|
|
| by Christopher
Spencer |
Former Senior
Advisor International Organizations, Canadian Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade |
| Updated: 25 MAY
09 | |
F.H.Abed"Micro-Credit, Poverty and Development: the Case of Bangladesh"Behind the Headlines
Vol.57/ No.2-3 (Winter/Spring 00):-micro-credit -small loans made to poor households/individuals
to finance small-scale entrepreneurial activities- has expanded rapidly(world target is now $20b),
and encouraged hope for major cost-effective global poverty-reduction. "NGOs in Asia, Africa,
and Latin America are largest providers of micro-credit to those sections of society - rural
landless, disadvantagedwomen, marginal farmers, and wage labourers - who depend largely on
selling their labour for a living" (12). These target groups reflect the fact that it is often the only
way very poor can break cycle of povertyresulting from a lack of collateral and exorbitant local
interest charges. It produced high success ratesnot only in poverty-reduction(and repayment:
98%)but in social reform, economic development, education/training, and growth of assets for
both borrowers/lenders, which is reinvested. Abed, director ofBangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee, among world's largest NGO's, offers much globally-relevant information:big issues/
questions; scale/approach/result; specialties(income-useful education, social development).
Francis Kofi Abiew & Tom Keating "Outside Agents and the Politics of Peacebuilding and
Reconciliation" International Journal Vol.LV/No.1(Winter 99-00):-discusses new policy towards,
often mixed experience with peacebuilding. Recent global trends:(1)major increase in intra-state
violence;(2)multilateral emphasis on individual human rights/security, and hence humanitarian
interventions. "In this context...peacebuildingemerged as central part of what rest of world to
offer to divided societies" i.e. not just hostilities end but all necessary for sustainable peace. Yet
past problems/ limitations demand careful look at practicality/ suitability/ethics of outside
intervention in support of peace building in divided societies. Analyse variousmotivations behind
such intervention; then objectives: not just peace but also market democracy/ "politics of
reconciliation." Unhappy(Canadian)experience in Haiti dissected to draw lessons.
Morton Abramowitz & Thomas Pickering "Making Intervention Work: Improving the UN's Ability
to Act"(100-108) Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.5(Sep/Oct 08):-official summary:"In the face of grave
humanitarian crises in countries such as Myanmar and Sudan, the international community has
failed to back up its rhetoric with deeds. To adequately address such situations, the United
Nations must streamline its decision-making, strengthen its peacekeeping capabilities, and
create a crisis-response force". Emphasized extracts:"International clamor must produce
results, not simply more clamor". "The UN needs a limited force to respond to humanitarian
disasters and prevent conflicts from spiraling out of control". Abramowitz is a Senior Fellow at
the Century Foundation and former US Ambassador to Thailand and Turkey. Pickering is Vice
Chair of Hills & Company and has served as US Ambassador to six countries and the UN.
Paul R.Abramson & Ronald Inglehart Value Change in Global Perspective (Ann Arbor: Univ. of
Michigan Press 95):-makes statistical survey of most major countries, rich and poor, to
demonstrate that there is a generational trend for public opinion to change from primary concern
with Materialism(economic development, security, etc.) to Postmaterialism (democracy, human
rights). For another viable option available, so many can reflect the change in their global values,
see: Kimon Valaskakis et al., The Conserver Society: A Workable Alternative for the Future
(Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside 79).
Diane Ackerman et al., The New Age of Discovery: A Celebration of Mankind's Exploration of the
Unknown (Toronto: Time Canada 97):-although"popular"in format, purpose/content are serious:
17 thoughtful essays contributed by leading scientists and academics. Aim is to survey where
scientific discovery now stands, and where it is taking us. Many topics are or will be global
and/or UN issues: health/ageing; defence against asteroids; DNA/climatic discoveries and
implications; "Third World" -relevant technology; genderdifferences; care of global commons
and indigenous peoples; extraterrestrial life; new energy forms; ethical computing;
"homogenization" of world; special global challenges. Relatively easy place to start looking at
trends and prospects- particularly if your background not in science. Survey is just example
ofvaluable collections of what are in fact 21st-Century global issues, put together by good
general periodicals(dailies, weeklies, monthlies),often to mark occasions like anniversaries or
new years/decades. Those fitting our purposes here would be forward-looking, deal with
subjects global in scope or importance, be written by top impartial authorities, and preferably
offer reading lists.
AFRICA: CURRENT PROBLEMS, SOURCES, AND SUGGESTED CURES: MEDIA SELECTION
John Grimond "Africa's Great Black Hope: Survey of South Africa" (1-16); "Africa's Elusive
Dawn" (Edit 17-8); "Aid to Africa" (59); "South African Governance: The End of Minority Rule"
(Bus.66)The Economist 24 Feb 01:-these four pieces complement each other. Even if two
concentrate on South Africa, its leading economic/political roles make it continent's bell-wether
- in success or failure. Editorial bitter: "Africa's parlous condition dreadful condemnation of
mankind's collective efforts to end poverty and promote freedom...[While]Millennium African
Renaissance Programme[made South Africa's president Mbeki call firstfor]'critical examination
of Africa's post-independence experience, and acceptance that things have to be done
differently'" ,editor chastises rich world for its tariffs, quotas, farm subsidies, unfavourable terms
of trade, weapons sales, debt inducement, tied/declining ODA - and for supporting corrupt
Africanregimes/prohibitive drug prices. Africa deserves both more support/better leaders. ODA
article stressesincreased British interest in helping poorest countries, i.e. mostly African which
received about 1b poundsin bilateral/multilateral aid in 99-00. UK will concentrate on getting new
technology/skills to students and would-be teachers, on debt relief, on police training and on
peacekeeping. Business item notes although,when South Africa's present rulers still rebels
threatened to nationalize big business; in power they have brought better corporate governance
through greater efficiency and transparency. "Break-up of old conglomerates coincided with
attempts to create new class of black businessmen" .Survey's analyses, whileconcentrating on
South African economic, social and political situation, have much relevance for whole of
Sub-Saharan Africa - and whole Third World. Two over-riding realities are:(1)elimination of very
rich, long-entrenched and well-armed racist regime, in refined/orderly way, and without expected
bloodbath(in continent only too experienced with ethnic dominations/bloodbaths);but(2)
apartheid's replacement by equal or worse horror: AIDS(now threatening all Third World).In
addition, relatively high (for Africa)average per capita income disguises "extremes of wealth and
poverty rivalled only in Brazil: South Africa really both first world and third world
country...Fortunately, long wait for freedom...provided time...to see how other countries coped
with self-government. And it brought goodwill, not least because South Africa blessed with
leadership of statesman of heroic proportions...Spirit of generosity seemed to characterise not
just Mandela but new South Africa as a whole" .Survey discusses:(1)Land(Re)Distribution: with
apartheid,white 15% of population effectively owned 87% of land, including all best;(2)Education:
takes 21% of budget/5.7% of GNP, but still mixes some of best and worst schools in
world;(3)Violent Crime: "threatensnot just South Africans' security but very basis of their
society" mainly for socio-historic reasons;(4)HIV/AIDS: "makes most other problems seem
trivial" with UNAIDS estimating 4.2m people HIV-positive; life expectancy expected to fall from
60 to 40 years by 08; social custom/ government policy at fault;(5)Racial Equality: affirmative
action and "black economic empowerment" encouraged by law, butracial gaps are probably
diminishing mainly through constitutional ban on discrimination;(6)Employment and Investment:
both face major shortfalls, although policy aims at" growth, employment and redistribution" ;"
only40% of economically active population employed in formal" sectors;(7)Justice: made much
apparent progress: Constitution aims high, but partly unenforceable; independent Supreme
Court; Human Rights Commission against discrimination; novel Truth and Reconciliation
Commission provided neither, butoffered "day in court" ;(8)Non-Blacks: about 250,000
whites(officially or unofficially)emigrated since majority rule, but those staying generally do not
suffer: Afrikaners have adapted well; Indians have lost economically, and Coloureds complain
they are "not black enough" ; Appraisal: is generally good, considering where things started and
African comparisons; biggest problems social: continuing dominance of racial concerns and
income gaps; catastrophe of AIDS and its socio-economic impact.
Salman Ahmed"No Size Fits All: Lessons in Making Peace and Rebuilding States"Foreign
AffairsVol.84/No.1(Jan/Feb 05):-Review Essay by Senior Political Officer, Office of UN USG for
Peacekeeping Operations who served in Cambodia, South Africa, Bosnia/Herzegovina,
Afghanistan and Iraq. Providesanalysis of the argumentation of three books: Roland Paris At
War's End: Building Peace After Civil Conflict(Cambridge: Cambridge Univ.Press 04); Kimberly
Zisk Marten Enforcing the Peace: Learning From the Imperial Past(New York: Columbia Univ.
Press 04); John Mueller The Remnants of War(Ithaca: Cornell Univ.Press 04). All three
draw"attention to important lessons that deserve serious consideration from policymakers and
practitioners...Still, these authors make too much of similarities among cases they study and not
enough of differences. And by using them to extrapolate bold models for state reconstruction,
authors belie inherent complexities of task...Specifics of...conflicts - their scale as well as their
historical geopolitical/socioeconomic roots - should inform how peace brokered/maintained. Yet
none...pays enough attention to such fundamental considerations."Essay is worth reading - as
a survey of all the issues faced by the UN when easing post-crisis problems.
AIDS: THIRD WORLD: INFECTION RATES AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC ISSUES
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is viewed increasingly as the most serious challenge facing global
society. Almost all material on this subject is found in the media and is included in RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS. To reach all media selections relating to AIDS, click on AIDS Third World.
John B. Alexander, Future War: Non-Lethal Weapons in Twenty-First Century Warfare(New York:
St. Martin's Press 99):-excellent study of immense potential of non-lethal weapons, and impact
of global trends on aims of security. Assumed US/NATO must(via UN)be world police force.
Emerging threats for armed forces/police are: powerful criminal/terrorist organizations, together
with transnational/religiousbodies/groups seeing themselves as politically, economically or
socially deprived. Wide range of non-lethal weaponry includes acoustic, biological, chemical,
electromagnetic weapons, physical restraints, low-impact projectiles, information warfare.
Useful scenarios: peace support(UN)operations; technologicalsanctions; strategic paralysis;
hostages or barricades. Issues addressed: practical limitations, strategicimplications, moral
opposition, legal considerations, and constraints on "winning" .
Mark Almond, Europe's Backyard War: The War in the Balkans(London: Heinemann
94):-combination of background information on post-Yugoslav conflicts and military/political
conduct to publication date. Highly critical of diplomatic actions of virtually all involved,
including most Yugoslav groups, UN and European bodies. Gives prescient warning of ominous
precedent set by failure in Balkans.
Philip G. Altbach and Roberta Malee Bassett "The Brain Trade: Prime Numbers" Foreign
PolicyNo.144(Sep/Oct 04):-among very influential "globalizing" events today are the growing
millions of Third World post-secondary students attending universities in rich Western countries.
Many gain access to key ideas of modern society and/or operate in English, so later lives will be
influenced by "worldly" visions. Despite new global concerns with terrorism" there is no holding
back the flow of students seekingeducation beyond their borders" ;Australia recently estimated
the "total number of international students will increase to 8m by 2025." Regarding content,"
literature and arts take back seat[;] three fields dominate:business/management, engineering,
mathematics/computer sciences." About 80% of world's foreign students are from Asian
countries; the following states include universities with 100,000+ enrolled throughdistance
education: China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey.
Leadingreceiver countries(with the rough total of foreign students 2000/01): Australia(70,000),
Britain(223,000),France(135,000), Germany(185,000), US(547,000). Since most foreign students
pay for their own study/livingexpenses, first two depend on their income to help support public
universities. "Many migrants maintainstrong ties from abroad, some eventually return home, and
growing numbers of highly educated contribute to their home societies by providing expertise
and investment. But loss of significant numbers of best and brightest remains problem for many
poorer societies" . It may then be related to expenses that "increasingnumber[of potential
foreign student payers is]looking for new options in developing world" ;emergence
ofmega-universities in India and China may soon alter balance of'brain trade'forever.
Lawrence K.Altman "Report Shows AIDS Epidemic Slowdown in 2005"New York Times 30 May
06:- "Newsurveys suggest that global AIDS epidemic has begun to slow, with decline in new HIV
infections in about 10 countries, leader of UNAID program said. Outside of those countries,..
number of new AIDS infections continues to rise or hover at its current pace. Meanwhile, public
health efforts are reaching only a small proportion of people at risk, Dr.Peter Piot, executive
director of UNAIDS, said at news conference in UN NYC ...India has 5.7m infected people and
South Africa 5.5m, but India's population far greater. Showing no sign of decline, South Africa
has a prevalence rate of about 19% of 47m people.In India, rate is less than 1% of its population
of 1.1b. Progress against AIDS in some regions represents dividends from a surge in financing
since 2001, when UN pledged its commitment to stem epidemic by 2010. Declaration called for
countries to report regularly on their responses to AIDS. This week, UNGAwill receive the
progress that 126 countries have said they have made. Report(op.cit.), most comprehensive
survey ever compiled from country data, pointed to the 2001 UN meeting as a turning point for
AIDS financing. In 2005,.. world spent $8.3b on AIDS, compared with $1.6b in 2001. 'We areseeing
the impact', Piot said. He cited increased condom use, a rise in postponement of sexual
intercourse and a decrease in number of sex partners as factors in slowing of epidemic.
Summarizing report's findings, Piot said '2005 was least bad year in the history of the AIDS
epidemic'... Despite thepositive trends, Piot reported grim findings from China, Indonesia, Papua
New Guinea, Russia andVietnam(op.cit.), with signs of outbreaks in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Ending the pandemic will depend largely on changing social norms like empowering women,
reducing stigma of the disease andencouraging a greater reduction in the number of sex
partners, report said. Most countries have strong foundations for building an effective response
against AIDS, report said, but systems to carry out plansremain inconsistent. Thoroughness of
the individual national reports varied, and many countries did not provide data for all
categories... Still, replies identified significant weaknesses, he said. Fewer than 50%of young
people achieved comprehensive knowledge levels about HIV, far fewer than the 90% goal.
Only9% of gay men and fewer than 20% of intravenous drug users received any kind of HIV
prevention help in 2005. Services to prevent HIV infections in infants have not scaled up as
rapidly as programs to provide antiretroviral therapy. Just 9% of pregnant women were covered...
Report shows that epicenterof the epidemic remains in sub-Saharan Africa. There epidemic has
reached peak, but incidence remains unacceptably high, Piot said. Across most of Africa, HIV
prevalence among pregnant women attendingclinics has remained roughly level for several
years. UN disputed contentions by some observers thatthe leveling off showed a turning point
in the AIDS epidemic in Africa... Piot said, 'actual number of people infected continues to rise
because of population growth'" ; Lawrence K.Altman "U.N. Urges Tripling of Funds by '08 to Halt
AIDS" NYT 01 Jun 06:- "Stopping epidemic of AIDS will require $22b/year by 2008 and possibly
more in following years, officials of UNAIDS program said. The $22b is nearly triplethe $8.3b
spent 05 by all sources, including governments and private sector. Urging that countries spend
more, UNSG Kofi Annan said a costlier and more sustained effort needed because AIDS
'hasspread further, faster and with more catastrophic long-term effects than any other disease'...
Of projectedfigure, half is needed for prevention and a quarter for treatment and care of infected
people. Remainderis for care of orphans, children at risk of becoming infected and program
costs. UNSG and Piot of UNAIDS spoke as UNGA began meeting aimed at renewing political
commitment and setting new goals for expenditures and for measuring progress... Annan urged
delegates to challenge countries trying to avoid goals that mention gay people, prostitutes,
intravenous-drug users and others at high risk of becoming infected. 'Governments concerned
need to be realistic and responsible', UNSG said. He also said that 'if we are here to try to end
the epidemic, we will not succeed by putting our head in the sandand pretending that these
people do not exist or they do not need help'... Report cards showed that most countries missed
more goals than they met. More than 20m have become infected since 2001 meeting.Now
countries must fundamentally change the way they think and deal with epidemic, moving from
crisis management to 'sustained attention and the kind of "anything it takes" resolve that
member states apply to preventing global financial meltdowns or wars' , Piot said... Global
Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS released a study showing that private companies have become
more likely to provide treatment for employees as cost of antiretroviral drugs has fallen over last
six years, to $140-$300/year,from $10,000. In African countries with a high prevalence, more than
70% of companies surveyed arefully subsidizing access to HIV treatment, coalition said.
Study...found increasing trend to expand such treatment to employees' dependents. Companies
also offering access to voluntary testing/counseling" ; Lawrence K.Altman & Elisabeth Rosenthal
"U.N. Strengthens Call for a Global Battle Against AIDS" NYT 02 Jun 06:- "[UNGA] adopted
strongly worded declaration [02 Jun] aimed at pressing nations of the worldto strengthen their
battle against AIDS, global pandemic [UNSG] called 'greatest challenge of our generation'.
Language of document surprised even anti-AIDS groups, which said that while it did not satisfy
all their objectives, they had feared it would be watered down... Nonbinding declaration reaffirms
commitments made in 01, when UN defined AIDS as far more than a medical issue, framing it in
terms of political/human rights/ economic survival... New document is political blueprint, not
plan of action.Calls for strong commitment to bolster the rights of women/girls so they can
protect themselves from infection with HIV... Declaration calls on countries to: use scientifically
documented prevention strategies, including condoms;make clean needles accessible to drug
users; take steps to provide universal access to prevention programs/ care/antiretroviral drugs.
