Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States remain some of the most powerful economic forces in the world today, yet they seem unable to exert any real pressure upon China according to Reuters reporter Louise Egan. Their conflict with China over China's currency value exemplifies the greater power held by developingnations in the current world economy. The writer points out that despite increasing pressure from the G7 nations to ensure that China's currency more accurately reflect its real value, China seems unlikely to allow its currency rise according to G7 demands.
From the Paper "Once upon a time when the U.S. caught an 'economic cold,' the rest of the world, particularly the G24 nations would catch the flu. Now that has changed. Furthermore, of the powerful, developed nations, the EU block countries rather than America and Japan exercise more dominance and have more confidence in the wake of difficulties when negotiating with the developing world.
"The IMF has been somewhat caught in the middle of this war between the G7 and G24 war for dominance. Because it has an inclusive membership policy for all nations, it strives to be accommodating rather than polarizing, especially after it was criticized for being unduly harsh to developing nations when they were suffering their own financial difficulties. "
Abstract The paper reviews the policy of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to impose stringent conditions upon the loans it releases to developingnations. The paper pays especial attention to why the IMF approach hurts developingnations and how the lending policy of the Fund acts as a sort of neo-colonialism that perpetuates north-south global imbalances. Finally, the political nature of the IMF and how this manifests itself in the loan conditions of the Fund is touched upon. In the end, the paper maintains that the IMF would serve everyone better if it would narrow its scope of activities and focus on preventing fiscal crises rather than aggravating them in the world's poorest states.
From the Paper "The debilitating impact of IMF loan policies upon developing nations does great harm in a host of areas, but it is arguable that the greatest impact is felt in the realm of business-labour relations. To wit, the International Monetary Fund's unwavering commitment to "labour-market flexibility" has meant that labour laws and wage standards have been revised dramatically downward in nations that are already shouldering heavy loan obligations that they must wonder if they can ever pay off. According to a 1995 United Nations Trade and Development Report which Cavanagh and his team seize upon, the new "flexible" labour laws do not encourage an increase in productive capacity, and they surely do not encourage the creation of work. Instead, they make firing workers easier and they reduce the ability of unions to protect vulnerable employees (Cavanagh et al, 2000). In the end, the devastating reality for struggling men, women and (sometimes) children in poverty-stricken nations desperately trying to extricate themselves from one problem after another is that their governments' reliance upon IMF loans makes their job security, working conditions, wages and benefits (such as they are) entirely dependent upon the capricious whims of foreign corporate mavens who know that they can count upon the IMF to work on their behalf."
Tags: north-south developingnations fiscal crisis poverty trade, United Nations
Abstract This paper reviews the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature, as well as organizational and governmental online resources to determine how physics can be used to help developingnations become self-sufficient in food and water production. It particularly focuses on treadle irrigation pumps and how they have been accepted by developingnations.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Review
Summary
From the Paper "The treadle pump costs much less to operate, having no fuel and only limited repair and maintenance costs. For example, a cost analysis by Hyman (1995), cited in Perry & Dotson) compared treadle pumps and motorized pumps used in Senegal; this analysis showed that a cubic meter of water used in the irrigation of 0.5 hectares had an equivalent cost of $0.08 when supplied by the treadle pump which was just less than half the $0.17 cost for the same amount of water delivered by a motorized pump (Perry & Dotson, 2005).
The treadle pump also possesses a number of features which set it apart from other non-motorized irrigation pumps."
Abstract This paper answers three questions regarding the operation of a specific development program operating in developingnations. The website evaluated for the answers to these three questions was Srihaswani's 'Manual Skills for Self Reliance', found at http://www.srihaswani.com. The questions examined the goals of the organization and the role that gender plays.
From the Paper "This development group, Srihaswani, works in Southeast Asia in villages of mixed religious and ethnic backgrounds. It refers to itself as a creative manual skills for self-reliant development program. The primary development objectives of this group are to create self-sufficient, parallel, and local economies that are built on the creative manual labor of the local community. This is an important distinction. Firstly, it means that the organization strives to encourage the development of traditional skills that improve the quality of life of the community through creativity and through direct interaction. Secondly, the organization is distinct because their primary development objective isn't to increase the ability of the community to interact at the national or global level."
