The writer of this paper discusses the basic tools needed for the economic development of poor and underprivileged countries which include: Capital accumulation, industrialization, foreign aid and development planning. This paper focuses on the years after WWII and up to the 1960s and the economic problems facing poor and under-developed countries. After WWII these countries could not rely on international trade. The less developed countries needed substantial capital and resources to start the industrialization process which would result in more jobs and an increase in productivity which in turn would increase the income of the working class citizen. The writer of this paper discusses the methods and strategies that were utilized to increase productivity in various Latin-American countries. This paper also touches on the World Bank's involvement in assisting these same countries while committing to end poverty and social injustice.
Outline:
Theories of Growth and Modernization
Structuralist Theories
Critique of the Growth and Modernization Models
A Shift to Basic Needs Approach
Bibliography
From the Paper "The Latin American experience with import substitution together with the fact that a large segment of the population did not get sizable benefits from the growth in the modern industrial sector and the limitation imposed by the domestic market led structuralists to adjust their approach beginning in the 1980's. Among the adjustments were: emphasis on developing the entrepreneurial class to lead in the export thrust without abandoning their basic proposition that development must come from within; redefine the role of the state by deemphasizing control-centered interventions in favor of a more facilitating kind."
Tags: business, import, export, financial, aid, world, bank, growth, industrialization, capital, theory
Abstract This paper examines the various gendered messages currently being sent by country music artists. It reviews and analyzes top country music songs and notes that the review illustrates the fact that men continue to dominate the country music business. The paper further notes that the analysis provided in the paper supports the claim that country music is becoming more progressive in its portrayals of women even though the clothing and body movements still emphasize women's sexuality as central. The paper then relates that the primary, homogeneous all-prevailing theme in country music is that of love and provides an analysis of 12 songs that deal with various types of relational love and how men and women represented in these songs do or do not conform to stereotypical (dating) scripts. The lyrics to the 12 songs reviewed as well as list of the top 30 country music songs are appended to the paper.
From the Paper "A review of the current top 30 songs (See Appendix 13) illustrates well the fact that men continue to dominate the country music business (in this case 6 of the 30 top songs are by women = 5:1). Many of the specific songs reviewed in this analysis support the comments above about the progressive portrayals of women. Campbell (2006) suggests that "gender operates throughout the whole constellation of images, attitudes, and operations attendant to country music" (p. 217). Contemporary artists like Shania Twin, Faith Hill and Gretchen Wilson prove that the feminist movement has not passed country music by, but is rather making inroads within the "confines of this conservative industry and fan base" (p. 218). "Country music videos offer a space for contemporary female artists to more visually and openly challenge that which their predecessors challenged in their time - the traditional, confining gender roles that dominant American culture espouses" (Wilson, 2000, p. 290). But as the music videos will support, the clothing and body movements still emphasize women's sexuality as central."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that achieving universal education is one of the UN's 8 Millennium Development Goals agreed to in 2000 by all the world's countries and the world's leading development institutions. The writer points out that although some progress has been made in increasing the level of education in most countries, a number of third world countries have fallen behind in their effort and are unlikely to achieve the goal by the target date of 2015. The writer outlines the benefits of education and discusses the co-relation between illiteracy and poverty. The writer then reviews the status of education in the third world countries. Finally, the writer enumerates the reasons for high levels of illiteracy in these countries and looks at how they can be overcome.
Outline:
Benefits of Education
Responsibility of Governments in Education and its Social Benefits
Individual/ Private Benefits
Co-relation between Poverty and Literacy
The State of Education in Third World Countries Reasons for the Continuing Low Education Levels
Overcoming the Barriers
References
From the Paper "There is a strong correlation between poverty and illiteracy. Wherever literacy rates are lower, poverty rates are invariably higher and vice-versa. The relationship between the two is a vicious circle as poor countries do not have sufficient resources to invest in education; most of the people who survive on incomes of less than 2 dollars a day cannot afford to send their children to school. On the other hand, a low literacy rate is a major barrier against personal improvement and prevents the poorest people to lift themselves out of the poverty trap.