Includes politically charged terms like 'condoms' /'vulnerable groups' , though those groups not
specified... Countries expected to measuretheir progress over next 5 years against targets to be
determined by UN... Said world will need to spend up to $23b/year by 2010... Earlier in day, UNSG
Annan delivered a gloomy assessment, saying world waslosing the battle. 'The epidemic
continues to outpace us' , he told packed UNGA. 'There are more new infections than ever
before; more deaths than ever before; more women/girls infected than ever before'... [US' s]
Mrs.Bush speech steered away from many of the criticisms that have been labled against
administration, notably that it promotes sexual abstinence over scientifically proven
strategies,particularly condom use. Indeed, she said, 'ABC'model - initials stand for abstain, be
faithful and usecondoms - had brought sharp declines in infections in Africa. Britain's
international development[minister] said in interview: abstinence alone did not work ...Dr. Peter
Piot [UNAIDS] said: while nodocument could make anyone '100% happy', final version was 'a
major advance'and far stronger thanweaker drafts circulating earlier in week" .
Roger C.Altman "The Great Crash, 2008: A Geopolitical Setback for the West"(2-14) Foreign
Affairs Vol.88/No.1(Jan/Feb 09):-official summary:"The economic collapse of 2008, the worst in
over 75 years, is a major geopolitical setback for the West. It has stripped Wshdc and European
governments of the resources and credibility they need to maintain their roles in global affairs.
These weaknesses will eventually be repaired, but in the meantime they will accelerate trends
that are shifting the world's center of gravity away from the US". Emphasized extracts:"The
crisis' underlying cause was the combination of very low interest rates and unprecedented levels
of liquidity". "US deficit for the fiscal year that began in Oct 08 will approach $1 trillion - or 7.5%
of US GDP". Altman is Chair/CEO of Evercore Partners. Was US Deputy Treasury Secretary 93-4.
Sudhir Anand & Amartya K.Sen Sustainable Human Development: Concepts and Priorities(New
York: UNDP/ODS 96):-tries to provide rationale for bringing together narrowly environmental
viewof "sustainable" world and case for eliminating "inequities" in living conditions. Argument
for "human development" (pushed by UNDP/World Bank/this bibliography)made well, but its role
in population controland easing pressure on the planet's carrying capacity mentioned only
weakly and indirectly. Generaleconomic development( "overall opulence" )criticized as
"partisan" for failing "to take note of need for impartiality in allocating entitlements"
i.e.collective statistics hide unacceptable inequities. Imbalanced - or at least imperfect - defence
of key imperatives.
Chris Anderson, "The Young(stressing Youth and Age)" The Economist 23 Dec 00(Survey
1-16):-explorescauses/ elements/global impact of major social trend, strong in North America,
spreading through advanced/emerging societies and already changing poorer countries(Japan,
Germany, China)." About...growing influence of young adults in world, and especially working
world...thanks to convergence of forces that play to youth's strength -from technology to...pace
of change to...tearing down of traditional...order.[T]hey are...first young who are both in position
to change world, and are actually doing so.[Y]oung people increasingly make own environment,
thanks to shift in power that gives them opportunity, responsibility and tools once reserved for
their elders" .Rapid, relentless pace ofchange(technological/social)favours young, since they
learn/relearn faster/easier/can afford to risk more to try new things(including jobs).In
organizations, hierarchies of mature giving way to meritocracies in order to compete/ survive,
initiate/adjust to change, and as knowledge/skill/even experience needs constant
updating/replacement. Youth: welcome change; think flexibly/technologically;
exploit(mobile)skills; riskfutures; prefer opportunity to wealth/ security; demand/deserve
respect. "Youth and Government" in issue(61-2)reports youth's growing role/impact in
decision-making.[ "W]ell-prepared input can be more influential than[votes - point often made
about NGOs' power being in knowledge]Young people...are not only leaders of tomorrow;
increasingly they are leaders of today" .
Kofi A. Annan, "The Quiet Revolution" Global Governance Vol.4/No.2(Apr-Jun 98):-fine updating
of Secretary-General worldview and priorities. Globalization is "most rapid reconfiguration
of...economic geography ever" so UN must exploit"mutual benefits of change while managing
adverse effects...UN's past pattern of incremental adaptations will not suffice." Must do what "it
does better than others" ;collaborate more with international bodies/civil society: NGOs
/business/academe. UN aim"strategic resource deployment, unity ofpurpose, coherence of
effort/agility/flexibility" .
Kofi A. Annan, "Two Concerns of Sovereignty: International Intervention in Humanitarian Crises"
The Economist18 Sep 99(49-50):-UNSG gives his views on basic issues. Inaction in Rwanda and
interventions in Kosovo(no authority) and East Timor(too little too late)all justify criticism. We
need consensus "not only... that massive and systematic violations of human rights must be
checked...but also on ways of deciding what action is necessary, and when, and by whom."
Critical points: "intervention" should not be understood as referring only to use of force; we
need redefinition of sovereignty and broader definition of national interests that "would induce
states to find greater unity in pursuit of common goals and values...today,collective interest is
national interest" ;if force is necessary, Council must uphold Charter; act "in defence of our
common humanity" ;ceasefires do not end commitments.
Kofi A. Annan, "Preventing War and Disaster: A Growing Global Challenge" , Annual Report on
the Work of the Organization 1999, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations(New York:
DPI/2058; Sales No: E.99.1.29-Sep 1999):-after a convincing plea for more cost-saving global
efforts to foresee, prevent, or reduce human and natural crises, Annan summarizes all major UN
activities over year to Sep 99, and selected plans and problems(in 130pp). Chapters address:
peace and security; development; humanitarian issues; globalization; legal order; human rights;
administration. Overall impression: hard-won progress implementing UN
obligations/reforms/savings are frustrated by Members' selfishness/lack of political will/financial
irresponsibility. HUMAN RIGHTS concerns form a major portion of the Report, providing virtually
the entire thrust of the chapter on International legal order(90-6)since it highlights the
International Criminal Court and the Tribunals for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Annan ends:"
the pursuit of development, the engagement with globalization, and the management of change
must all yield to human rights imperativesrather than the reverse. Respect for human rights..is
central to our mandate" (96).
Kofi A. Annan, "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century" Millennium
Report of S-G presented 03 Apr 00 to UNGA in preparation for the Millennial Summit 6-8 Sep 00:-
Executive Summary, Key Proposals, Full Report, Fact Sheet, Press Releases, SG UNGA
Statement, SG Press Conference Transcript: all under http://www.un.org/millennium/sg/report/.
Annan said report "attempts to present a comprehensive account of the challenges facing
humanity as we enter the twenty-first century, combined with a plan of action for dealing with
them" . Section titles with(very tight)summaries: I. New Century, New Challenges: New
millennium-Summit offers unique occasion to reflect on world's common destiny, since
interconnected as never before. UN can help meet challenges ahead and be reshaped now to
make a real difference. II. Globalization and Governance: Globalization unequally distributed and
lacks shared social objectives. More people(plus crime, drugs, terrorism, pollution, disease,
weapons, migrants, refugees)interact across frontiers faster, and feel more threatened/ horrified
by distant events/conditions. New technologies enable common understanding/action, so must
learn to govern better, together. States need mutual help via common institutions, from
non-state actors, and informal policy networks. The unequal/unstable/unsustainable world
development model needs agreed remedial measures. III. Freedom From Want: .5b live on less
than $1 a day, so must reduce extreme poverty by half before 2015. Priorities: sustained growth;
all children complete primary school by 2015 and all youth finddecent work; by 2010 HIV
infection rate in young cut by 25% -one result of more LDC-relevant research; improve lives of
100m slum dwellers by 2020; experts/charities to tackle low agricultural productivity in Africa,
as governments give higher priority to poverty; maximize LDC access to infonets to speed
development; rich states open markets to LDCs, offer more debt relief, and focus increased
ODA. IV.Freedom From Fear: internal wars killed 5m in decade; WMD remain threat; security
protects people, not territory. Tackle conflict by: prevention, more balanced development,
human/minority rights, exposingweapons/money/resource smuggling; protect the vulnerable by
enforcing international/human rights law; using UNSC for armed intervention when rights and
lives are massively violated; consider peace operations review panel proposals; target "smart"
sanctions more; improve control of small arms transfers, and reduce dangers of existing nuclear
arms and proliferation. V. Sustaining Our Future: Most planet-sustaining actions are too few,
little, and late. Before 2002, must: cope with climate change: reduce emissions 60% by
efficient/renewable energy, implementing Kyoto Protocol; meet water crisis: accept 2015 target
of 50% reduction in those without safe/affordable water, raise agricultural productivity per unit
of water, improve management; defend soil: biotechnology may be best hope for sufficient food
production, so debate must be resolved globally; preserve forests, fisheries, biodiversity with
joint government/private sector conservation; build new stewardship ethic: public education,
integration ofenvironment into economic policy, regulations/ incentives, accurate scientific data.
VI. Renewing the UN: Must find consensus solutions among governments, private sector, NGOs,
and IOs, with UN as catalyst. Build on core UN strengths(norm-setting, global actions,
humanitarian trust)to press rule of law, adapt UNSC, and work with NGOs, private sector and
foundations, including through informal policy networks; work with industry to exploit
information technology; improve UN management throughstructural/agenda reform,
priority-setting, more flexibility, results-based budgeting. VII. For Consideration by the Summit:
Act on basis of shared Charter values: Freedom, Equity and Solidarity, Tolerance, Non-Violence,
Respect for Nature, Shared Responsibility. Adopt resolutions drawn from Report as
evidence.Reviews: Barbara Crossette, "Annan Urges High-Tech Aid for Poor Countries" in New
York Times 4 Apr;The Economist 8 Apr: "Kofi Annan's Words to the World: Bouncing to a Fairer
World" (51).
Kofi A. Annan, "Common Destiny, New Resolve" , Annual Report on the Work of the Organization
2000, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations(New York: DPI/2153;Sales No.E.00.1.22-Sep
99):-UNSG begins by noting report to Millennium Summit, "We the Peoples: The Role of the
United Nations in the 21st Century" (op.cit.), includes his assessment of humanity's progress
and challenges at turn of millennium,and suggests ways in which international community can
work together to" better lives of people still left behind" .Introduction, summarizing 130-page
report on major UN activities over year to Sep 00, highlights: (1)Demands on UN humanitarian
agencies far exceeded worst-case predictions; (2)Living standards in sub-Saharan Africa still
declining; (3)AIDS pandemic spreads with frightening rapidity; needs stronger commitment to
action; (4)Three new peace missions were created, straining UNHQ resources.
(5)Reviewsanalysed UN failures in Srebrenica and Rwanda; offered recommendations. (6)
controversial economicbenefits of globalization must be more inclusive/equitably shared.
(7)Must be cooperative management ofglobal economic affairs through more effective
governance. (8)Informal global policy networks involving governments, international institutions,
civil society and private sector have great potential. Chapters: Peace/Security; Humanitarian
Commitments; Development; International Legal Order/Human Rights; UNManagement.
Kofi A. Annan, Report of the [UN] Secretary-General to the Preparatory Committee for the
High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development:-this
collaborative effort(officially UNGA Document A/AC.257/12)runs to 64 pages, makes 87
recommendations, and was commissioned bythe Millennium Summit to help focus discussion
at a Mar 2002 global meeting on development financing(still an" event" since it awaits an official
title). Involved directly in the report's preparation were: many parts of the UN proper(particularly
DESA, UNCTAD and UNDP); UN Agencies; the Bank, Fund and WTO; theregional development
banks; OECD; the Financial Stability Forum; many governments/otherstakeholders(arranged by
the UN regional commissions); the business community; and civil society organizations. Hence
it reflects extremely varied, expert and authoritative views - significant, since some proposals
are quite radical, even if presented solely on the responsibility of the UN Secretariat. The report
consists of an Introduction and six chapters, the latter perhaps being the agenda items of the
"event" : I. Mobilizing domestic financial resources for development; II. Mobilizing international
resources for development: foreign direct investment and other private flows; III. Trade; IV.
Increasing international financial cooperation for development through, inter alia, official
development assistance; V. Debt; VI. Addressing systemic issues: enhancing coherence and
consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems in support of
development. For highlights, see UN Press Release DEV/2275at: http://www.un.org/News/Press
/docs/2001/ dev2275.htm. The complete text(which explains all acronyms!)can also be
downloaded from the Web: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.htm
orhttp://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.pdf. For three articles about the Report(highlighting the
dirty bits)see: Christopher S. Wren, "U.N. Report Proposes Steps to Fight Global Poverty" in New
York Times 30 Jan 01;Reuters, "Annan Offers Poor Nations 87 Ways to Lure Funds" NYT 30 Jan;
Wren, "The U.N. Offers 87 Remedies to Help Poor Nations Develop" NYT 04 Feb. The UNSG's
opening speech at the subsequentPrepcom meeting is reported in: Reuters "Annan: Poor
Nations Must Set Development Priorities" NYT 12 Feb. It describes his theme as: LDCs "should
play a greater role in setting policy and priorities in thefinancing of global development" and
cease to be "decided in clubs where only rich countries have real influence" . This issue is of
course a perennial one at the UN, where the contribution-weighted voting in Bretton Woods
bodies is seen as "grossly unfair" and "neo-colonialist" by aid recipients, whose very survival
may be at stake, but "absolutely essential" by the investment-oriented donors, who feel"
shareholders" have natural rights to determine where and how their own money is spent. Annan
aims to increase the relative role of" one-country-one-vote" UN fora(UNGA; ECOSOC)in making
broad global development policies and priorities. He also is very concerned to make foreign
investment in LDCs larger and less volatile as ODA continues its decline. Advising him is a
high-level panel(Zedillo, Rubin, Delors...).
Kofi A. Annan "Courage To Fulfil Our Responsibilities" The Economist 04 Dec 04(23-5):-UNSG
offers global action-urging essay built on his immediate reaction to report of the High-Level
Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Following his urgent introduction is a brief summary
of Annan's alreadyconcentrated and rearranged version of the panel report's many
concerns/proposals. Its value is less to summarize the panel's views than to identify subjects
they and/or he discuss. "We face a world of extraordinary challenges - and of extraordinary
interconnectedness. We are all vulnerable to new security threats, and to old threats that are
evolving in complex and unpredictable ways. Either we allow this array of threats, and our
responses to them, to divide us, or we come together to take effective action to meet all of them
on basis of a shared commitment to collective security. I asked the 16 members of [panel]-
eminent people representing many nations and points of view - to analyse the threats to
peaceand security our world faces; to evaluate how well our existing policies and institutions
are meeting them; and to recommend changes to those policies and institutions, so as to ensure
an effective collective response to those threats. Their report...makes 101 far-sighted but
realistic recommendations. If acted on, they would address the security concerns of all states,
ensure that UN works better, strengtheninternational rule of law and make all people safer" .
First: threats. Event/process leading to deaths on large scale/lessening life chances or
undermines states, should be viewed as threat to innatl peace/security.Clusters:
economic/social, including poverty/disease; inter-state conflict/rivalry; internal violence: civil
war/state collapse/genocide; nuclear/radiological/chemical/ biological weapons; terrorism; innatl
crime.Threats interconnected to unprecedented degree; no state alone can defeat. Highly
enriched uranium at size of 6 milk cartons could level medium-sized city as nuclear device. Such
attack in US/Europe isstaggering cost for world economy. Security of developed states only as
strong as ability of poor statesto respond to/contain new deadly infectious disease. Incubation
period for most is longer than most air flights, so any one of 700m who travel airlines in year
could unwittingly carry lethal virus to unsuspecting state. Today, virus similar to 1918 influenza
could kill tens of millions in fraction of a year. In today's worldany threat to one is truly threat to
all; applies to all categories of threats. Since real limits on self-protection,all states need
collective-security system, committing all to act cooperatively against dangers.
Givengravity/interconnectedness of threats, world needs more active prevention. Prevention can
be highly effective(Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty);WHO helped halt SARS. Best prevention
agents: capable states, acting/cooperating with others. Best preventive strategy: is development
support. Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty/hunger by 2015 states' best security
investment. It will save lives/reduce violentconflict and radicalism/bolster state ability against
threats before real harm. HIV/AIDS shows danger ofinadequate prevention. Slow/ineffective
global response allowed 20m killed/20 years; spread continues andworst to come. Ultimate cost
will include shattered societies. Still not taking all needed steps to bring under control. Also
need public-health facilities built in poor world. Not only poorer states benefit
diseasetreatment/local prevention; whole world has better defence against
bio-terrorism/large-scale naturalepidemics. UNSC should work with WHO to strengthen
biological security via prompt, effective responses.Equal: greater environmental collective
action, including beyond Kyoto protocol to better resources management in states at risk.