Abstract This paper argues that ,while environmental treaties are justified in their interference with issues traditionally related to state sovereignty, such interference allows nations to challenge environmental treaties. It explains that this was very clear in the case of the Convention on Climate Change when several nations, such as the United States and China, refused to abide by the treaty, and even more, did not follow its terms even after agreeing to them. The writer points out that one of the most noticeable factors here is that it is mainly the industrialized or developednations that have the power and strength to openly defy these treaties, while the Third World countries cannot for the simply reason that financial aid is, to some degree, partly dependant upon their national environmental laws. In this sense, an imbalance develops whereby the developed world has the choice to either reject or accept those treaties, and the Third World largely does not. From an analysis of this imbalance, and after proving it with reference to a number of global environmental treaties, this paper argues that the only solution lies in the creation of an international body for global environmental governance in which nations, regardless of their economic and political status, are equally represented. The aim of such a body would be to ensure respect for environmental treaties, eliminate imbalance,s and respond to one basic truth: the environment is a shared space, and one nation's abuse of it affects the lives of all people across the world. Thus, state sovereignty is an irrelevant issue here, as no nation has sovereignty over the environment.
From the Paper "The concept of national sovereignty has, since the emergence of nation-states, been regarded as sacred. At least, citizens and national governments have regarded their nation's sovereignty as sacred. That attitude was eventually transferred into law. Thereby, international law and treaties currently acknowledge and protect the principle of national sovereignty, conceding to a nation's rights to self determination and to resistance of external interventions in internal or national policies and decision making processes. However, while sovereignty is a popularly acknowledged and jealously protected political principle, sovereignty is not absolute and has its limitations. These limitations are defined by the interests of other nations and the collective welfare of all people and countries. Hence, no nation is absolutely sovereign and no government has the authority to act as it wishes within its national borders, arguing that it is protected by the principle of sovereignty. The simple fact of the matter is that in various international issues, most especially those relating to environmental policies, no country should have absolute sovereignty since, as emphasized by Robert Goodland and Herman Daly, the environment is not national but international or "universal" (1002-1003). Consequently, as relates to the environment, the concept of national sovereignty is a contentious issue."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion on globalization and how it is viewed by both the Western, developednations and many Third World nations. The paper also examines what both sides construe as the positive and the negative effects of globalization. Paper includes an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "Nationalism is one of the most powerful forces that direct the actions and behaviour of government and citizens. It is most often expressed at high levels when a government and a people feel that their country is under threat, whether this is a real or an imagined threat. An example of a real threat is war, and example of an imagined threat is the belief that globalization is a deliberate strategy adopted by the West, led by the United States, to colonize the world. However, as emphasized in Marianne Gullestad's article, "Invisible Fences: Egalitarianism, Nationalism, and Racism," the notion of globalization as a threat is a popular one, found in practically the majority of world countries, both East and West. The Eastern or third world view of globalization as a conspiracy by the West to dominate their cultures, eliminate their identities and finally undermine their national identities and their right to define, and pursue their national self-interest, may be a bit understandable. However, at the first glance, the Western view regarding globalization as a conspiracy that will gradually undermine their distinctive national cultures and ethnic identity over time, may not be as understandable. This view, supported by reference to rising legal and illegal immigration rates, is hard to accept. This is especially so due to the fact that this argument claims that the conspiracy is carried out by the Eastern, or the weak Third world, against the powerful West. However, regardless of whether or not this entire idea of globalization as a conspiracy is accurate or imagined, many around the world view globalization as a threat to national identity. Therefore, while globalization was believed to be the solution to political, cultural and economic differences between nations, with its supports stating that it was going to create a global form of nationalism and culture, globalization has led to a rise in extremist, or fanatical nationalism throughout many parts of the world, both East and West. The claim that fanatical nationalism is increasing as a response to globalization is proven through both the activities of Islamic fundamentalists on the one hand, and the rising popularity of right wing political groups and racist and extremist nationalist slogans in many countries of the West, on the other."
