From the Paper
"This research will examine issue fronts concerning nepotism in the award of contracts or jobs in public administration. The research will set forth the background and context in which nepotism has emerged as an element of public administration and then discuss legal and ethical aspects informing the doling out of jobs and contracts by elected or appointed public officials to their relatives. The principal focus of research will be on small municipalities, but the connections between the vicissitudes of contract awards and other government practices and policies that entail competition for some kind of government funds can be seen in the wider area of affirmative action and minority-group grant and educational set-asides, as well as accompanying regulatory and bureaucratic apparatus.

The achievements of the American civil rights movement of the ..."

Abstract
The paper looks at the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and how its policies and oversights made problems worse in Southeast Asia and looks at Korea as an example. The paper looks briefly at the role of "crony capitalism" in Southeast Asia and focuses on Malaysia and Thailand in particular. The paper also examines structural factors, reviews the inherent irrationality of investors and explains the role of capital control regulations and premature liberalization in producing or deepening the crisis. The paper concludes that the IMF must allow developing nations to take matters into their own hands when looking at structural issues, while those countries must develop comprehensive oversight and "firewalls" that reduce cronyism and incompetence.

From the Paper
"The causes of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 are too numerous to be easily synthesized into one neat capsule. Nonetheless, looking at the matter from afar, it appears as though there was excessive foreign borrowing, far too much over-lending (although it is not clear if this over-lending was domestic, it may be inferred that too much bank capital went towards dubious, speculative ventures) and such an over-reliance upon foreign capital that, when the industrial sector began to slow down, the outflow of foreign capital was utterly debilitating."

Tags:capital, cronyism, loans, tenders, subsidies, investors

Abstract
The paper discusses how widespread disillusionment with communism, the chronic weakness of the Soviet economy, and the cumulative effect of government incompetence, cronyism, and corruption were the main factors that led to the fall of the USSR in 1991, despite the reforms instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev. The paper explains that he considered his glasnost and perestroika reforms to be a dramatic departure from the failed policies of his Kremlin predecessors, but most Soviet citizens scorned them as far too inadequate to address the overwhelming problems facing the USSR. The paper discusses how they were weary of the pervasive communist propaganda they had been subjected to for decades as five-year-plan followed five-year-plan while their standard of living kept declining.

From the Paper
"Widespread disillusionment with communism, the chronic weakness of the Soviet economy, and the cumulative effect of government incompetence, cronyism, and corruption were the main factors that led to the fall of the USSR in 1991, despite the reforms instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev. He considered his glasnost and perestroika reforms to be a dramatic departure from the failed policies of his Kremlin predecessors, but most Soviet..."

Tags:ethnic, conflict, caucasus

Abstract
This paper examines the Asian Financial crisis of 1997 and explores some of its causes. Using Korea as an example, the writer shows how the policies of the IMF made the economic situation worse. The paper also looks at structural factors, reviews the inherent irrationality of investors, and explains the role of capital control regulations (or initial lack thereof) in producing the crisis - or at least deepening it. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to prevent a repeat of the crisis. The writer suggests that the IMF must allow developing nations to take matters into their own hands when looking at structural issues - and those countries must develop comprehensive oversight and "firewalls" that reduce cronyism and incompetence.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the Asian Financial crisis of 1997 and explore some of the problems that clearly made this unfortunate event possible. Specifically, in addition to examining the causes of the catastrophe, this paper will look at the role of the IMF and how its policies and oversights made problems worse in Southeast Asia - with Korea being used extensively as an example. From there, the paper will look briefly at the role of "crony capitalism" in Southeast Asia; again, because of the spatial constraints, two nations in particular - Malaysia and Thailand - will be examined."

Tags:financial, crisis, asia

Abstract
This paper offers a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the recent widespread and violent protests erupting in South Africa due to increasing frustration and anger among working class and poor South Africans with incompetent and corrupt local government and continued inadequate delivery of basic municipal services like electricity, sanitation, water, healthcare and decent housing.

From the Paper
"The fall of Apartheid in ... created changes in South African government. From more democratic processes and wider political representation to increasing integration of society at all levels, changes wrought by the end of apartheid reverberated through South African society. Despite this progress toward democratic processes and values, the newly forged government was faced with major social challenges, especially where millions of poor were concerned. Chief among these concerns were the millions of South Africans living without access to healthcare, potable water, electricity..."

Tags:Mbeki, Zuma, ANC, neo-liberal reforms, poverty, inflation, unemployment, recession, foreign investment, cronyism, corruption, elections, accountability, anarchy, revolution, law enforcement, Citizens' Charter, Regulation of Gatherings Act

Abstract
This paper explains that, unlike scholarly works of political science, Chris Matthews in his book "Hardball" employs a highly readable journalistic style and brevity of expression, which will ensure the book's status as a modern-day version of Machiavelli's "The Prince". The paper points out that Matthew's compendium of handy quotes and anecdotes, when applied to the rarefied sphere of politics, tend to carry a considerable amount of truth. The paper also explains that Matthew's book focuses on the highest levels of political power including many case studies of former presidents. The paper then offers of brief biography of US President Bush and applies three of the book's aphorisms to Bush's political career.

From the Paper
"Another defining aspect of the Bush presidency is the sanctified doctrine of "it's not who you know; it's who you get to know." In other words, personal relationships are as important - if not more important- than professional competence, diplomatic savvy, and political intelligence. This principle has guided George W. Bush since his days as a baseball league owner, and it continues to do so during these dying days of his presidency: "The lesson is obvious. If you want to do business with someone, don't forget the personal aspect.""

Tags:anecdotes, privilege, cronyism, manipulate, savvy