Prevention also vital to protect against terrorism. New isrange/scale/intensity of threat(al-Qaeda
can kill around world/has struck in 10+ UN members).Could acquire instruments of massive
destruction: unprecedented danger. UN must better use assets in fight against terrorists:
articulate a strategy respectful of laws/human rights. Definition of terrorism offered: any action
intended to kill/seriously harm civilians/non-combatants, with purpose of
intimidatingpopulation/compelling action by government/innatl organization. States should use
to build consensus andstrengthen UN response to deadly scourge. Also urgent
recommendations on non-proliferation/disarmament/curbing supply of materials to reduce risk
of nuclear/chemical/biological attacks by states/terrorist groups. States encouraged to end
development of domestic uranium enrichment and urged to voluntary time-limited moratorium
on reprocessing plant construction. IAEA ability to monitor compliance with Non-Proliferation
Treaty strengthened by standards in protocol for safeguards inspections. Since Cold War, UN
far more engaged in preventing/ending civil wars; ended more through negotiation since 90 than
in previous 200 years; developed expertise/learned hard lessons. As demand for UN blue
helmets grows, need toboost peacekeeper supply/avoid 90s worst failures. Rich states should
hasten efforts transforming existingforces for UN peace operations. UN must invest in
mediation/support peace agreement implementation.Demobilize combatants/reintegrate into civil
life; otherwise civil wars not successfully ended/other goals(democracy/justice/
development)remain unmet. Often innatl community lost focus if crisis high point
past/peacekeepers left. Propose UNSC create Peacekeeping Commission; to give strategic focus
for workin states under stress/emerging from conflict. If prevention/peaceful resolution fails, UN
must be able to rely on force. Whatever reason: all states/UNSC should bear in mind basic
guidelines/questions:(1)Seriousness of threat: does it justify force?(2)Proper purpose: does
proposed force halt/avert threat?(3)Last resort: all non-military options explored/exhausted? (4)
Proportional means: force proposedminimum necessary?(5)Balance of consequences: clear
action not worse than inaction? No need to amend Art.51 of UN Charter: any state's right of
self-defence against armed attack/pre-emptive actionagainst imminent threat. However if states
fear threats, neither imminent nor proximate, but which could culminate in horrific violence if left
to fester, UNSC already powered to act/must be prepared to take actionearlier than past, when
asked/reliable evidence. Protection of civilians inside states long fraught with controversy. Yet
recognized more widely that question better framed, not as intervene-right but
protection-responsibility - borne first/foremost by states. Panel agreed principle of
non-intervention in internal affairs cannot protect committing genocide/large-scale ethnic
cleansing/other comparable atrocities. I hope UN members agree/UNSC will act. UN(now nearly
60)born in very different time/world, so has under-appreciated record of adapting to new
dangers, e.g. peacekeeping in world's civil wars/response to attack of Sep 01. Clearly needs
far-reaching reform to prevent/respond to all current threats. Some propose via-UN collective
response too difficult/not necessary. But all anti-threat actions impact beyond immediate
context/all states benefit from shared global framework. Not mean UN needs to do everything.
It must learn of share burdens/welcome help from others/work with them. Already does so;
report recommendsstrengthened UN partnerships with regional organs/individual states. Great
attention: UNSC reform.Objectives: make UNSC more effective/authoritative. Permanent
membership devised(1945)to ensure active engagement of big powers to maintain
peace/security. New permanent members matter of controversy/debate. Two suggestions, both
expanding membership to 24; aim at: add those who contribute most to UN
financially/militarily/diplomatically; ensure UNSC represents UN as whole; not expand veto,
which would render decisions more difficult. Proposals offer chance breakthrough in year ahead.
If acted on, UNSC more representative/better equipped for decisive action. Need strengthened
UN secretariat that can support Peacebuilding Commission; implement UNSC/ committee
decisions better on peacekeeping/mediating civil wars. Report envisages more concerted-action
secretariat, with UNSGmore responsible for management/accountability. Equally important:
ECOSOC overhaul to strengthen role in social development/improving knowledge on
economic-social dimensions of security threats. Also, recommends Human Rights Commission
better defender of rights of all. After 60 years, once again findworld mired in disillusionment and
all too imperfect. Easy to stand at sidelines and criticise/talk endlessly about UN reform, but
world no longer has that luxury. Time to adapt collective security system so it works
efficiently/effectively/ equitably. Next year UN states reviewing progress on Millennium
Declaration; world leaders' summit in Sep. Appropriate moment to act on some of most
important recommendations in report.I will indicate which call for decisions at that level.
Fervently hope world leaders will rise to challenge. Have all lived through period of deep division
and sombre reflection. Must make 05 year of bold decision; all share responsibility for each
other's security. Let's summon courage to fulfil responsibility." Complete text of "A More Secure
World: Our Shared Responsibility" Report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and
Change, plus initial comments by requester/addressee, UNSG Kofi Annan, can be read and even
copied(99pp Acrobat Reader)from Secretary General's part of UN file (www.un.org). Executive
Summary(8pp Acrobat)also available at same address. Capturing the 21st Century Security:
Prospects for Collective Responses(Oct 04)collects reports from six Stanley Foundation
conferences in 04 that dealt with UNSG panel. Report at http://reports.stanleyfoundation.org.
Council on Foreign Relations "Q&A: Reforming the United Nations" 01 Dec 04:-originally
available either by NYT>CFR>International>[title] or via CFR directly. This is expert interview with
Lee Feinstein who" has spearheaded Council work on the United Nations" and studied the
important UN report and its UNGA prospects.
"Anonymous"Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror(DullesVA: Brassey's
04):-author is a senior US intelligence official with nearly 20 years experience in national security
issues related to Afghanistan and South Asia. This strong critique of arrogant US/allies' policies
towards Osama bin Laden/al Qaeda, and military action against Afghanistan/Iraq, proved quickly
influential in many respects, and advocates less US loyalty to Israel/corrupt Muslim regimes or
presence in Mideast. Motivation of Muslim terrorists is identified not as hatred/fear of Western
national systems but of their broadly negative actions against Islamic peoples. All complex
chapter titles: (1)Some Thoughts on the Power of Focused, Principled Hatred. (2) An Unprepared
and Ignorant Lunge to Defeat - The US in Afghanistan. (3) Not Down, Not Out: Al Qaeda's
Resiliency, Expansion, and Momentum. (4) The World's View of bin Laden: A Muslim Leader and
Hero Coming into Focus? (5) Bin Laden Views the World: Some Old, Some New, and a Twist. (6)
Blinding Hubris Abounding: Inflicting Defeat on Ourselves - Non-War, Leaks, and Missionary
Democracy. (7) When the Enemy Sets the Stage: How US's Stubborn Obtuseness Aids Its Foes.
(8) The Way Ahead: A Few Suggestions for Debate. Epilogue: No Basis for Optimism.
Clair Apodaca, Michael Stohl, George Lopez, "Moving Norms to Political Reality:
Institutionalizing Human Rights Standards through the United Nations System" (185-220)in The
Future of the United Nations System: Potential for the Twenty-First Century(New York: UN Univ.
98):-extremely useful study of UN human rights structures, treaties and activities, employing a
new sense that state legitimacy derives from internal order and regard for standards. Four main
UN purposes include promotion of human rights, set down in Universal Declaration(48)and
amplified in two International Covenants(76).All three now binding on all states. Many more
specific UN System treaties, with recent emphasis on Humanitarian Law.Growing human rights
roles of NGOs, High Commissioner and complex UN structures are explained.Reform proposals
involve structure, NGO protection and regional action.
Reza Aslan No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam(New York: Random
House 05):-The widely-read author defines his aim in the Prologue: "This book is not just critical
reexamination of the origins and evolution of Islam, nor is it merely an account of the current
struggle among Muslims to define the future of this magnificent yet misunderstood faith. This
book is, above all else, an argument for reform"(xx). William Grimes, in his New York Times 04
May 05 review, quotes the book:"What is taking place now in the Muslim world is an internal
conflict between Muslims, not an external battle between Islam and the West"(248). Grimes
himself argues: "[Islam's] history, grippingly narrated and thoughtfully examined, takes up nearly
all of 'No god but God'. Aslan... has written a literate, accessible introduction to Islam.,. carefully
placing its message/rituals in historical context. Complete with glossary/annotated bibliography,
it could easily serve as a college textbook". The 310-page book includes 21st century arguments:
"[T]he attacks of 11 Sep 01 were not a defensive strike against a specific act of aggression
against Islam. They were never sanctioned by a qualified mujtahid. They made no differentiation
between combatant/noncombatant.,. indiscriminately killed women, children, and approximately
200 Muslims. In other words, they fell far short of the regulations imposed by Muhammad for a
legitimate jihadi response, which is why, despite common perception in the West, they were so
roundly condemned by the vast majority of the world's Muslims"(87). "Tragic events of 11 Sep...
initiated a vibrant discourse among Muslims about meaning/message of Islam in 21st century...
It may be too early to know who will write the next chapter of Islam's story, but it is not too early
to recognize who will ultimately win the war between reform/counterreform... But the cleansing
inevitable, and tide of reform cannot be stopped. Islamic Reformation is already here"(266).
Associated Press,"China Refines Birth-Control Policy"New York Times 07 May 00:-this report
on a new government policy says China" hopes to limit its growing population to 1.4b people
in 2010 by refining" its current policy. This is an unlikely feat, given that the present official
figure of 1.25b may understate the real total by tens of millions, and experts believe the
population will actually peak about 1.6b around 2050. Beijing claims:" A more perfect control
system will be built and a better environment...created...[S]afe, effective and proper
contraceptive methods should be made available to women...Nevertheless, the population will
increase by 10m a year in the next few decades" . Officials already worry this will outstripfinite
supplies of water, farmland and other resources, requiring major grain imports, but an
unintended population-control factor has developed: boys being preferred, China may already
have 100m more males than females.
Associated Press, "Number of Refugees Grows Worldwide" New York Times 13 Jun 00:-World
Refugee Survey 2000, issued by prestigious US Committee for Refugees, claims that at end of
20th Century there were35m people worldwide "uprooted and in need of protection." Conflict
contributed 7m to this in 99 alone, and despite UN success in ending some long-term disputes
following end of Cold War, this estimated total had risen from 29m in 90. Moreover, of these,
13.7m are found in Africa(4.4m in Sudan alone).Another trend has been continually growing
number of refugees that for various reasons remain in their own countries:Internally Displaced
Persons. Identified IDPs now number at least 4m, and clearly demand higher priority from
UN-UNHCR since they are not afforded same legal protections and care as" international"
refugeesunder Geneva Conventions. On other hand, there is hope that some sources of refugees
and IDPs may bein sight of permanent solution. Elizabeth Rosenthal, "Famine in North Korea
Creates Steady Human Flow into China" NYT 10 Jun:-report on motives and stratagems of North
Korean refugees within/outside their country. Any moves towards Korean reconciliation could
have major and rapid effect on this crisis. For evenlonger-term look at issue of unwilling
migration, AP reports "Conference Addresses Migration" NYT 10 Jun:-experts Paris meeting
organized by Universal Academy of Cultures concluded "globalization demands greater moral
responsibility and intervening in sovereign nations is plausible response to misery that drives
populations beyond their borders." Those seeking political asylum increased from 250,000 in 87
to 900,000 in 92, but then declined to 388,000 in 98,perhaps reflecting growing influence of such
perceptionin UN. Meanwhile, if Europe's population falls 100m by 50, migration waves may
become beneficial.
Associated Press "Nations Vow to Fight Urban Blight" New York Times 09 Jun 01:-results of
five-year-review of progress in meeting UN Habitat Agenda, agreed upon at 96 global summit on
urban issues in Istanbul. New York review conference produced UN Declaration on Cities and
Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium which reaffirmed commitment to Agenda
principles regarding "adequate housing for all and sustainable development of world's cities"
-no easy task since many countries" openly admit they have made little progress since Istanbul
meeting. More than 1b...still lack adequate housing[out of 3b(50%)global urban population, and
since f]ast-growing slums are common on outskirts of Asian, Africa and Latin American cities"
.Textual crises overcome involved Palestinian proposal to criticize Israel, and US refusal to
reaffirm adequate housing as "human right" .
Associated Press"EU Agency: Gypsies Suffer Discrimination"New York Times 07 Apr
06:-"Gypsies[henceforth Roma] remain among Europe's most discriminated-against people,
European Union's racism watchdog agency said [07 Apr]... Roma routinely denied jobs/
housing/education/health care, saidVienna-based EU Monitoring Center on Racism and
Xenophobia. Center's director... said Roma living in many of EU's 25 member states suffer
'systematic discrimination', and called for more intensive effort/greater political will to eliminate
the bias and help lift Roma communities out of poverty. Estimated 6.2m Roma live in Europe -
4.6m in central/eastern Europe - according to estimates by UN-affiliatedInternational
Organization for Migration. Last year... EU monitoring center said unemployment ran as high as
90% among Roma in some new EU members such as Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia,
and that worst discrimination happened when Roma tried to rent/buy property. ['T]erritorial
segregationis particularly acute', report said. Roma also tended to receive substandard medical
care... A globalconference of Prague-based International Romani Union - coalition of
organizations working to easethe plight of Roma - designated 08 Apr as International Day of
Roma in 1990"
Associated Press "U.S. Says Missile - Defense System Limited" New York Times 22 Jun 06:- "US
said [22 Jun] missile-defense system under development has 'limited operational capability'to
protect against weapons such as the long-range missile North Korea is said to be near firing.
National Security AdviserStephen Hadley underscored US calls for North Korea to abandon any
plans for testing the missile believed capable of reaching US soil. 'We're watching it very
carefully and preparations are very far along', Hadley said... In Washington, a top Pentagon
official said that a missile launch would be 'aprovocation and a dangerous action'that would lead
US to impose 'some cost'on North Korea. [Tough UNSC resolution was later passed after a short
flight by Taepodong-2 missile.] Hadley, who briefed reporters while traveling with President
Bush in Europe[to G8 summit],.. spurned a suggestion by former Defense Secretary William
Perry that US launch a pre-emptive strike against the North Korean missile...US has spent
hundreds of millions of dollars on missile defense systems during the past few decades.'We
have a missile defense system... what we call a long-range missile defense system that is
basicallya research, development, training, test kind of system', Hadley said. 'It does... have
some limited operational capability. [P]urpose, of course, of a missile defense system is to
defend... the territory of US from attack'" . AP "U.S. Military Intercepts Missile in Test" "A Navy
ship on [22 Jun] intercepted amedium-range missile warhead above the earth's atmosphere off
Hawaii in the latest test of the US missile defense program, the military said. Missile Defense
Agency said test had been scheduled for months and was not prompted by indications that
North Korea was planning to test launch a long-range missile. USS Shiloh detected a
medium-range missile after it was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai,
then fired a Standard Missile-3 interceptor. Interceptor shot down the target warhead after it
separated from its rocket booster, more than 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 250 miles
northwest of Kauai, the agency said in a statement. The test marked the seventh time in eight
attempts the military has successfully shot down a missile target with an interceptor fired from
a ship.It also was the second successful attempt by a ship to shoot down a separating target.
Medium- andlong-range ballistic missiles typically have at least two stages, increasing the
challenge for interceptors,which must distinguish between the body of the missile and the
warhead... Japan agreed to jointly develop missile defense technology with US late last year,
broadening an earlier bilateral research pact" .
Associated Press "North Korea Knows How to Get Attention" New York Times 08 Jul 06:- "North
Korea is well practiced in getting some of what it wants through provocation. Bullying through
a bullhorn has worked time and again for a small nation with an outsized military force and an
even bigger capacity forbluster and threat. It's called coercive diplomacy. North Korean-style,
it has involved antagonizing everyone on and over the horizon, foes and allies alike, and then
pulling back. Sometimes just in the nick of time... That's the case now... 'When diplomacy is
stalled, North escalates tension to break thedeadlock', Wonhyuk Lim, Brookings Institution
fellow,.. says in analysis... Risk is that North's attention-grabbing actions may bring bombs in
reprisal instead of diplomacy, as almost happened in Clinton [era].In 2003, North pulled out of
a nuclear arms treaty, vowing to bring 'defeat and ruin'on US, warning of WWIII and declaring,
'Let us see who will win and who will be defeated in the fire-to-fire standoff'. This was followed
by the first substantive talks between the two nations since President Bush came to office.As
a propaganda gambit, the missile tests [04 Jul 06] were hardly a smashing success... North's
starlong-range missile is said to have failed like a bum firecracker on its mission of defiance and
military advancement. Half-dozen tests of shorter range missiles were conducted to uncertain
effect, but no failures as far as known. Results, in short, spoke to North's apparent ability to
wreak havoc in its region and its inability any time soon to reach US mainland with missile. For
US, 'main risk seems to be that North is beginning early testing of a missile that could throw
equivalent of a rock at Alaska', said AnthonyCordesman of Center for Strategic and International
Studies. Yet North has massive combat forces on border with South; long-range artillery capable
of reaching Japan and destroying up to 40% of Southeconomy; and huge stocks of chemical
weapons as well as its rising nuclear weapons capability. [North]fields world's fifth largest army,
behind China, US, Russia and India. It is considered no match in any protracted fight with South
Korea's lethal modern forces, US' s unmatched power or a devastating combination of both. Still
any conflict could bring horrific consequences to both sides and risk pittingChina against US
[like 1950-53 Korean War?].Cordesman protests tendency to regard Kim Jong Il as areckless
poseur without a purpose. 'North... has reminded everyone of just how serious a threat Northcan
be, how limited most military options are, and how serious the risks of any major war would
be',Cordesman said. North's declaration in 1993 that it would pull out of NPT brought peninsula
close to war and isolated the country through international censure, in the process leading to
breakthroughnegotiations with Washington that produced agreement to freeze North's nuclear
activities in exchange for US energy assistance. North's first test of a multistage rocket in 1998,
also a flop, spurred bilateraltalks. Current framework of six-nation negotiations set up after
North resumed its plutonium program in 2002 and expelled international inspectors [IAEA]. That
pattern of edging toward confrontation, then edging back, has persisted, always accompanied
by tough words. More are being heard now" .
Associated Press "Rumsfeld Cautions on Missile Shield" New York Times 27 Aug 06:- "[US]
Defense Secretary Donald H.Rumsfeld sounded a note of caution about expectations that
interceptors poised in underground silos [in Fort Greely, Alaska] would work in the event of a
missile attack by North Korea...Ten silos house single 54-foot-long missile interceptors. If
ordered by [US] president,.. one or more ofthe rockets would blast into the sky and race at more
than 18,000 mph to launch a small 'kill vehicle'atan enemy warhead as it soared through space.
An 11th interceptor is to be installed. [Asked whether ready for use against a North Korean
missile,] Rumsfeld said he would not be fully persuaded until themultibillion dollar defense
system has undergone more complete and realistic testing. [He said] some elements of the
missile defense system are yet to come on line, including some of the radars and other sensors
used to track the target missile,.. but stressed that advisors... have told him they believe it will
work as designed in the event of an actual missile attack. [On 31 Aug] an interceptor based at
a second site [in California] is scheduled to be tested against a target missile launched into the
Pacific from Alaska's Kodiak Island. That will be the first full-up test of the latest version of the
interceptor and its 'kill vehicle', a device attached to the nose of the interceptor. [T]he 'kill
vehicle'is designed to use its own propulsion system and optical sensors to lock onto its target
and, by ramming into it at high speed,obliterate the warhead and any payload it might carry.