Abstract This paper examines how economic development of any country promotes the trade and business and how free trade and liberalization in trade policies, on behalf of the governments, help the businesses to flourish and effectively compete in the world market. The writer covers the issues related to the economic development of the developingnations and discusses the aspects that have caused hindrance in the economic development of these countries. Finally the paper cites the example of a developing country (India) and discusses how liberalization in trade has helped it in making remarkable achievements with respect to economic growth and to bring improvements in its industry and trade.
From the Paper "In an era of increased globalization and advancements in technology, it has become increasingly important for all of the nations of the world to keep bringing improvements in their economic infrastructure and to expand their businesses on the global scale. It has been observed that without a reasonable level of economic development any country cannot gain a competitive position in the world market. This is the dilemma faced by most of the developed nations of the world."
Abstract This paper briefly explains that there are many issues facing underdeveloped nations today. It examines whether these countries should give up their agriculture sector in order to become well-developednations.
From the Paper "There are several factors which have a negative impact on the agriculture industry. There are few paved roads to transport the goods, creating a longer delivery time to the markets, and a high rate of spoilage. Erosion and deforestation are reducing the amount of cultivatable acreage, bad weather such as drought or flooding can devastate entire crops, and lack of irrigation systems in these areas can result in a shortened growing season."
Abstract This paper examines the current situation Mozambique and the potential for growth in this developingnation. Several aspect of Mozambique are presented and analyzed. These involve the country's potential for becoming more economically independent. The major issues facing the population are discussed, such as health, education and employment. The author concludes that although Mozambique is still developing there is great potential for an economically independent nation.
Introduction
Economic Environment
Start-Up Costs
Financing Resources
Actions that Might be Taken to Obtain Financing for the Business
Global Information Needs
Global Information Sources
Technology for Managing Information
Staffing
Training and Development Performance Appraisal
Compensation
Economic and Financial Risks
Social and Cultural Risks
Political and Legal Risks
Risk Management Techniques
Conclusion
From the Paper "Since 1996, Mozambique has attained self-sufficiency in grains and, presently, cereal and cassava production is more than the national needs. But even now the agricultural productivity is below the African and regional average, and there is considerably great amount of unexploited potential for further growth. (Economic Overview) The capital of the country is at Maputo and the population is nearly 19 million. The life expectancies are very low with the figure being 37.83 years for males and 36.34 years for females. There are very few doctors and only a little over half of the population has access to safe drinking water. (Mozambique: Fact File) "
Tags:Developing, world, 3rd, world, Africa, South, Africa
Abstract The writer of this paper contends that the reason the internet is such a big part of globalization is due to the fact that for the first time in history, any individual in any part of the world can communicate in a completely uncensored way over the entire planet. This paper focuses on the combination of nationalism and isolationism within the realm of the internet. This paper examines the advantages of nationalism that began to flourish, thanks in large part to internet technology, as the first world nations and the rest of the industrialized world separated itself from the less capable or developednations. This paper analyzes the numerous aspects of the internet which are far different from other mediums as it provides a way to present information in a variety of approaches, each uniquely different and targeted to a specific audience. The paper also discusses the downside to the internet and advanced technology, in that it has become a source of isolationism in many third world countries. The writer claims that internet access on a global scale has a definite negative stigma which has been termed the 'digital divide.' This paper examines how the movement of globalization and strong nationalism has isolated third world nations. The writer contends that while nationalism flourishes, attention must be given to the those third world countries that have become more and more isolated due to their inability to bring technology to their citizens.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Internet
Nationalism & Globalization
Isolationism
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "The internet is basically a way for organizations, parties and movements to present them selves in the same way as we would look at a magazine, newspaper, radio shows or television presentations. The unique aspects of the Internet that is different from these other mediums because it provides a way to present information in a plethora of ways, each way uniquely different for however the target audiences may be. In the same respect, the Internet can personalize 'homepages,' or web sites to also present a very individual message for different audiences. The Internet, therefore, is a much more public and at the same time personal provider of information. This also entails that a majority of the Internet is completely dominated by individual users such as newsgroups, chats, BBS while other parts are completely commercial business related."