"For example, in third world countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mozambique and Nepal, 78% or more of the population lives on incomes below US$2 per day, adult literacy rates are below 63%, and the number of adult illiterates exceeds 5 million in each country."
Abstract This report uncovers some of the trends in financial integration through globalization do in fact help developing nations grow faster and how financial integration affects macroeconomic volatility. The paper also suggests some benefits of financial globalization and how these scenarios could, if used properly, be fully harnessed. Through an examination of variables such as fixed and floating exchange rates, macroeconomic volatility and the roles played by governments, this report hones in on effects of financial globalization on developing countries. Includes several graphs and tables.
Introduction
Brief History of Globalization and Financial Globalization
Summary and Main Theme of the Paper
Organization of the Paper
Necessary Elements for Successful Financial Globalization
Benefits from Successful Financial Globalization
Conditions of Developing Countries for Accepting Financial Integration
Risks of Financial Globalization for Developing Countries Does Financial Integration Help Developing Countries Grow Faster?
How Does it Affect Macroeconomic Volatility in These Countries?
How Can the Benefits of Financial Globalization be Fully Harnessed?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Another way to harness globalization is to have sound government operations that promote strong and positive investment inflows from the international mutual funds. This government must be fully cognizant that they may have to relinquish some internal power so as to enhance the communication with the established global powers to be. Developing countries also can not overlook the risk factors that come along with the financial globalization. "Capital controls are advocated both as a way of preventing and managing this latter type of crisis, and as a regulatory remedy to mitigate excess borrowing in the first place, when financial regulation is too weak to address the moral hazard incentives of explicit and implicit government guarantees. (Little & Olivei, 1999)
Their independent macroeconomic policies and domestic governance does affect the entire process and an overvalued exchange rate or overextended domestic lending boom could create a global crisis. Developing nations must grasp that transparency entails dealing with international investors who may destabilize a developing country's financial markets if they are allowed to run free. Thus, to best harness and derive the benefits from financial globalization, developing nations must establish a foundation that is based on the volatility of international capital flows, macroeconomic policies and a sound governmental base."
Abstract There is great economic divergence between the countries of the world. The so-called first world or developed countries are affluent and growing richer, while the so-called third world or developing countries are poor, and some of them are growing poorer. The paper shows that economists are not entirely in agreement, but it does seem that economic divergence between developed countries and developing countries is increasing.
From the Paper "There is great economic divergence among the countries of the world. The first world or developed countries are affluent and growing richer, while the third world or developing countries are poor, and some of them are growing poorer. Economists are not entirely in agreement, but it does seem that economic divergence among developed countries and developing countries is increasing. Different explanations are offered for this, but most economists agree that corruption in developing countries is a major factor. This corruption must be traced back to its true roots: the wealthy companies from developed countries that stimulate this corruption by offering bribes."
Abstract This paper explores the deeper meaning behind the use of the word "country" in JFK's famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country." It provides the definition as given in Webster's Dictionary, and discusses the strong connection between 'country' and 'patriotism'. Kennedy's intentions in choosing this word are explored.
From the Paper "Certainly, the use of the word country has an interesting role in the narrative of JFK's speech. Prior to the speech, America had been through a difficult and tumultuous period, and his use of the word country was important in the context of that narrative. The word country helped evoke the feeling that the United States was indeed a unified and true land, and that recent events only played a part in its much larger, and noble history."
Tags: patriotism, presidency, US, etymology, narrative, political, people
Abstract This essay shows why developing countries should not fear MNEs. This essay discusses economic factors pertaining to this issue. Following a detailed analysis of the impact of MNEs, the writer demonstrates the case of South Korea, which is one of the 'Four Tigers'. The South Korea case forms an excellent example of the point made here above, namely, that MNEs and their investments need not to be feared but rather be encouraged by developing countries.