[This] test also will be first use of an early-warning radar... to provide the data required to put the
interceptor on a proper path toward its target... A furthertest, now scheduled for Dec, will try for
an intercept. At a news conference, Rumsfeld said that North Korea's leaders showed, by their
test-launch of multiple missiles on 04 Jul 06, a determination to'continue to improve their
capability and to threaten and attempt to blackmail other people'. He said theyalso are a threat
to spread missile technology to terrorists. 'I think the real threat that North Korea poses in the
immediate future is more one of proliferation than a danger to South Korea', he said... Rumsfeld
said US intelligence about the intentions of North Korean leaders is not very good, but he said
it is clearthat the overall condition of the North Korean military has deteriorated" ; David S.Cloud
"Rumsfeld Sees Some Progress in Missile Plan" New York Times 27 Aug 06:- "Secretary of
Defense Rumsfeld said [in Fort Greely, Alaska] that while the fledging US ballistic missile
defense system was becoming more capable,he wanted to see a successful full-scale test before
declaring it able to shoot down a ballistic missile...Bush administration has taken the unusual
step of deploying the system which is designed to shoot down a limited number of missiles
before testing is completed and before all radars and sensors necessary to track incoming
missiles are in place. Rumsfeld [said] system was aimed at protecting against attacks from North
Korea and Iran, which he called 'rogue states that are intent on developing long-range ballistic
missiles' ... The goal this week is to see if sensors in the so-called kill vehicle can recognize an
incoming warhead, not to actually hit it... But... it employed a target that in its size andspeed was
representative of missiles that might be fired at US. In last two flight tests, the system haltedthe
firing sequence before the interceptor missile left its silo... Even so, after the second failed test
in Feb 05, the system was taken down until Dec 06. [A]s many as 40 are supposed to be installed
by next year. The other interceptor site is... in California, where two interceptors are in silos...
Bushadministration is also looking at locations for an interceptor site in Europe that would
protect US and parts of Europe from missiles launched from Mideast. [C]ould be in place in four
years if Congressprovides the money... Sergei Ivanov, defense minister of Russia, [also in
Alaska] did not directly criticize US system, but called for 'transparency'by Bush administration,
a term meant to convey Russia's concern about any modifications to the system that could take
its capabilities beyond stopping a small number of missiles" ;
Associated Press "Annan Paints Grim Picture to Assembly"New York Times 19 Sep
06:-"Addressing world leaders for last time as UNSG, Kofi Annan painted a grim picture of an
unjust world economy, global disorder, widespread contempt for human rights, and appealed
for nations/peoples to truly unite. As theannual UN General Assembly [UNGA] ministerial
meeting got under way, 192 UN member states facedambitious agenda including trying to
promote Mideast peace, curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, get UN peacekeepers into
conflict-wracked Darfur, promote democracy... Annan, whose second five-year term ends 31 Dec
06, said the past decade has seen progress in development, security, rule of law - the threegreat
challenges he said humanity faced in first address to UNGA in 97. But UNSG said too many still
exposed to brutal conflict, and fear of terrorism has increased clash of civilizations/religions.
Terrorismbeing used as pretext to limit or abolish human rights, and globalization risks driving
richer and poorer apart, he said. 'Events of last 10 years have not resolved, but sharpened, three
great challenges - unjust world economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for human
rights and rule of law', Annan said.'As result, we face world whose divisions threaten very notion
of an international community, upon which this institution stands. I remain convinced that only
answer to this divided world must be a truly United Nations' , he said. In annual report, UNSG
touched on some of most difficult issues confronting leaders... [Arab-Israeli conflict; Iraq;
Afghanistan; Sudan/Darfur]. 'Together we have pushed some big rocks to top of the mountain,
even if others have slipped from our grasp and rolled back. But this mountain... is best place on
earth to be',UNSG said.'I yield my place to others with an obstinate feeling of hope for our
common future', Annan said. [UNGA] loud applause/rose in sustained standing ovation".
Associated Press "China to Continue Modernizing Military" New York Times 29 Dec 06:- "China
said it will strengthen its military to thwart any attempt by Taiwan to push for independence, but
vowed that it wascommitted to the peaceful development of the world's largest army. A report
issued by the State Council,China's Cabinet, also said the country's defense policy will focus
on protecting its borders and sea space, cracking down on terrorism and modernizing its
weapons. 'China will not engage in any arms race or pose a military threat to any other country',
the 91-page white paper said. 'China is determined to remain a staunch force for global peace,
security and stability'. The communist nation's 2.3m-strong military is the world's largest but has
been criticized for its lack of transparency about its buildup. Its reported 2006 budget is $35b,
but analysts believe the true figure, which doesn't include weapons purchases and other key
items, is several times higher... One of Beijing's key short-term goals has been to take a firm
stand against any independence efforts by Taiwan... It has hundreds of missiles pointed in its
direction across the Taiwan Straits. China has also spent heavily to beef up its arsenal
withsubmarines, jet fighters and other high-tech weapons. 'The struggle to oppose and contain
theseparatist forces for Taiwan independence and their activities remains a hard one', the report
said. Itindirectly criticized US for promising Beijing that it will adhere to the 'one-China'policy,
'but it continues to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, and has strengthened military ties with
Taiwan'. Washingtonswitched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but remains
Taiwan's major foreign backer, and is committed by law to providing it weapons to defend itself
against possible Chinese attack. [Report] highlighted what it said was 'growing complexities in
Asia-Pacific security environment'.[It] said China 'remains firmly committed to the policy of no
first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances' . All this taking place with
backdrop of North Korea's first nuclear test,uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions
and continued turbulence in Mideast, it said".
Séverine Autesserre"The Trouble With Congo: How Local Disputes Fuel Regional Conflict"(94-110)Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.3(May/Jun 08):-official summary:"Although the war in Congo
officially ended in 2003, 2m people have died since. One of the reasons is that the international
community's peacekeeping efforts there have not focused on the local grievances in eastern
Congo, especially those over land, that are fueling much of the broader tensions. Until they do,
the nation's security and that of wider Great Lakes region will remain uncertain". Emphasized
extracts:"Congo is now the stage for the largest humanitarian disaster in the world - far larger
than the crisis in Sudan. [I]nternational actors must tackle situation in Congo from the ground
up". Autesserre is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia Univ.
Glenys A. Babcock, "Getting to Democracy" in Behind the Headlines 53 (Autumn 1995). - a brief
but usefulsurvey of the recent and disappointed hope that democracy was an unstoppable global
trend. It explores the experience, needs, and processes actually involved, and finds them
formidable for many new states. The UN/WHO is seeking remedies.
Robert Baer"THE FP MEMO:- Wanted: Spies Unlike Us"Foreign Policy No.147(Mar/Apr
05):-former CIA case officer 1976-97, and author -See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier
in the CIA's War on Terrorism(New York: Crown Publishers 02), drafts a MEMORANDUM from
himself to Porter Goss, U.S. Director of Central Intelligence, entitled"Getting the CIA Back in the
Game". He writes"CIA is clearly broken, and you have a chance to fix it... Reform is needed
across the board, but the Directorate of Operations(DO) should be your first target. Its mission
- recruiting and running foreign spies - should be the agency's core function.Give DO the tools
it needs, and intelligence analysis will take care of itself...Here are my suggestions(forming
remainder of the MEMO under following headings): Reform the Promotion System; Know Your
Sources;Recruit on College Campuses; Lower the Retirement Age; Stop Relying on Foreign
Governments;Change the Security Clearance System; Recruit on the Dark Side. [I would myself
disagree with the proposed total lack of cooperation with the world's 200 or so "Foreign
Governments". Even the US could not gain unilaterally all the global information it is going to
need. The global danger of all types/sources of terrorism in the world can only be constrained
if all governments ideally/ostensibly work together.Genuine intelligence activity abroad
could/would lie on top of that.]
Benjamin R. Barber, Jihad vs. McWorld: How the Planet is Both Falling Apart and Coming
Together and What This Means for Democracy(New York: Times Books 95):-unusual and
debatable perception of some broad global trends that has generated new interest - though not
necessarily credibility for its conclusion - since its publication. Argues world experiencing basic
conflict between homogenizing power of post-industrial capitalism/ "fundamentalist"
ethnic-religious reaction. Believes both forces undermine state(presumably in terms of
traditional sovereignty)and hence democracy.[Why and how is democracy so dependent upon
sanctity of Westphalian nation-state?]Sources of new interest derive, of course, from growth of
anti-globalization movement, however disunited it may be in both fears and formulas, and "Clash
of Civilizations" thesis put forward by Samuel P. Huntington(op.cit.)and apparently illustrated
-all too violently-by Osama bin Laden.
Scott Barrett Why Cooperate? The Incentive to Supply Global Public Goods (New York: Oxford
Univ Press 07):-surprisingly well written -considering the complexity of issues- in: (1) describing
the existing global challenges (e.g. climate change, nuclear proliferation, worldwide pandemics)
and those that threaten the entire planet (e.g. terrorism, physical/chemical/biological instabilities,
asteroids); and (2) reporting on how such problems have been successfully or badly handled
in the past, the rationales involved, and the various cooperations that would/might work best in
future. Barrett's "threat" approach differs from my item "EARTH MUST COOPERATE...", mainly
in stressing "Global Public Goods" actions of the recent past (e.g.often successful United
Nations; wonderful "Montreal Protocol" ozone treaty), whereas my gloomy and concentrated
"page" is designed almost solely to identify: (1) the exploding scale/variety of global threats; (2)
the human tendencies that have created/will create them; and (3) why we must change a number
of very old human views/feelings. Both press broader global diplomacy as essential tool. Most
chapters focus on distinct types of issue/solution. [Even a study of brief bit(s) of 275p would be
valuable.] Titles: Incentives to Supply Global Public Goods [GPG]; (1) Single Best Efforts: GPG
that Can Be Supplied Unilaterally or Minilaterally; (2) Weakest Links: GPG that Depend on States
that Contribute the Least; (3) Aggregate Efforts: GPG that Depend on Combined Efforts of All
States; (4) Financing and Burden Sharing: Paying for GPG; (5) Mutual Restraint: Agreeing What
States Ought Not to Do; (6) Coordination and Global Standards: Agreeing What States Ought to
Do; (7) Development: Do GPG Help Poor States?; Conclusion: Institutions for Supply of GPG.
Felicity Barringer "Nations Ranked as Protectors of the Environment"New York Times 24 Jan
05:-2005 has produced"index of environmental sustainability, which ranks nations on their
success at such tasks asmaintaining/improving air and water quality, maximizing biodiversity
and cooperating with other countries on environmental problems...Report is based on 75
measures, including rate at which children die from respiratory diseases, fertility rates[of what?],
water quality, overfishing, emission of heat-trapping gases, and export of sodium dioxide,
crucial component of acid rain. Report also cited statisticallysignificant correlation between
high-ranking countries and[those]with open political systems/effective governments."Top ten
out of 146 countries studied were(in their order):Finland, Norway, Uruguay, Sweden, Iceland,
Canada, Switzerland, Guyana, Argentina, Austria. US ranked 45th, behind such countries as
Japan, Botswana, Bhutan, most of Western Europe. Lowest-ranking country was North Korea;
others near bottom were Haiti, Taiwan, Iraq, Kuwait. Index is second produced in collaboration
with World Economic Forum(Davos, Switzerland).
Warren Bass "The Triage of Dayton" Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.5(Sep/Oct 98):-highly critical
account of US/UN actions and inactions relating to 95 Dayton Accords on Bosnia.(Full account
of negotiations: Holbrooke op.cit.)Seems to take it as given that" Serbs"and they alone
committed both aggression and ethnic cleansing, and hence required punishment, not
mediation. Argued that early "lift and strike" policy by US against Serbs(regardless of UN ground
forces' vulnerability as decided by UNSC)could have let US(sic) "stay true to its avowed ideals
of multiethnic tolerance, liberal democracy and reversing aggression."
Jean-Francois Bayart, Stephen Ellis and Beatrice Hibou The Criminalization of the State in
Africa(Oxford:James Currey 99):-inevitably researched unscientifically, seeks to explain multiple
political-economic crises of Africa(i.e.south of Sahara)as whole. "African specialists" after
lamentingdemography/stagnation-acerbated poverty/hyper-urbanization, highlight certain
developments: facade of democratic transition/structural adjustment/other reforms; armed
conflicts' continuation or spread; above all, elites' massive involvement in corrupt/criminal
activities(drugs/other smuggling; political-financial/other fraud; coercion/violence).While driven
by change, these African reactions show historicalinfluence of approving accumulation of power
and wealth through devious personal initiative. Thusnationalism, government and law are simply
used; their criminalization culturally-rooted.
Anne F. Bayefsky, " Enforcing International Human Rights Law" (117-26) in Canadian Foreign
PolicyVol.6/No.1 (Fall 1998). - this is the rapporteur's report of a 1997 experts' conference whose
aims were toimprove the enforcement of the six major UN human rights (HR) treaties, and " to
develop a vision for theadvancement of the treaty regime" (117). Apart from listing 106 very
specific recommendations, eightunderlying principles were identified: (1) HR are universal; (2)
HR universality is diluted by widespreadreservations; (3) HR protection is directly related to
democracy, good governance and rule of law; (4)Strength of HR treaty system is equal
application of standards to all UN members; (5) International HR law/institutions complement
natural HR systems; (6) Good implementation requires victim's access to state reporting; (7) Full
compliance information is essential to credible/effective treaty regime; (8) NGOs play vital role
in enforcement.
Barbara Beck "The Economics of Ageing: The Luxury of Longer Life" The Economist 27 Jan
96(Survey 1-16):-longer average lifespans worldwide are raising global, and not simply national,
problems in fields like economics and finance, travel and migration, medicine and health care,
social and cultural change, and even moral standards.
Barbara Beck, "A Survey of Women and Work: For Better, For Worse" in The Economist 18 Jul
98(1-16):-an excellent economic and social examination of the formal employment of women,
including a human-rights-related analysis of why so few are found in the top levels of business.
Most information is on OECDcountries - which have the best statistics and seem to lead a global
trend. Subjects include: history, e.g. the combined impact of safe contraception and the
transformation of labor needs; OECD employment trendsand their reasons; gender variation by
job type, pay and unemployment; maternity and paternity leave,daycare, shared child care and
housework, career-breaks, taxation and birthrate issues. All are UN issuesnow; its actively trying
to improve its own employee gender balance.
Elizabeth Becker "Number of Hungry Rising, U.N. Says" New York Times 08 Dec 04:-UN agency
Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)makes ominous report: for first time in almost decade,
estimated number in the world going hungry has increased. Despite overall increase in global
wealth, FAO states, after slow/steady decrease, chronically hungry rose to nearly 852m(18m
increase since 00); 5m children aredying of hunger annually. FAO senior claimed world now
producing more than enough food, so problemis access to jobs/resources/land/money to buy
food. UN's International Labor Organization(ILO)reported that record 1.4b(half world's
workers)earn less than $2 daily. Oxfam reported that global aid budgets now total half of level
in 60. Yet UN's Millennium Development Goals, pledged by all the world's governments, set
targets to halve extreme poverty/hunger by 15." At least 80% of world's chronically hungry live
in rural areas and over half...subsistence farmers. Competition from world's wealthiest farmers,
heavilysubsidized by rich governments,...blamed in part for the inequity. Trade ministers have
promised to continueworking to reduce agricultural subsidies/supports at global trade talks next
year[WTO]. In measuring hunger [FAO]considers calorie intake/amount of food available/
inequities in access to food supplies. Thirtycountries [Asia/ Africa/Latin America]cut percentage
of hungry people at least 25% over last decade byreducing conflict/focusing ...programs on rural
areas/small farmers.[This is fundamentally critical, since]children under three most vulnerable
to disease/death. Without proper nutrition, it is difficult for these children to ever recover/lead
productive lives."
Brian Beedham "The New Geopolitics: The Road to 2050" The Economist 31 Jul 99(1-16):-mainly
Kosovo-inspired proposal: democracies(i.e. NATO)actively try to make(run?)better, more
peaceful world through joint foreign policy "core of[which]would attempt to spread...democracy.
Includes trying to help peoplesquashed under another people's heel...to govern itself." To this
end "should be able to construct jointmilitary force that can be swiftly sent to distant parts."
Other "great powers" may soon beChina/Japan/Russia/India. If China seems threat, any/all
democratic three might want to join "Alliance for Democracy." Survey rules out "clash of
civilizations" and credible alternatives to state sovereignty oreventual democracy.[My reaction:
Who looks after increasing variety/number/ seriousness of other -oftenvery closely related-
problems in same world? UN mentioned only in sarcastic sentence about few wanting
international body to have standing army of its own; yet that's exactly what's being proposed!
More important, might not 5b others in world have some democratic(sic)views/objections
regarding self-selected/-deployed global police force? Also, if major aim of force liberation of
minorities, likelythousands of such groups will demand both independence/help? Won't
sovereignty continue devolving simply for global survival?]