Abstract This essay tells of Uzbekistan's endeavor to become a developednation. It details the many problems associated with the transformation of Uzbekistan into a developing country. Some of these problems include corruption, problems with the country's arid terrain and the challenge of switching from a policy of havoc to one of order with the necessary government agencies in place. The paper then presents the different steps that are necessary to be to taken in order to ensure a successful transformation. The author then discusses the prospects for successful development when faced with many difficult challenges.
From the Paper "In Uzbekistan state enterprises are being changed into shareholding companies, and private enterprises account for 45 percent of all registered firms. However, these businesses make decisions to set prices, output, and investment on a non-market base. Economic reform has been limited and frequently ineffective. Foreign investment has been low, and the government of Uzbekistan has been reluctant to undertake the reform measures advocated by the IMF, The World Bank, and other international economic organizations. Corruption, inefficiency, and bureaucratic resistance frequently stifle efforts to develop new business initiatives."
Abstract This paper is a comprehensive research paper that outlines the history, purpose and structure of the UN; and combines that with a close examination of the issue of poverty, the key UN agencies tasked with reducing poverty, and a case study detailing the elements of successful public works programs. The paper asserts that the UN has established the "best practices" in establishing public works programs in developingnations.
From the Paper "When people think of the United Nations they often consider only the peacekeeping missions and the sometimes controversial roles the UN has played in world politics. But the central role of the United Nations is not only peacekeeping. The central role of the United Nations is indeed the promotion of peace and security but also development and human rights. The role of the UN in developing programs to better life for suffering peoples around the world was recognized ..."
Tags: UN, United Nations, poverty, public works, workfare, humanitarian, aid, poor, destitute, extreme poverty, Africa, South Africa, Asia
Abstract This paper analyzes globalization in developing countries, contrasting the arguments made by neoliberal theorists and dependency theorists. The paper quotes the argument that the key factor limiting development in much of the world is the continued dominance of rent-collecting elites, neither caused by nor eliminated by globalization.
From the Paper "In the last few years, globalization has become a topic of global controversy. Since the late ?'s, major trade conferences and other institutional events associated with economic globalization have become regular sites of mass protests, the protesters evidently being fully as globalized in character as the organizations that they are protesting against. Many of the specific objections to economic globalization are local in spite of the global scope of the anti-globalization movement."
Abstract This paper examines the elements that determine why some developing countries have managed to achieve higher rates of economic growth in the post-Second World War period while others have stagnated in comparison. The paper tests several theoretical frameworks and models developed in order to see if these can explain the differences, and if not, why not.
Tags: globalization, economic growth, Kenya, Malaysia, developingnation, capitalism
Abstract This paper traces the root of the obstacles blocking economic development of many underdeveloped countries back to the Bretton Woods agreement. The paper argues that as a result of this agreement, many of the war-torn countries that needed to rebuild themselves after World War II were, compared to the industrialized nations, at an automatic disadvantage because of their relatively lower productivity and sometimes non-existent infrastructures. The paper also suggests that this automatic disadvantage has had a lasting legacy and that the U.N. and the international bodies that came out of the Bretton Woods agreement still create obstacles to economic development for less developednations. The paper also takes a look at the consequences of an imbalance in opportunities for economic development and concludes that in order to close the gap between wealthy and poor nations, a more sociologically and ethically based approach to global governance is required.
Introduction
The Bretton Woods Legacy
All Pigs are Not Equal
Current Contributions to the Rich-Poor Gap of Nations Consequences of Inequality of Wealth for the "Right to Development"
Conclusion
From the Paper "Had it not been for the Great Depression (beginning in 1929) and World War II (1939-1945), there might have been no Bretton Woods Conference, no International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank) no International Monetary Fund. Nor would there have been, arguably, the current divergence between rich nations and poor, or at least, the gulf might not have been so deep and so well-defined. The "destruction caused by war and the money nations spent fighting it" harmed most of the European and Asian economies, leaving only the United States, among industrialized nations, not in need of rebuilding its infrastructure or its economy (Earth Explorer, 1995). Now, however, it seems there is economic destruction of another kind, founded in an imbalance of payments and opportunity that has resulted in virtual negation of the Right to Development that would appear to be a legitimate claim of any nation."