1. Introduction
2. Analytical Framework
2.1. The Nature of MNEs and Proposed Investment
2.2. Host Countries' Attributes
3. The Impact of MNEs on Developing Countries 3.1. Resource Transfer Effects
3.1.1. Capital
3.1.2. Technology
3.1.3. Management
3.1.4. Criticisms
3.2. Competition
3.3. Balance of Payments Account
3.4. Employment
4. The Case: South Korea
5. Conclusion
6. Reference List
From the Paper "Today's global economy characterized by free trade, free flow of capital and to certain extent free flow of management and technical personnel, is embodied by multinational enterprises (MNEs). Since the end of World War II, MNEs have made substantial investment for operating business in many developing countries. History has shown that MNEs, which undertook foreign direct investments (FDI) in developing countries, strongly contributed to the economic growth of these host countries, hence to the improvement of their living standards. The advantages of FDI generated by MNEs outweighed by far the disadvantages of FDI and the presence of MNEs in these countries, respectively. This is exhibited especially in the case of the four Tiger States in Asia, but also in Latin America and partly in Africa. In the end, the free market system has always proved itself as the major catalyst for economic growth."
Abstract This paper explains that, although no general definition for the term corporate governance exists, it can be viewed as a set of principles and rules by which a company is directed and controlled. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the author reports, are emphasising sound corporate governance codes to create better economies and consequently more attractive investment climates for future investors. The paper is based on a survey that focuses on the establishment of good corporate governance codes in this region which has been conducted by the Hawkamah Institute for corporate governance in Dubai.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What is Corporate Governance?
Who Benefits from Good Corporate Governance?
MENA Countries and their Recent Development
Corporate Governance in the MENA Countries - An Overview
Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance in Arab Countries Implementing Corporate Governance: Practice vs. Theory
The Survey
General Findings
Still at the Beginning
Board of Directors
Board Structure
Board Size
Establishing Board Committees
Board Meetings
One Director, One Board? Multiple Directorships
Managerial Labor Market
Executive Compensation, Risk Management
Internal Controls
Internal Audit
External Audit
Audit Committee
Transparency and Disclosure
What is being Disclosed?
Any Barriers Preventing Disclosure?
Shareholder Rights
Family Power in the MENA Region
Women on Boards
Conclusion
From the Paper "The financial disclosure of a firm includes all the financial information that arise within the company. This covers the bank's or company's balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, statement of equity and additional notes to the statements. There exist certain capital market regulations that enforce both banks and companies to adhere to. Non-compliance with those requirements is sanctioned."
Abstract This paper discusses that even though Westerners consider Saudi Arabia to be a backwards and uncivilized country, the writer claims that their national pride is just as strong as Americans. It shows that the citizens will do just as much to protect their country and heritage as any one else.
From the Paper "There are many different beliefs, ideas, and customs that come from different people in the world. And, people from different countries such as Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia feel the same way about their countries as Americans feel about America. They honor the traditions, believe in their country as a whole, and fight anyone who wants to attack it. And, they will also obey the old and new customs of their land. So, when they have visitors they expect them to respect their old fashion customs when entering the country. "
Tags: Saudi, Arabia, country, pride, national, heritage, culture, America
Abstract The following paper offers an overview of the impacts of globalization on developing countries, the arguments made against globalization, as well as corresponding rebuttals. Also identified are methods by which countries can reap the rewards of this process, while remaining realistic about its potential and its risks.
From the Paper "Globalization offers extensive opportunities for worldwide development, but this process is not progressing evenly. The richest 225 people in the world have a combined wealth equal to the annual income of the poorest 47% of the world's individuals. (Crafts 2) Countries that have been able to integrate with other nations are seeing faster growth and reduced poverty. However, many nations have not been so fortunate, especially in developing areas. One in four individuals across the world lives in abject poverty, without access to adequate food, clean water, sanitation, essential healthcare or basic education services. This is both the principal moral issue facing the world as well as the utmost menace to the future security and stability of the planet. Many of today's problems, such as war and conflict, mass migration, and environmental degradation are rooted in poverty and inequality."