Christopher de Bellaigue "THINK AGAIN: IRAN" Foreign Policy No.148 (May/Jun 05) (18-24):-like
other FPissues, correction of nine public concepts; here: about Iranian nuclear weapons
production/use or its positive response to stiff US pressure. Author first outlines widely-held
views( "Under-lined Statements" ); states FIRM REACTIONS; and then provides his view of
actual truth. He first provides summary: "Tehran's desire for nuclear bomb has put it in
Washington's cross hairs. But neither President George W.Bush'srepeated condemnations of
Iran's clerical rulers, nor the threat of military force will advance cause ofdemocracy there. When
Iran reforms, it will happen because its youth - not the United States - demands it." "If Iran Gets
a Nuclear Bomb, Iran Will Use It"-VERY UNLIKELY. "Iran almost certainly does not intendto
brandish a nuclear bomb in an attempt to intimidate...Israel/US... Further, clerics have blessed
a partial detente with their Arab neighbours and...EU.[Yet] there is plausible circumstantial
evidence ...to suggestthat Iran's nuclear program is not civilian. [N]uclear ambiguity is
calculated, a reaction to the vulnerability it feels. Iran probably intends to gather all the elements
necessary for bomb making, so that it can gonuclear the moment that it feels an attack is
imminent." "Iran Has No Use for Nuclear Power"-False."Energy needs are rising faster than
[Iran's oil/gas] ability to meet them... Its capacity must nearly triple over 15 years to meet
projected demand[,and the electricity cannot all come] from the oil sector. [Output] has
stagnated at around 3.7mbd since late 1990s. Almost 40% of Iran's crude oil is consumed locally
[and the natural] gas reserves are only just being tapped. It makes sense for Iran to free up its
hydrocarbons for export [and] Iran contends that US may pressure foreign sellers into stopping
the flow. [Hence] Iran'sdesire for a complete fuel cycle is most suspicious aspect of nuclear
program"."The Iranian People Support Their Leaders' Nuclear Program"-NOT REALLY. "Iranians
who vocally support...nuclearambitions...minority[;] never witnessed spontaneous discussion
of nuclear program among average Iranians...Unlikely many Iranians willing to put up with
economic/diplomatic isolation...if Iran insisted on enriching uranium"."Only the Threat of Force
Can Dissuade Iran from Advancing with Its Nuclear Plans"-DOUBTFUL."Threat...could
also...encourage Iran to leave NPT and develop a nuclear weapon ASAP...[N]ever abandons goal
of achieving a nuclear fuel cycle... Iran is more flexible than it appears...[It might] revise its
nuclear plans if US abandoned its [hard policies] ...Ultimately it might refuse to publicly
relinquish nuclear goals, preferring instead to extend current negotiations indefinitely"."U.S.
Military Action Would Embolden Dissidents to Topple the Islamic Republic"-WRONG.
"Workers...keeping their heads down andmouths shut... Iranians don't want Iraq's wretched
conditions... Iranians opposed to Islamic Republic lack a unifying ideology... Possible some
Iranians would cheer a US invasion, but not for long". "Criticizing the Islamic Republic Helps
Dissidents Inside Iran"-NO. "Bush's repeated statements of support for Iranian people do not
help normal Iranians... Publicly defending beleaguered reformists simply allowed clerics to
accuse reformers of being US lackeys...US criticism has perverse effect because US has no
diplomatic or economic relations with Iran, and hence no leverage. EU and others [have] some
modest leverage with Iran's clerical rulers". "If Iraq Becomes a Democracy, so Will
Iran"-WISHFUL THINKING. "Border is about all they share...Few Iranians...question Iran's
integrity within its current borders. Same is not true in Iraq...Iran set up a semi-democratic,
anti-Western, Shia theocracy... Clerics today enjoy considerable prestige"."Iran Cannot Be
Reformed from Within"-WRONG AGAIN. "Iran can and will be reformed from
within.Demographics make that course inevitable. Some 70% of Iran's 70m citizens under age
of 30, and young Iranians are more reform-minded than older groups... Young people resent
existing political restrictions more than their elders, and are less religiously observant... Spread
of material values and sexual freedom is palpable, as is desire for smaller families...Young
people display little animus for once-hated US...[Yet]reform-minded millions lack common
ideology/leadership... New generation will... spur further reform. Process would benefit from
critical dialogue with US, rather than current, glowering standoff".
Pam Belluck "Will Longer Lives Be Different Lives? And Better Ones?" New York Times 01 Jan
00:-the biological, economic and ethical impacts of the probable major extension of human
lifespans are often discussed; this addresses its social and personal impact. Since "genetic and
medical steps needed to extend life [may halt] much of deterioration that comes with aging", life
may include feeling like 60 at 110, attending college at 35 (five MAs [may be] needed), women
bearing children in 50s, having six entirely separate careers and four marriages, physical sports
at 112, vastly more life experiences (10-year holidays). With current progress on aging/terminal
disease, many now born may live in 3 centuries. Parent/child may age far apart/"simultaneously".
Marriage could last 80 years, or socially transform, with people raising several families.
Energy-creativity-initiative "stimulated", but uneven access-adjustment must be minimized.
Fanny Benedetti & John L.Washburn "Drafting the International Criminal Court Treaty: Two
Years to Rome and an Afterword on the Rome Diplomatic Conference" Global Governance
Vol.5/No.1(Jan/Mar 99):-pending book on subject, should constitute definitive diplomatic history
of negotiation of what may well be seminal global treaty. Agreement to establish ICC legally
significant as move towards acceptance of global rule of law. Moreover Court's role to punish
perpetrators of globally-agreed-on heinous crimes if states do not take action may have
substantial political influence on national/international behaviour. Even negotiations set
precedents: e.g.direct/massive NGO participation; new voting alliances; tough tactics( "package"
rather than consensus decision-making);willingness to isolate US(see Wedgwood
op.cit.).Invaluable account of verycomplex UN processes.
A. LeRoy Bennett, International Organizations: Principles and Issues (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice
Hall, 1991).-mostly on the UN. The focus is on its philosophy and principles, not structure; the
breakdown is bybroad issue, not organization: League of Nations; Genesis of the UN; Basic UN
Principles and Organization; Basic UN Issues; Peaceful Dispute Settlement; Collective Security
and the Alternatives; Justice Under Law; Regionalism; Arms Control; Transnationals and IOs;
Economic Welfare; Global Resources and the Environment ; Social Progress; Human
Rights/Self-Government; Administration/Leadership; the Future.
Samuel R.Berger"Foreign Policy for a Democratic President" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.3
(May/Jun 04):-aimed at those concerned about weaknesses in US foreign policy of Bush regime,
andneeds/opportunities in modified policies of any Nov 04-elected Democratic(or amended)
regime. Most issues discussed of global relevance, and many stress US relations with foreign
entities, particularlyNATO/UN/international law. This mentions those of global importance
discussed in some detail. US administration's "high-handed style and its gratuitous
unilateralism" about its military, economic and cultural aims, embittered even those abroad
most likely to embrace US values. New US regime "no moreurgent task than to restore...global
moral and political authority, so when we decide to act we canpersuade others to join us.
Achieving reversal will require forging new strategic bargain with closest allies...Democratic
approach to resolving disputes with Europe over treaties should be pragmatic, focused on
improving flawed agreements rather than ripping them up" .US policy towards Israel-Palestine
conflict must return with energy/urgency. Regarding Afghanistan/Pakistan and Iraq," Bush
administration'sunilateralist approach has let allies off hook: given them excuse to shirk these
and other global responsibilities. Democratic administration would not be so dismissive of allies
on issues that matter to them" since exercises truly international rather than exclusively US.
Similar approaches are relevant to spread of weapons of mass destruction(WMD)." Democratic
administration should use every tool at disposal to prevent WMD threats from arising before
force becomes only option" . Listed issues include Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction
Program with Russia, and "global effort to secure nuclear materials at all such sites" .Others
sites described are North Korea and Iran. Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT)might add "new bargain"
helping non-nuclear countries develop nuclear energy. Many more issues are brief.
Sheri Berman & Kathleen R.McNamara"Bank on Democracy: Why Central Banks Need Public
Oversight"Foreign Affairs Vol.78/No.2 (Mar/Apr 99). - while the current tendency among
economist and financial experts is to urge the maximum degree of independence for central
banks, including the European Central Bank, the authors argue that while such autonomy may
have advantages in certain fields, it is not universally more efficient in financial terms. More
important, they feel, it gives the banks almost completefreedom from democratic oversight and
control in areas and policies that are of great public importance, even if the specifics are highly
esoteric.
Christoph Bertram, "Multilateral Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution" Survival Vol.37/No.4(Winter
95-96):-examines potential role of UN etc. through study of recent military conflicts. Seeks to
determine most successful conditions to prevent or halt conflict, and how military force can best
be used to this end.
Richard K. Betts, "The New Politics of Intelligence: Will Reforms Work This Time?" Foreign
AffairsVol.83/No.3(May/ Jun 04):-while relates to optimal improvements to US top-level
intelligence use, much of discussion/advice relevant to relationship between policy-makers and
intelligence-commanders in any country. "Danger stems from gap between urge to do something
and uncertainty about just whatsomething could be...At end of day, strongest defense against
intelligence mistakes will come less from any structural or procedural tweak than from good
sense, good character, and good mental habits of senior officials" .Not mentioned in FA, but
relevant to both intelligence and diplomatic/defense/securitystaff effectiveness is ability to speak
relevant foreign languages. The Economist 15 May 04 "ARABIC: Speak Up" (56):-how British and
other governments need to ensure sufficient national facilities to train civil servants/university
students that need special language ability. Economist 17 Jul 04 "Sincere Deceivers"
(Edit.11-2)and "Intelligence Failures: The Weapons That Weren't" (23-5):-both US and British
governments analysed positions of intelligence forces in giving President Bush and PM Blair
respectivelyreports that made their bosses announce need to attack Iraq because it constituted
regime both able to use/pass to terrorists weapons of mass destruction(WMD)and, in case of
Bush, willing to support attacks by al-Qaeda. Both governments' reports criticize their
intelligence forces as hinting more positive threats than should have been derived from their
information, influenced by views/desires of heads of government. But US system considerably
worse in this respect. Gives full information about two analyses and comments on politically
inclined intelligence, and mentions future effects. Efraim Halevy "In Defence of the Intelligence
Services" Economist 31 Jul 04(By Invite 21-3):-author was head 98-02 of Mossad, Israel's
intelligence service. Essence of well-written thesis: "Committees of inquiry into US and British
intelligence failures may have left West less secure." Basic critique is that of professional
intelligence officer, and views are of expertise/relevance. However, one does get background
implied of support for attack on Iraq, even if intelligence is ambiguous - an Israeli need?
Economist 07 Aug 04 "New Non-Fiction: The al-Qaeda Code" (69):-favourable review of famous
government document published as book 567pp long: The 9/11 Commission Report: Final
Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
(Norton).Something to be emulated by all future government reports. Economist 14 Aug 04 "The
CIA: The Right Man?" (26):-short item regarding politically hot issue in US. Criticism of
intelligence produced recently by CIA resulted in: (1) criticism of CIA director who also had acted
as coordinating national head of all US intelligence groups; (2)resignation of CIA director in
reaction to criticism. President Bush has nominatedCongressman Porter Goss as friend and
experienced eight-term Republican, once CIA agent and recently chairman of House Intelligence
Committee. Already controversy over Goss' appropriateness, although Bush agreed coordination
of all US intelligence services will in future be carried out by another, new, separate position.
Economist 28 Aug "The CIA: For the Scrap-Heap?" (28):-another short item reports on proposal
of Pat Roberts, Republican chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee. He recommended new
National Intelligence Service "run by hugely powerful director, backed by four assistant
directors, each responsible for different phase of intelligence process. CIA would be dismantled,
and its departments assigned to relevant assistant director. Control over other intelligence
agencies would be wrested from Defence Department and FBI." Many experts claim proposals
are wrong; some prefer more: diverse recruits, work with foreign agencies, and human
intelligence-gathering.
Jagdish Bhagwati "Free Trade Today"(Princeton: Princeton Univ Press 02):-while only 140pp
long (including Preface and Index), and presented in the form of three Lectures (with multiple
footnotes - mainly identifying sources), this famous book is often described as the greatest
defense for global free trade ever written. Dustcover claims:"Forcefully, elegantly, and clearly
written for the public by one of the foremost economic thinkers of our day [Professor at
Columbia Univ. and a special adviser to UN and particularly GATT/WTO], this volume is not
merely accessible but essential reading for anyone interested in economic policy orin the world
economy". Titles: LECTURE 1: "Confronting Conventional Threats to Free Trade: The Postwar
Revolution in the Theory of Commercial Policy"; LECTURE 2: "'Fair Trade', Income Distribution,
and Social Agendas: Using Trade Theory to Meet New Challenges"; LECTURE 3: "Getting to Free
Trade: Alternative Approaches and Their Theoretical Rationale". While 1 is difficult for those
without economic training, 2 and 3 can be easily handled by any who regularly read international
affairs. Editor's own summary: "Bhagwati applies critical insights from revolutionary
developments in commercial policy theory... to show how the pursuit of social and
environmental agendas can be creatively reconciled withthe pursuit of free trade. Indeed, he
argues that free trade, by raising living standards, can serve these agendas far better than can
a descent into trade sanctions and restrictions. [H]e argues in support of multilateralism and
advances a withering critique of recent bilateral and regional free trade agreements". Bhagwati's
also famous"In Defense of Globalization"(Oxford Univ 04), offers a 300+pp broader approach.
Nancy Birdsall "Life Is Unfair: Inequality in the World" Foreign Policy No.111(Summer 98):-ratio
of average income of world's richest country to poorest grown from about 9 to 1 around century
ago to at least 60 to 1 today; 80% of world's population in states generating only 20% of world
income. National-income divide between well-educated elite and vulnerable/unskilled usually
both evident/widening. Many causes: history; demography; access; policies(trade/ labour/
services/ investment).Now technology/computers play key role: information and skills are key
assets. Hence essential to provide maximum of education/opportunity; states must use labour,
and trade/equal access better. "The real danger...growing inequality may become lightning rod
for populist rhetoric and self-defeating isolation" .
Nancy Birdsall and Arvind Subramanian, "Saving Iraq From Its Oil" Foreign Affairs
Vol.83/No.4(Jul/Aug 04):-reports on essential poor-country assets that delay democracy. "Oil
riches are far from blessing they are often assumed to be. In fact, countries often end up poor
precisely because they are oil rich. Oil and mineral wealth can be bad for growth and bad for
democracy, since they tend to impede developmentof institutions and values critical to open,
market-based economies and political freedom: civil liberties, rule of law, protection of property
rights, and political participation" .In both this and Fareed Zakaria The Future of
Freedom(73-6)(op.cit.)oil/minerals criticized for "richness" .[In my view, serious fault relates not
inherently to basic/processed elements(still essential to global economy; no harm to many
states; maybe sole globalization starter locally available), but to any extremely narrow
concentration of any local affluence, whatever produced it(slaves? elephant tusks?
diamonds?)].Essay is (otherwise)useful in reporting how often developing countries badly run
when they have local oil production, and hence all Iraqi oil profits should ideally be passed
directly to all Iraqi citizens individually.
Linda S. Bishai "Sovereignty and Minority Rights: Interrelations and Implications" Global
GovernanceVol.4/No.2(Apr/ Jun 98):-addresses growing global source of conflict and structural
dilemma for UN. Basis: sovereignty generally treated as all-or-nothing legal concept. Shows that
identifications with statehood/territory/total domestic authority -let alone with nationalism- have
limited history, generating growing frustration/separatist demands from minority groups and
compete with globalization. But as EUshows "nations" can have "sovereignty" in all key cultural
fields while being part of larger state for other purposes. Can this not be tried globally? If
arguments of interest, "article argues that new conceptions of sovereignty should be directed
toward nonterritorial aspects. Four parts to...argument. First explains zero-sum nature of
territorial state and problems it poses for liberal multiculturalism. Second reviews
varioushistorical types of political community and dual emergence of modern theories of
sovereignty/liberalism. Third reveals historical interrelatedness of conceptions of sovereignty
and minority, and problem causedfor international system. Last part discusses nature of
indicated reconceptualizations ofsovereignty/minorities, and prospective impact they may have
on international institutions" .
Susan Blackmore, The Meme Machine(New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999):-since Darwin's
Origin of Species posited human evolution by natural means without metaphysical intervention,
a heated debate has ensued over whether/how Homo sapiens is unique, e.g. by possessing a
soul or free will. UN is affected, e.g. regarding technology, health care and law. This well-written
book builds on many theories relating to theconcept of "memes" . Unique to Homo sapiens, like
genes they are replicators but, unlike genes which replicate(copy)physical templates of parents
in offspring, memes transmit words, ideas, beliefs and tastes, mainly by imitation, i.e. spread
through peoples' activities. Author contends memes produced our large brains, language ability
and altruism. Among less positive influences she includes sexual mores, myths(UFO, NDE,
superstition, alternative medicine, religion(sic)). Soul/free-will are out.
Tony Blair "A Year of Huge Challenges" The Economist 01 Jan 05(By Invitation 44-6):-British PM
presents two major global initiatives, to urge G8 to organize and substantially pay(Britain: 05
president).Essay makes strong cases in favor since, "with threat from international terrorism and
spread of weapons of mass destruction.,. they are most serious problems facing world today
[and] problems beyond power of any single country...Solution requires co-ordinated
international action, and above all leadershipwhich G8 is uniquely placed to give. The two
initiatives relate to solving African issues and attacking climate change. Here the only material
summarized is on Sorting Out Africa. "[P]lagued with problems - debt, disease, conflict,
corruption, weak governance - so embedded/widespread that no continent, no matter how
prosperous, could tackle on its own.[Details of problems provided.]Should this matter to rest of
world?For democratic governments, it should, because it matters to our citizens.[I]t can't be
morally right, in world growing more prosperous/healthier,..that one in six African children still
die before fifth birthday. Worldwide campaign to make poverty history rightly challenges us to
act...We must now all accept utter futility of trying to shut our borders to problems
abroad.[Famine/conflict]create conditions for terrorism/fanaticismto take root and spread[to
globe.]Prosperous Africa, where people have chance to fulfil their talents, is in all our
interests[while] sheer scale of Africa's problems can induce understandable sense
ofhopelessness. Governance been improving faster...than in many other areas[,and]Africa Union
playingincreasing role in settling conflicts.[B]est way to reduce poverty is through economic
growth.[This]can be increased by aid[that involves greater donation/effectiveness.] But to help
Africa continue progresswe need...coordinated global effort[,including]concerted action to
improve opportunities/growth, reduce debt, tackle HIV/malaria/TB, fight corruption, promote
peace/security. We also need to tackle trade barriers...I hope G8 will agree not only to plan of
action but also to its implementation, a process of monitoring and review. We all need to be
accountable for carrying out commitments we have made." Changing Climate is on "twin" item,
to keep their lengths reasonable. Starts are similar, but theirmain texts/distributions differ.
John R. Bolton, "The Global Prosecutors: Hunting War Criminals in the Name of Utopia" in
Foreign AffairsVol.78/ No.1(Jan/Feb 99):-critical review takes issue with book views of Aryeh
Neier, War Crimes: Brutality, Genocide, Terror and the Struggle for Justice(New York: Times
Books, 1998); Martha Minow, Between Vengeance and Forgiveness: Facing History After
Genocide and Mass Violence(Boston: Beacon Press, 1998). Bolton opposes international law,
claiming no existence, lacking a constitutional framework(Fassbender(op.cit.)claims UN Charter
fills that role)and lacks "political accountability, ensured through popular controls on the
creation, interpretation, and enforcement of laws" (158)(by these criteriamost laws do not exist).
But international negotiation, ICJ, Security Council and treaty-enforcement clauses all fulfill
these functions. Bolton's most extreme arguments are that "binding international law will be well
on the way toward the ultimate elimination of Treaty of Westphalia-style nation states" (162)rule
of Constitution over all US treaties. Both positions are debated: see Ku and Weiss, Manasian,
Ratner(op.cit.)on growing but not fatal sovereignty constraints, and Noyes/ABA(op.cit.): US
treaty obligations. For point-by-point rebuttal: Richard Falk "A Barbaric View" (159-60)in Letters,
May/Jun 99 issue.
Newton R. Bowles, United Nations: Less is More? A Report on the Fifty-Third General Assembly:
September-December 1998(Report to Group of 78/United Nations Association in Canada)(New
York:www.unac.org 99):-author is inter alia UNICEF Senior Advisor on Children/War/closely
involved in UNGA/other UN meetings. Excellent report covers not only highlights of 98 UNGA but
variety of related UN issues over year e.g. Security Council developments. Topics covered
selectively but analytically:Overview; General Debate(tone/highlights);Globalization
(dialogue/business-liaison);ODA/FDI Resources;Human Rights/development/UN casualties;
Humanitarian Intervention; Security Council(evolution);Conflict Prevention(education);
Peacekeeping; Disarmament(new trends);Africa(war/
poverty);Crime(ICC/Tribunals/terrorism/drugs);NGOs/Civil Society; UN Management/Funding.
Newton R. Bowles, United Nations: Hedge or Taels? A Report on the Fifty-Fourth General
Assembly: September-December 1999(Report to Group of 78/United Nations Association in
Canada)(New York:www.unac.org 00):-valuable impressions of tone/highlights of UNGA Regular
Session/related developments, particularly in Security Council. Subject titles(and main points):
World in 99(better prospects than 98; praise for UNSG/UNGA President; radical UNSG speech:
humanitarian law before sovereignty(text: Annex 1);no UNSC reform but more open; progress
on UN human rights and development role); General Debate(main value:
networking/stage-setting; main theme: massive human rights violence, armed conflict within
states; major points of notable speeches);Human Security Issues(follow-up to "Agenda for
Peace" particularly prevention; key: broad "international approach to poverty, human rights and
social/economic development" (UNGA President Statement: Annex 2);UNSC renewed activism
but no progress on membership or veto; special problems of Africa); HIV/AIDS(stress on Africa
where death toll 10 times that of wars; Statement by UNAIDS Executive-Director: Annex 3);
Conflict Prevention(improved early-warning/prevention strategies; seek social/economic root
causes); Peacekeeping(major forcesin Kosovo, Sierra Leone, East Timor, DR Congo total well
over 30,000 in 00(Operations in Annex 4);International Justice(international criminal law fairly
controversial compared with civil law; Yugoslavia and Rwanda Tribunals started from scratch
but improving; International Criminal Court: 30 Jun deadline will be met; current: new
convention on terrorism financing, working on conventions re nuclear terrorism and
comprehensive anti-terrorism; planning international conference and transnational crime
convention;Disarmament(gloomy: START II stuck in Duma; CTBT refused by Congress; ABM
may be weakened or ignored; Conference on Disarmament is paralysed; Special Assembly
Session on Disarmament unlikely;NPT review conference also unlikely; Resolution on Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space passed, but US resumed anti-missile tests; practical progress on
implementing/completing agreements on Chemical and Biological weapons, Landmines, Heavy
Weapons register, Small Arms Trade; Development(of LDC needs-investment, markets, debt
relief, only ODA is responsibility of UN proper(and aid is declining),but UN-Bank/Fund relations
closer; North-South dialogue also less confrontational; "Agenda for Development" stresses
good governance/ accountability/participation/social security; UNSG WTO speech(Annex
5)highlights LDCs' need to share globalization; 01 all-issue conference on financing
development will bring in all stakeholders); UN Aid(of $50b annual ODA, $5b through UN and $5b
World Bank; UN stresses social concerns/human development; UNDP major effort to coordinate
multilateral aid better); Business and Labour(UNSG challenged big business at Davos to "Global
Compact" tocooperate with UN on human rights/labour standards/environment; positive
response from ICC; ICFTUalso undertook to support);Humanitarian Activities(natural disasters
cost $500b in 90s; armed conflicts cost $200b in external aid, so probably over $1 trillion overall;
UN priority to avoid or mitigate natural disasters or conflicts);Human Rights(most humanitarian
law written since WWII; much being added; all aspects of human (mis)behaviour come together
at UN under human rights; UNSC adopted strong/comprehensive policy on protecting
civilians(Annex 6); in Kosovo/East Timor, UN creating entirecriminal justice and human rights
systems; UNHCHR investigating standards in 21 fields worldwide);Women's
Advancement(Special UNGA Session on Women(Jun 00)will examine implementation of
BeijingConference decisions; UNGA studied new report on role of women in
development);Children(Tenth Anniversary of Convention on Rights of Child; UNSC resolution
"strongly condemns targeting of children in situations of armed conflict" );Finance and
Management(main focus again US budget arrears followed by highly-conditional part-payment;
00-01 biennium budget $2,535m, up a symbolic $3m; staff managementstill slow/cumbersome;
excellent final report of 5-year "Internal Oversight" (quoted));Civil Societies(getsmore into basic
issues of development-globalization; UNSG for tripartite "Global Compact" :UN-business-civil
society);(Annex 7:Current Membership of UN Organs).
Charles G. Boyd "Making Bosnia Work" Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.1(Jan/Feb 98):-international
community's greatest problem, years after Dayton Accord: how to achieve aim of creating unified
Bosnia. After intense local investigation, concludes this impossible for foreseeable future, and
only solution is de facto partition, with security and economic aid provided to all groups,
continuing foreign presence, and long healing period.Letters Vol.77/No.3(May/Jun 98):offer some
counter-arguments.[My own inclination is to agree, and give up trying to create traditional
sovereign state where one has never existed before and at time when feelings are so intense.
Emphasis should be on down-grading significance of any borders in area and increasing
economic modernization/integration of Balkans so ethnicity becomes "private"
matter(again)while all benefit from working together.]
John Brademas and Fritz Heimann "Tackling International Corruption: No Longer Taboo"
Foreign AffairsVol.77/No.5 (Sep/Oct 98)(17-22):-two members of influential anti-corruption
organization, Transparency International, report on activities underway globally to control
governmental/private corruption. Progress results from the convergence of several trends:
increased openness of government processes, greater media freedom, and more independent
judiciaries, plus an awareness that corruption impedes both democracy and economic
development. Recent multilateral events: 1997 Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign
Public Officials; 1996 ICC Rules of Conduct for business; new World Bank active concern with
issue(op.cit).
Keith Bradsher "Taiwan's Bullet Trains Can't Outrun Controversy" New York Times 28 Dec 06:-
"The sleet,bulbous-nosed new bullet trains look like they are designed to whisk passengers
across wide-open spaces. But on congested island, they represent the start of a
180-mile-per-hour commuter train system.After quarter century of planning and construction,
system scheduled to open 05 Jan 07. Will tie together cities/towns where 94% Taiwan lives,
offering alternative to clogged highways and the air pollution vehicles produce. For some urban
planners/environmentalists, project is example of how Asia may... control oil imports, curb
fast-rising emissions of global-warming gases and bring higher standard of living to enormous
numbers of people in environmentally sustainable way. Passengers who travel on fully loaded
train will use only sixth of energy they would use if they drove alone in a car and willrelease only
one-ninth as much carbon dioxide... Compared with bus ride, figures are half the energyand a
quarter of carbon dioxide, train system officials said. But system's enormous cost - $15b... -
madeit a subject of dispute... Using overhead electric lines,... trains will run from Taipei down
through western Taiwan to Kaohsiung, the main industrial city in south,.. distance of 215 miles...
System will start with 19 trains in each direction daily and eventually handle 88... Most trains will
make six intermediate stops, lengthening travel time [from 90 minutes] to 2hours-7mins... The
high-speed trains travel almost entirely on specially built, 60-foot-tall viaducts to avoid need to
cross roads... Whether train system becomes commercial success will partly depend on how
many people use its somewhatinconveniently-located [new] stations, how quickly the land is
developed around these stations and how much tickets cost" . Associated Press "Taiwan High
- Speed Rail System to Debut" NYT 04 Jan 07:- "Taiwan's long-delayed high-speed rail system
geared up... to welcome its first paying passengers amid lingering safety concerns and
embarrassing ticketing glitches. [L]imited service 05 Jan 07 will cut rail travel time between
Taipei and Kaohsiung from 4 hours to 90 mins. [I]t represents colossal effort toimprove
transportation for Taiwan's 23m people, while saving energy/preserving environment. [P]roblems
that dogged it for more than a decade still apparent. [A]ngry ticket buyers complaining about
being unable to use credit cards, or receiving wrong change from ticket machines... When full
servicebegins, four domestic airlines expected main casualty [as] vast majority [within] 2 hours
from Taipei".
Duane Bratt "Peace Over Justice: Developing a Framework for UN Peacekeeping Operations in
Internal Conflicts" Global Governance Vol.5/No.1(Jan-Mar 99):-while UN's "purpose" is to
"maintain international peace/security" ,many Charter references to human rights make clear
second objective to improve political/economic/social justice. Priority and resource dilemmas
arise when aims equally demanding or mutually exclusive, mainly in facing internal conflicts.
Argues that, besides Charter ranking, obvious precedence of saving lives and doing most urgent
first, means peace must have priority. Moreover, thisreduces perception of UN "imperialism" and
alien priorities as well as criticism UN forces "helping" one sideby(aiding in)delivering
humanitarian assistance or seizing war criminals. Still, agonizing global "triage" may be only
solution to choosing among "peace" options.
Simon Briscoe & Hugh Aldersey-Williams Panicology :Subtitle on Book Cover Only: What Are
You Afraid Of? Two Statisticians Explain What's Worth Worrying About (and What's Not) in the
21st Century (London: Viking 08):-after a brief Introduction, the 300-page book offers essays on
42 specialized subjects in hopefully objective terms and the most up-to-date statistics. Each
essay is inclined to lampoon deliberately-scary headlines that were inclined to raise excessive
worries on the subject. My main/chronic criticism is that many essays apply solely to the UK
situation or primarily to the West, whereas most issues are clearly of global concern - and are
studied globally by UN (multiple UN summaries op. cit.). The chapter titles are followed by my
own subjects of the relevant essays. (1) Sex, Marriage and Children: Population Issues; Family
Units and Children; Getting Married; Sexual Attitudes. (2) Health: Obesity; Salt Consumption;
Bird Flu; Hospital-Acquired Infections; Kids' Triple Vaccines; Sudden Infant Death Syndromes.
(3) Passing the Time: Accidents from Physical Art; Heavy Drinking of Alcohol; Cinema
Admissions; Collection of Sports Cards. (4) Social Policy: Pensions; Household Debts; House
Prices; Immigration; Deaths Through Transport; Accidents Through Mobile Phones; (5) The
Workplace: Globalization's Effects on Employment; Women's Pay; Work-Related Stress;
Repetitive Strain Injury; (6) Law and Order: Terrorist Threats; Military Threats; Numbers in
Prison; Crime Figures; (7) Natural World: Ozone Depletion; Hurricanes; Climate Change; Sea-Level Rise; Earthquakes and Volcanos; New Ice Age? (8) Our Declining Resources: Extinctions;
Fisheries Issues; Languages. (9) Modern Science: Genetically Modified Food; Nanotechnology;
Nuclear Radiation. (10) They're Coming to Get You: UFO Reports; Asteroids.
Harry G.Broadman"China and India Go to Africa: New Deals in the Developing World"(95-109)
Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.2(Mar/Apr 08):-official summary: "Economic activity between Africa and
Asia, especially China and India, is booming like never before. If the problems and imbalances
this sometimes creates are managed well, this expanding engagement could be an
unprecedented opportunity for Africa's growth and for its integration into the global economy".
Broadman is Economic Adviser for the Africa Region at the World Bank, and author of Africa's
Silk Road: China and India's New Economic Frontier(World Bank 07). Views in FA are his own.
Bill Bryson A Short History of Nearly Everything(New York: Broadway Books 03):-pre-bestseller
author of many/widely-varied books, undertook "informative journey into world of science,.. his
greatest challenge yet: to understand - and, if possible, answer - oldest, biggest questions...
about the universe and ourselves... Result is a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and
always supremely clear/entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge"(publisher).
Even new "lavishly illustrated" Nov 05 hardcover edition of 624pp available from Barnes & Noble
to all @US$28.00. Favourable Ed Regis NYT review(18 May 03)states:"Bryson achieved exactly
what he'd set out to do, and, moreover, [did] it in stylish, efficient, colloquial and stunningly
accurate prose... The basic facts of physics, chemistry, biology, botany, climatology, geology -
all these and many more are presented with exceptional clarity and skill". My own reaction is that
this easily available/readable reference on all not-personally-specialised scientific subjects
should ideally be read - or at least be used for topic-reference - by all in this very unstable world.
Zbigniew Brzezinski "Hegemonic Quicksand" The National Interest Winter 03/04(5-16):-long
article on future instability excerpted from The Choice, Global Domination or Global Leadership.
Claims unstable but new "Global Balkans" (developing similar to past "European Balkans" )is
region between Europe and Far East. "For next several decades, most volatile and dangerous
region of world - with explosive potential to plunge world into chaos - will be crucial swathe[from
approximately Suez Canal to Xinjiang, and fromRusso-Kazakh border to southern
Afghanistan]...Here that America could slide into collision with world of Islam while
American-European policy differences could even cause Atlantic Alliance to come unhinged.
Two eventualities together could then put prevailing American global hegemony at
risk.[C]hallengeAmerica now confronts, dwarfs what it faced half-century ago in Western Europe
[since]to promote global security will be pacification and then cooperative organization of region
that contains world's greatest concentration of political injustice, social deprivation,
demographic congestion and potential for high-intensity violence. But region also contains most
of world's oil and natural gas...In 2020 area projected to produce roughly 42m barrels of oil per
day - 39% of global production total...No self-evident answers to such basic questions as how
and with whom America should be engaged in helping to stabilize area, pacifyit and eventually
cooperatively organize it." Then notes that some states in area could be US potential key
partners: Turkey, Israel, India, and Russia. All four are then examined in detail but ruled out for
various reasons. "Ultimately US can look to only one genuine partner...:Europe. Although it will
need help of leading East Asian states like Japan and China...neither likely at this stage to
become heavily engaged. OnlyEurope...potential capacity in political, military and economic
realms to pursue jointly with US task of engaging various Eurasian peoples...US and Europe
together represent array of physical and experientialassets with capacity to make decisive
difference in shaping political future of Global Balkans...European engagement will not occur,
however, if expected to consist of simply following US lead" .Latter portionof paper discusses
whether and how US and Europe can work together in improving issues of area. Specific
attention made to problems: Arab-Israeli peace, Iraq, Iran, Gulf states, Caucasus and Central
Asia, Caspian Basin. Final comments relate to" need to contain both proliferation of WMD and
terrorist epidemic." Paper ends:" One should not forget that struggling alone makes quicksand
only more dangerous."
Robert Buckman, Can We Be Good Without God? An Exploration of Behaviour, Belonging and
the Need to Believe (Toronto: Penguin 01):-while author both medical doctor/atheist, not
designed to criticize religionor to scientifically support atheism. One major concern: religions
generate specific/competinginterpretations of "goodness" , developing critical link between
"good and god." Also offers perspective "onconnection between behaviour and belief -
connection between ethics and religion." Such diversified convictions held by each faithful
group have produced unrealistic and unjust frictions. "The world will be better place if we all
believe whatever we wish, but behave as if there is no deity to sort out humankind's problems."
Global issues described may indeed become worse or easier.
Hedley Bull, The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics(Second Edition)
(Houndmills: Macmillan Press 95):-new edition of seminal work on state system surprisingly
retains original 77 text. ItsUN-relevant aim was to determine whether system would/should
survive -and alternatives. Concluded very little change was possible or needed. Interest today
derives from how much of original argumentundercut by extraordinary changes of past 20 years,
particularly constraints on state sovereignty by:globalization of information/ manufacture/
finance; new global imperatives/power centers/vacuums; novel capacities/threats. For firm
support see Hoffmann(op.cit.).
Jason Burke"Al-Qaeda: Casting a Shadow of Terror"(New York: I.B.Tauris & Co 03):-while I read
this book long after summarizing Burke‛s valuable article in 04 Foreign Policy(op cit), many of
author‛s FP views also stated/implied in book, so aren‛t repeated. Book, however, is a valuable -
and concentrated(300 pp) - report on the origins/members/relationships/aims of "al-Qaeda" in
global terms, plus involvement of bin Laden to events of 11 Sep 01. Material is derived from both
author‛s extraordinary interviews/experience and information from many other personal sources.
Advice in book‛s conclusion is of special importance - and has much in common with
"Christopher Spencer" item: "We [West] need to counter the twisted vision of world that is
becoming so prevalent. Every time force is used it reinforces that vision by providing more
evidence of a ‛clash of civilisations‛ and a ‛cosmic struggle‛... ‛War on terror‛ should have a
military component [:] hardened militants cannot be rehabilitated[; b]ut if we are to win battle
against terrorism, our strategies must be made broader and more sophisticated. [G]reatest
weapon available in war on terrorism is the courage, decency, humour and integrity of the vast
proportion of the world‛s Muslims [-] restricting the spread of ‛al-Qaeda‛ and its warped
worldview. [B]attle between West and men like bin Laden...is not a battle for global supremacy.
It is a battle for hearts and minds [-] battle we, and our allies in the Muslim world, losing. [Yet all]
modern Islamic terrorism... can be acted on by well-judged, properly executed policies. Causes
of terrorism must be addressed, careful analysis of...threat...undertaken, moderate Muslim
leaders engaged, spread of hardline strands of Islam rolled back, and enormous effort to counter
growing sympathy for ‛al-Qaeda‛ worldview must be made... All terrorist violence, ‛Islamic‛ or
otherwise, is unjustifiable/unforgivable/cowardly/contemptible. But just because we condemn
does not mean we should not strive to comprehend. We need to keep asking why"(249-50).
Jason Burke"THINK AGAIN: Al Qaeda"Foreign Policy No.142(May/Jun 04):-summarizing (global)
public (mis)concepts about current capacities and aims of al Qaeda forces and ideas, and its
future strength, Burke, chief reporter of Britain's Observer and author of Al Qaeda: Casting a
Shadow of Terror(New York: I.B.Tauris 03)(op cit),offers nine widely believed views about issues,
and then denies accuracy of each. "Al Qaeda Is a Global Terrorist Organization" -NO. "It is less
an organization than an ideology...Today, structure that was built in Afghanistan has been
destroyed... There is no longer a central hub for Islamic militancy. But al Qaeda workview... is
growing stronger every day." "Capturing or Killing Bin Laden Will Deal a Severe Blow to Al
Qaeda" -WRONG "If...he surrenders without a fight, which is very unlikely, many followers will
be deeply disillusioned. If he achieves martyrdom in way that his cohorts can spin as heroic, he
will beinspiration for generations to come. Either way, bin Laden's removal from scene will not
stop Islamic militancy. "The Militants Seek to Destroy the West So They Can Impose a Global
Islamic State" -FALSE "Islamic militants' main objective is not conquest, but to beat back what
they perceive as an aggressive West. [S]econdary goal is establishment of...single Islamic state,
in lands roughly corresponding to furthest extent of Islamic empire." "The Militants Reject
Modern Ideas in Favor of Traditional Muslim Theology" -NO "Islamic hard-liners...have little
compunction about embracing tools that modernity provides... [M]ilitants are framing modern
political concerns ...within mythic and religious narrative. They do not reject modernization per
se, but...resent their failure to benefit from that modernization." "Since the Rise of Al Qaeda,
Islamic Moderates Have Been Marginalized" -INCORRECT "Al Qaeda represents lunatic fringe
of political thought in Islamic world. While al Qaeda has made significant inroads in recent years,
only tiny minority of world's 1.3b Muslims adhere to its doctrine." "The Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict Is Central to the Militants' Cause" -WRONG "Televised images... reinforce militants' key
message that lands of Islam under attack, and that all Muslims must rise up and fight.
However,...resolution...would not end threat of militant Islam...Two-state solution...would still
leave 'Zionist entity' intact." "Sort Out Saudi Arabia and the Whole Problem Will Disappear" -NO
"Inequities of Saudi system... continues to create sense of disenfranchisement that allows
extremism to flourish...Saudi Arabia is one of many causes of modern Islamicmilitancy, but it has
no monopoly on blame." "It Is Only a Matter of Time Before Islamic Militants Use Weapons of
Mass Destruction" -CALM DOWN "Although Islamic militants...have attempted to develop basic
chemical or biological arsenal, efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to technical
difficulty...Islamic militants far more likely to use conventional bombs or employ conventional
devices in imaginative ways." "The West Is Winning the War on Terror" -UNFORTUNATELY, NO
"If countries to win war on terror, must eradicate enemies without creating new ones...Invasion
of Iraq...has made task more pressing... Ben Laden's aim to radicalize/mobilize. He is closer to
achieving goals than West is to deterring him".
Jason Burke"It May Well Take 20 Years. But al-Qaeda‛s Days Are Numbered"Guardian 10 Sep
06:-Special Report by expert/famous journalist, published five years after "9/11", claims: "Osama
bin Laden waits in vain for a Muslim ‛awakening‛. The lure of the West is just too powerful a
force". Full Burke text (plus 70 optional pages of the item‛s wide Email reactions) is available:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/alqaida/story/0,,1869182,00.html. Highlights: "There is a sense that
history, far from ending, is accelerating. That the centre cannot hold. That the individual counts
for nothing. [Burke‛s reactions to some of bin Laden‛s 01 claims: H]e was wrong. Yes, there is
increasing radicalisation. Yes, a new and powerfully globalised ‛Muslim‛ identity is spreading,
aided by communications technology that renders national frontiers obsolete. Yes, there is a
small, if growing, number of Muslims who are attracted to ‛al-Qaedism‛ in its largest sense. But
truth is that out of a total of 1.6b Muslims, very few have joined terrorist organisations. In [some
Muslim] countries... there has been strong counter-reaction to the atrocities... World‛s Muslims
are not behaving as bin Laden wants them to... The [London] bombs were a strike against a
continuing and largely successful process of integration on a national scale. The attacks across
the world in the past five years are strikes against a similar process of integration on an
international scale. This process is largely driven by the continuing popularity and attraction of
the Western model of secular liberal democracy, Enlightment values, and capitalist economics.
It is the success of this model that has provoked the violence against it, not its failure. [N]eed
to ask why so many people... recently came to view the apparently ineluctable process of
Westernisation. [T]he arithmetic of terrorism means that you only need a small shift in public
opinion to create enough angry individuals to cause a major problem... The appeal of the West
is founded not just on a dream of a high level of material comfort but also on the satisfaction of
basic and universal human values such as dignity, protection of life and justice. This gives West
considerable moral capital,.. a fragile commodity... profligately spent in recent years... But for
all the clumsiness with which the misconceived ‛war on terror‛ has been handled, the attraction,
however conflicted, of ‛the West‛ for billions of people remains our greatest strength. Remember
that and, over 10 or 20 years, it will become clear bin Laden‛s life or death will indeed have no
significance. He and his kind will have been consigned to the history books". Related Burke
volume is:On the Road to Kandahar(Bond Street Books 06 or St. Martin‛s Press 07)"From one
of world‛s leading experts..how we are to get to grips with radical Islam/what it really means".
Mayra Buvinic,"Women in Poverty: A New Global Underclass"in Foreign Policy Number 108 (Fall
1997):-there is disturbing evidence that increased national income and female employment has
not preventedlowered living standards for the poorest women - particularly single parents.
Investment in family-planning and health services, education, credit, infrastructure, etc. to their
benefit pays big dividends. Some claim it is the world's best.
Barry Buzan and Gerald Segal, Anticipating the Future: Twenty Millennia of Human
Progress(London: Simon & Schuster 1998):-this book is both stimulating and misleading -points
made in Reviews in both The Economist 14 Feb 98(12)and Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.2(Mar/Apr
1998)(134-9). In spite of its title, almost entire book deals with broad sweep of human past and
present, in order to put 1998 and our possible futures into focus. It does it clearly/usefully if in
fairly orthodox terms. "Future" section anticipates UN system stymied, mainly by US, requiring
replacement. My criticism is that it underestimates depth and acceleration of current global
change(INTRODUCTION or Bull-op.cit.).
Kevin M.Cahill edit. Preventive Diplomacy: Stopping Wars Before They Start(New York: Basic
Books 96):-unusually valuable/varied source of information/views on UN issues by 20 top
experts in their fields. While "preventive action" and medical parallel provide unifying theme of
sorts, each(UN/diplomatic/NGO/government/medical, etc. background) provides unique and
often unexpected focus. A good trend!
Frances Cairncross The Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution Will Change
Our Lives(Boston: Harvard Business School 97):-superb survey for non-experts. Major
globally-relevant points:distance will no longer determine costs of electronic communication;
location will no longer be key in most business decisions; most people will get access to
omni-address, two-way, picture-capable, selective filterablenetworks; global bonds will join
like-minded; roles of home and office will become blurred; distanceeducation will be easy; there
will be rapid and global information dispersal; qualified people will become ultimate scarce
resources; state info-control and privacy will both be reduced; while there will be global pay
levelling for similar work, there will be more divergence by job; global/urban migration will
lessen as standards level; taxes will be harder to collect, so they will be lowered to attract skills;
cities will concentrateless work but more culture; English will strengthen its global role, but
cultures will generally be reinforcedby new opportunities; written communication will improve
in quality; governments will become moresensitive to public views; cause of peace will be
helped by mutual experience/needs among people. Many trends will stress increased global
cooperation. See also Brief: TV globalization Economist 29 Nov 97(71-2). Overall, many
predictions would strengthen both global human rights and equality.
Frances Cairncross, "A Survey of E-Management: Inside the Machine" The Economist 11 Nov
00(1-40):-while aimed at business, text relevant to development, economics/finance/
jobs/education, globalization, government, HR, law, S&T, many UN roles. "Change has not only
become more rapid, but also more complex and more ubiquitous" (5). Behind resulting
uncertainty in all forms of management liesInternet/related technologies, whose evolution/impact
only just starting. It offers new communicationsand distribution channel, market place,
information system, and tool for creating goods and services, all driven by dramatic falls in cost
of handling/transmitting information. It produces "almost instant" andpossibly huge productivity
gains, at minimal expense for hard- and soft-ware, but demands ten times that investment in new
"organizational capital" .Survey analyses: internal communications; links with suppliers/sources
and customers/consumers; organizational changes; good e-management. Last
needs:1.Speed;2.Good People;3.Openness;4.Collaboration Skills;5.Discipline;6.Good
Communications;7.Content-Management Skills;8.Customer Focus;9.Knowledge
Management;10.Leadership by Example.
Frances Cairncross "A Survey of Illegal Drugs: High Time" The Economist 28 Jul
01(1-16):-excellent report on global status, system and knowledge of illegal drugs. It makes
strong case for their legalization, aimed mainly at current situation in US. In essence, drug
industry consists of production, transport and saleof "simple agricultural extracts and chemical
compounds...for astonishing prices[,which]directly reflectthe ferocious efforts by the rich
countries to suppress [them]" . Effect is to create huge -and highly profitable- escalation from
production to import to retail prices. Per kilo, farmers get $90 for opium and $610 for coca
leaves. Import prices of resulting heroin and cocaine are about 10-15% of retail prices in rich
countries, where heroin can sell for $290,000 and cocaine powder for $110,000 per kilo. Annual
globaltobacco sales total $204b; alcohol $252b; rough guesses of illegal drugs sales
vary:$150b(author);$200b(UN)(3). Much material is derived from a major new study: Robert
MacCoun and Peter Reuter Drug War Heresies: Learning from Other Vices, Times, and
Places(Cambridge Univ. Press). Cairncross argues that, while not underestimating harm drug
misuse can do to individuals and "moral fury drug-taking can arouse,...outrage has turned out
to be a poor basis for policy" . In US, where anti-drugpolicy costs $35-40b a year, it has "eroded
civil liberties, locked up unprecedented numbers of young blacks and Hispanics ...corroded
foreign policy[and]proved a dismal rerun of[Prohibition. Yet as US now]probably consume[s]
more drugs per head...than most other countries[,its]experience demonstrates the awkward
reality that there is little connection between the severity of a drugs policy...and prevalence of
use...At the heart of the debate...lies a moral question: what duty does the state have to protect
individual citizens from harming themselves?" (4/5). Here she supports John Stuart Mills' "On
Liberty" :'Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign'. "So a first
priority is to look formeasures that reduce the harm drugs do, both to users and to society at
large" (5). "Big Business" describes recent history and current structure of global drugs
industry: where and how drugsoriginate, are processed, shipped, and sold and who is involved
at various stages/places. In sum: "drugs industry is simple and profitable. Its simplicity makes
it relatively easy to organize; its profitability makes ithard to stop. At every level, its pricing and
its structure are shaped by the high level of risk from enforcement" (6). "Choose Your Poison"
discusses who uses drugs and why. Most drug users live in thepoor world(China, Pakistan,
Colombia). Future growth will be concentrated in developing countries andformer USSR.
Markets with big money are in rich world - which also prefers drugs with fewest side-effectsand
least likely to cause addiction. Most drug users are "occasional dabblers" ,so a minority of
usersaccount for bulk of consumption. "Most drugs do not appear to be physically addictive"
(including cannabis and amphetamines)but: "Heroin is a true addiction, with a recovery rate of
40-50%...With cocaine, therecovery rate is around 90%" (9). A third of US heroin users are
dependent(80% of cigarette smokers areaddicted). Idea that soft drugs lead on to hard drugs
turns out to be nonsense. "The Harm Done" deals with drugs' negative effects on users and
society. Abusing drugs wrecks many lives. For those dependent, pleasure -often their original
motive- "consists mainly of avoiding the pain of giving up[;however, m]ost drug users ultimately
stop when drugs no longer fit their lifestyle.[Also, with exception]of heroin, drugs contribute to
far fewer deaths among...users than...nicotine or alcohol[,and c]onsuming a drug is rarely the
only cause of death" (9)(dirty needles). Although drugs may affect brain activity(even cannabis
might possibly do damage), The Lancet concludes:" It would be reasonable to judge cannabis
less of a threat than tobacco or alcohol" ,while it could help treat nausea, appetite loss, pain and
anxiety. Besides healthproblems, drugs have been linked to domestic violence, grogginess, bad
driving, and much petty crime.Here government is right to intervene -but best way is not
necessarily to ban drugs. "Stopping It" describeshow governments try unsuccessfully to stop
the flow of drugs. US Prohibition, though milder than its drug policies, foreshadowed many
current problems. Most important, " the attempt to stamp out drugs has had effects more
devastating than those of the drugs themselves" (10) - and on global stage. Because of vast
profits, reflecting low costs/high prices, suppression of drug-growing in some regions simply
shifts production/related problems, with little durable effect on supply. Even huge drug seizures
do not affect prices, and essential corruption can be bought at all levels. Demand is also hard
to reduce despite harsh penalties, because of popular cultures, huge numbers who want to buy,
and desperation of addicts. "Collateral Damage" looks at varied indirect costs of criminalizing
drugs. Among "victims" : Law enforcement and legal system are at minimum distorted, with
investigative and court standards loweredand at worst corrupted. Mere drug users jailed(US
mandatory minimum: 5-10 years for possession of few grams of drugs)for usually harmless
and(in Mill's sense)strictly personal acts. Many released dangerouslyscarred, drug-addicted
and/or HIV-infected. Basic civil liberties and freedom from state intrusion are at minimum
constrained. Education/social benefit/job impeding criminal records are branded on previously
non-criminal and perhaps exemplary citizens. US rate of incarceration for drug offences(74%
black)is totally at odds with the racial mix of drug users(13% black)because more
blacks/Hispanics have to buy(vulnerably)on the street. Both huge US costs of drug enforcement
and substantial drug taxes are unavailable for better purposes, while criminals/rogue states
enjoy revenues of $80-100b a year. "Better Ways" probes variousalternatives to enforcement for
controlling drug use. Education is a possibility, but apparently has at bestlimited effect. For
habitual drug users, "harm reduction" is more promising(methadone programs,
needle-exchange centres, prescription heroin). Very successful Swiss program includes all three
in its "heroin maintenance" clinics. These care for 1000 most problematic of 33,000 Swiss heroin
addicts. Most are given anti-addictive heroin-substitute methadone, but most "chaotic" are
initiallygiven "pharmaceutical" heroin daily. They are not pushed towards abstinence since:
"People can tolerate regular doses of heroin for long periods, but if they give up for a period and
then start again, they run a big risk of overdosing" (14). Of those who drop out of full "heroin
maintenance" , two-thirds move on to either methadone or abstinence. Even while still on heroin,
most can get full-time jobs, end trouble with police, and hardly ever attempt suicide or contract
HIV. Vast majority are also taking cocaine on first arrival(29%: daily)but after 18 months 93% take
it never or only occasionally(there is no" methadone" for cocaine). Dutch "principle of
expediency" aims to "separate the markets for illegal drugs to keep users of'soft'ones away from
dealers in the harder versions, and to avoid marginalising drug users" (14). While cannabis
remains illegal, some" coffee shops" may sell small quantities under strict rules without
prosecution. Both Swiss and Dutch governments want to legalize marijuana but restrain because
UN convention prevents themfrom(formally)legalizing " possession of and trade in cannabis"
. US opinion is moving in same direction, andseveral states(plus Canada) already allow medical
use of marijuana(73% of US supported this by 1999). "Set It Free" addresses issue of how best
to decriminalize drugs if it is so decided. They would effectively be put on par with tobacco and
alcohol, and both possession and trade would have to be legalised, but under systems which
could reflect each drug's relative danger and with appropriate quality control. Number of users
would inevitably rise. (1) Prices would certainly be lower(maybe much lower)since
appropriatetaxes could not be so high as to encourage smuggling and crime again. (2) Access
to drugs would beeasier and quality-assured. (3)Social stigma against use of drugs would
diminish. (4)Might be strongcommercialization with corresponding pressure to consume more.
(5)Even with consumer age-limits,younger market is certain to grow. But "nobody knows quite
what drives the demand for drugs" (16); itmay respond most to price, to fashion, to social
standards - or to local culture. Hence best to move slowly, thus building experience, and
cautiously start with just marijuana and amphetamines. International cooperation is needed to
"minimise drug tourism and smuggling" (UN role?). Hard drugsshould be sold only through
licenced outlets(pharmacies?). Above is well summarized in Editorial "The Case For Legislation"
(11-12), although it makes "stronger case for principle" (John Stuart Mill)and terrible harm drug
trade in doing in poor world. Finally it notes that good health and safety rules could be
applied.Economist 25 Aug 01 Letters: "Legalising Drugs" (16-7):-includes number of reactions
to above. Majority raise disagreement, but all are thoughtful and constructive.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace/FP Special Report"China Rising: How the Asian
Colossus Is Changing Our World"Foreign Policy No.146(Jan/Feb 05):-in fall 04, Carnegie
"convened some of world's leading thinkers on China to take stock of political and economic
consequences of country's rapid ascent[visit: www.CarnegieEndowment.org/ChinaProgram].
FP asked seven of these experts to weigh in onimplications of Middle Kingdom's return to
greatness."Jonathan D.Spence"The Once And Future China":-investigates: What of China's past
could be a harbinger for its future? Concludes,"These are the memories and the territorial
histories[including Taiwan]that China has to juggle as it embarks on its myriad new challenges
and opportunities".Zbigniew Brzezinski & John J.Mearsheimer engage in Debate on"Clash of
the Titans":-Is China more interested in money than missiles? Will US seek to contain China as
it once contained Soviet Union? ZB and JM go head-to-head on whether these two great powers
are destined to fight it out. Titles of thoughtful sequence: ZB:Make Money, Not War. JM:Better
to Be Godzilla than Bambi; i.e.powerful China is likely to try to push US out of Asia. ZB:Nukes
Change Everything. JM: Showing the US the Door. ZB:US' s Staying Power. JM:It's Not a Pretty
Picture. Martin Wolf"Why Is China Growing so Slowly?:-For all its success, China is still not
living up to its potential."Do not think China's rapid growth is either extraordinary or a flash in
the pan. It is neither. Social and political obstacles to China's rapid growthare considerable. But
the opportunity remains enormous. China's economic boom could well be in its middle, not its
end." Ashley J.Tellis"A Grand Chessboard":-Beijing seeks to reassure the world that it isgentle
giant; it knows that US is casting a wary eye in its direction."Strategy of emphasizing peaceful
ascendancy in word and deed will likely satisfy Chinese interests until it becomes a true rival of
US." Homi Kharas"Lifting All Boats":-Why China's great leap is good for the world's poor. China
has become the center of a virtuous regional trade cycle."For the developing world, it's
something to emulate, not fear." Minx Pei"Dangerous Denials":-China's economy is blinding the
world to its political risks."The only thing certain about China's...risks is that they are on the
rise." The Economist"China: No Sign of a Landing"29 Jan 05(39-40):-supports FP views by
emphasizing that"China...continues to grow at breakneck speed".National Bureau of
Statistics(NBS)had declared that economy grew by 9.5% in 2004,"its fastest clip in eight years",
and probably an accurate or low figure for a change. NBS in fact "put a brave face on the
figure,attributing quickened pace of growth...to stronger than expected performances in
agriculture and services-the parts of economy China still wants to boost...Encouragingly,
government's cooling measures ...do not appear to have affected consumer spending. Growth
of retail sales of consumer goods remained strong during the year...This offers some hope
investment can be curbed without a sharp slowdown...Firstresults from the census are due in
August, and complete data by the middle of next year. Whatever they reveal, it is unlikely to be
that China has been wildly overstating its GDP growth figures". Jim Yardley"Fearing Future,
China Starts to Give Girls Their Due"New York Times 31 Jan 05:-reports on an importantcultural
concern."Government credits[so-called one-child]policy for sharply slowing China's population
growth[300m less], but critics say it is a major reason many families now use prenatal scans and
selective abortions to make certain their child is a boy. [Hence]reversing birth imbalance
between boys and girlscannot be postponed...Nationwide ratio has reached 119 boys for every
100 girls. [I]n a few decades Chinacould have up to 40m bachelors unable to find
mates.[Reason:]most Chinese parents, particularly in rural areas, prefer sons.[A]ll parents,
worried about their old age, know Chinese tradition holds that a son must care for his parents.
A daughter, on the other hand, marries into husband's family. In countryside, where no real
social safety net, a son is considered equivalent of pension. [Recently,]fiscal incentives[are]
intended to give monetary value to girls, and by doing so, reduce incentive to abort them. Even
so, limited scope of program has reduced its impact.[Also,]attitudes hard to change in
male-dominated China. Joseph Kahn"China to Cut Taxes on Farmers and Raise Their
Subsidies"NYT 03 Feb 05:-"Chinese officials arepromising to reduce taxes on peasants and
increase farm subsidies to improve the lot of 800m rural residents left behind in the fast-growing
economy. Measures...are intended to slow the surging wealth gap between urban/rural residents,
major source of social discontent and perhaps the greatest challengefor governing Communist
Party...Last year average urban income 3.2 times as much as average rural income, one of the
biggest urban-rural divides in the world.[G]overnment has injected hundreds of billions of
dollars into developing urban coastal areas while maintaining tight controls over farmland and
peasantsto ensure steady supplies of grain and surplus labor.[O]ne potential key lies in creating
a market for farmland that resembles the one for urban land".
Thomas Carothers"Democracy: Think Again"Foreign Policy Number 107(Summer 97):-
challenges a number of widespread assumptions about democracies: e.g. there are many forms;
democracy cannot be exported; one is easily identifiable; new ones are most threatened by
coups and/or cannot carry out tough economic reforms; they don't fight each other; economic
and political development go together.
Thomas Carothers"Civil Society: Think Again"Foreign Policy No.117(Winter 99-00):-contends
that "civil society's worth as a concept has soared far beyond its demonstrated returns...[The
original 18th century idea was a]" domain parallel to but separate from the state... where citizens
associate according to their own interests and wishes" (18). It revived in the 1990s as
dictatorships conceded, political parties ossified, government retracted, technology made
grouping easy/powerful. Broader than do-good NGOs, the concept spans all interest groups
outside state and market. The ends of such groups can be good, bad, bizarre, and conflicting.
They can strengthen or weaken both democracy and dictatorship(NAACP; NRA; Hitler Youth;
Solidarity), and a strong civil society is not essential for democracy or economic
success(Japan); it can hurt(Latin American unions). Civil society and the state are not rivals but
complementary, and many groups get state funds. "Global" civil society may be ancient,
artificial, even hateful.
Geoffrey Carr, "The Alchemists: A Survey of the Pharmaceutical Industry" in The Economist 21
Feb 98(1-18):-Survey claims scientific/technological revolution is sweeping this industry. It
describes new technologies being developed and used, examines huge present/probable future
changes in industry'sstructure, and asks what this could mean for future health care.
Anticipates:(1)increase in range of diseases treatable with drugs; (2)increase in drug precision
and effectiveness;(3)increase in ability to anticipate disease. Each trend is accelerated by new
genetic insights and will have major global impact. But terriblerich-poor economic issue of drug
patents/costs: unprobed.
Ashton B.Carter"How To Counter WMD"Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.5(Sep/Oct 04):-ex-US Assistant
Secretary of Defense (under Clinton)and currently Co-director, Harvard Preventive Defense
Project, writes just when:most are concerned that US attacked Iraq by mis-claiming WMD threat;
US presidential election imminent. Concerned that since 11 Sep crisis, US "counterproliferation
policies have not been overhauled" ,and" it has made no new efforts to prevent nonstate actors
such as terrorists from getting their hands on WMD." He truly decrees much reliable advice on
countering the serious terrorist/WMD dangers to the entire global audience, and not to
Washington only. His basic view:" WMD generally applies to nuclear, biological, chemical
weapons; ballistic missiles; more recently'dirty bombs,'ordinary explosives containing some
radioactive material. But this definition is too broad. Chemical weapons are not much more lethal
than conventional explosives/hardly...WMD label. Similarly, long-range ballistic missiles
especially destructive only if they have nuclear or biological warhead, and so should not be
considered separate category. Dirty bombs cause local contamination and costly priority.
Primary focus of counterproliferation policy, therefore, should be nuclear and biological
weapons...True overhaul of counterproliferation policy would recognize that, like defense against
terrorism, defense against WMD must be multilayered and comprehensive. Such reforms would
aim to eliminate threat of nuclear terrorism entirely by denying fissilematerials to nonstate actors
and...prepare to contain scale of most likely forms of bioterrorism to minor outbreaks. It would
revamp outdated arms control agreements, expand counterproliferation programs,...improve way
intelligence on WMD is collected and analysed.[W]ould favor countering WMD with non-nuclear
rather than nuclear measures. And it would at last develop coherent strategies for heading
off...most pressing nuclear proliferation threats." Substantial article then amplifies all these
points.
Thomas Carters"Democracy Without Illusions" in Foreign Affairs Vol.76/No.1(Jan/Feb 97):-notes
that recent hopes for almost universal establishment of democratic governments have been
disappointed by revival in many states of authoritarian regimes or practices. Yet some
retrenchment does not eliminate underlying trend of progress.
Nayan Chanda Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped
Globalization(New Haven: Yale Univ Press 07):-this fascinating survey of the development of
globalization since 6000BCE is valuable as a unique reminder - to specialists in history, politics,
economics, religion, movement, technology, science, etc - of how their own knowledge relates
to other specialized information, and to the present/future of the intense/expanding relations
across this planet. (This aim corresponds exactly with my purpose in this information source.)
Style is amusing, and novel in all areas but one's expertise, so it is delicious/constructive in all
unstudied fields and hence globally constructive. Final para offers view that fits closely with that
in Christopher Spencer Oct 06(op.cit.):"We benefit from all that the world has to offer, but we
think only in narrow terms of protecting the land and people within our national borders - the
borders that have been established only in the modern era. [All that separates us] from the rest
of the world... cannot change the fact that we are bound together through the invisible filament
of history. [W]e know how we have reached where we are and where we may be headed. We are
in a position to know that the sum of human desires, aspirations, and fears that have woven our
fates together can neither be disentangled nor reeled back. But neither are we capable of
accurately gauging how this elemental mix will shape our planet's future. Still, compared to the
past... we are better equipped to look over the horizon at both the dangers and the opportunities
...There is no alternative to rising above our tribal interests: over the centuries to come, our
destinies will remain inextricably bound together. [W]e can attempt to nudge our rapidly
integrating world toward a more harmonious course - because we are all connected".
Michael Chertoff"The Responsibility to Contain: Protecting Sovereignty Under International Law"
(130-147) Foreign Affairs Vol.88/No.1(Jan/Feb 09):-official summary:"A new framework of
international law that confronts modern threats is long overdue. If it is to revive the legitimacy
of international law, this order must be predicated on a new principle, under which individual
states assume reciprocal obligations to contain transnational threats emerging from within their
borders". Emphasized extracts:"Those who challenge the relevance of consent often treat
'sovereignty' as a pejorative term or an antiquated concept". "If US withdraws from international
legal institutions to protect its national interests, everyone will lose". "The most serious threats
to sovereignty today do not necessarily come from the official acts of other states".
"International law has no business interfering with the US domestic system of justice". "States
can no longer hide behind seventeenth-century concepts of sovereignty in world of twenty-first-century dangers". Chertoff: US Secretary of Homeland Security. Views expressed are his own.
Erskine Childers edit., Challenges to the United Nations: Building a Safer World (New York: St.
Martin's Press 95):-useful but uneven collection of essays on the various elements of the UN's
responsibilities. Although most of the authors included tend to blame the selfish, rich world for
all the UN's failures and imperfections, those dealing with human rights and humanitarian
challenges are both informative and balanced.
Jarat Chopra edit. "Special Issue on Peace-Maintenance Operations" Global Governance Vol.4/
No.1 (Jan/Mar 98):- since Cold War end, UN has undertaken many peace-related operations of
new complexity and scale(often called second-generation). Several (Bosnia/ Rwanda/ Somalia)
deficient for multiple reasons(mandate/management/resources). Papers analyse peace-
maintenance system where UN exercises(some)political authority to harmonize diplomatic/
humanitarian/military/other civil aspects of operations if local systems fail.Authority-Knight;
Administration-Morphet; Humanitarianism-Donini; Law-Plunkett; Military-Cousens; Accepting
Authority-Adibe.
Jarat Chopra, "United Nations Peace-Maintenance" (312-40)in Martin Ira Glassner edit. The
United Nations at Work (Westport: Praeger 98):-more uniform/all-embracing case for idea of
flexible UN multi-functional governance role than made in Global Governance(Jan/Mar
98)(Ibid.).Hedges "failed states" / "trusteeships" as politically sensitive terms, although many
analysts suspect these may be toughest UN "peace/order/good government" challenges for 21st
century, particularly in Africa. Surveys history of all UN "peace" operations, and concludes its
greatest current problems weak orchestration of complex emergencies, and inclination to act
as mediator when creation of order is first priority, followed by nurturing of stable democratic
society. Kosovo(which post-dates writing)would seem more what Chopra has in mind, though
with full UN political authority.
Jarat Chopra & Tanja Hohe "Participatory Intervention" Global Governance Vol.10/No.3(Jul-Sep
04):-both authors served in UN Transitional Administration in East Timor(UNTAET)and offer
thoughtful ideas abouthow UN should optimally build/modify political systems in troubled/new
states - a responsibility that isgrowing in UN numbers and importance globally. Experience with
administration intervention in Cambodia, East Timor, Kosovo, Namibia, and Somalia has been
imperfect, but educational as to how future responsibilities could be improved by more carefully
considering what actually constitute the "front lines" - "the level of local administration. Here,
Western-style paradigm of state building, which ispreoccupied with forming a national executive,
legislature, and judiciary, confronts resilient traditional structures, socially legitimate
powerholders, abusive warlords out to win, or coping mechanisms communities rely on under
conflict conditions. Options for establishment or reconstruction of governing institutions seem
stark: either reinforce status quo and build on it, further empowering the already strong;or
replace altogether what exists with new administrative order. But there may be middle road."
Essay analyses latter.
Amy Chua WORLD ON FIRE: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and
Global Instability(New York: Doubleday 03):-this easy-to-read 350page survey of special
political/economic/social problems in many parts of the world has generated good reviews and
more influence. Its strong warning is not against either globalization trade or pure democracy
in developing countries, but against pressing these ideas too quickly when rich but unpopular
minorities dominate their economies - widely common situation that is carefully described. She
concludes by first naming three goals: "[1] the best economic hope for developing and
post-socialist countries lies in some form of market-generated growth; [2] thebest political hope
for these countries lies in some form of democracy, with constitutional constraints,tailored to
local realities; [3] avoiding ethnic oppression and bloodshed must be a constant priority. But if
these goals are to be achieved - if global free market democracy is to be peaceably sustainable
- thenthe problem of market-dominant minorities, however unsettling, must be confronted
head-on. [Finally, four specific "tonics" are addressed:] (1) the possibility of 'leveling the playing
field'between market-dominant minorities and the impoverished 'indigenous' majorities around
them; (2) ways of getting thepoor, frustrated majorities of the world a greater stake in global
markets; (3) ways of promoting liberalrather than illiberal democracies; and (4) approaches that
market-dominant minorities themselves might take to forestall majority-based, often murderous
ethnonationalist backlashes". Chapter sub-titles showwhere and how these major challenges
exist and must be addressed: (1)Chinese Minority Dominance in Southeast Asia;
(2)'White'Wealth in Latin America; (3)The Jewish Billionaires of Post-Communist Russia;
(4)Market-Dominant Minorities in Africa; (5)Ethnically Targeted Seizures and Nationalizations;
(6)Crony Capitalism and Minority Rule; (7)Expulsions and Genocide; (8)Assimilation,
Globalization, and the Case of Thailand;(9)From Jim Crow to the Holocaust;(10)Israeli Jews as
a Regional Market-Dominant Minority; (11)US as a Global Market-Dominant Minority; (12)The
Future of Free Market Democracy.
Bruce Clark, "A Survey of NATO: Knights in Shining Armour?" (1-18)The Economist 24 Apr
99:-extremely useful in several respects. Provides history of NATO's gradually - now rapidly -
changing role(s), (un)popularity,(dis)unity. Describes how "most successful military alliance in
history" suddenly lost its raison d'etre; then altered from new trans-European-US security entity,
swamped with new applicants and proud of its Bosnian role, to frustrated military giant in
Kosovo, seen by many as having acted illegally and unnecessarily, with future dependent on
solving complex puzzle of own making. Also outlines functional dilemmas facing military allies
equipped/trained decades apart technologically. Finally, survey coversNATO's split over whether
it plays global role in(UN-sponsored) multilateral combat interventions which it alone has
weapons, training, cohesion to handle.
Walter Clarke & Jeffrey Herbst "Somalia and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention" Foreign
AffairsVol.75/No.2(Mar/ Apr 96):-fine account of errors/lessons of UN operation in Somalia.
Concludes that, in failed states, UN operations cannot be either short or neutral, and may require
installation of full UN administration.
Walter J.Clemens, Jr, Dynamics of International Relations: Conflict and Mutual Gain in an Era
of Global Interdependence(Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield 98):-well-organized introductory text
on IR, helpful to students or those first looking at global issue(s). Chapters:(1)Is IR
"Winner-Take-All?" Can It Be Mutual Gain?(2)How to Win at Peace: Creating New World
Orders;(3)Foreign Policy Decision Making: Do IndividualsCount?(4)Why Wage War? Does It Pay
to Fight?(5)Power and Influence:What Wins?(6)Why Arm?CanSwords Become Plowshares?
(7)Negotiating Conflict:How Can Foes Become Partners? (8)Nationalism and World Order:
Peoples at Risk? (9)Intervention and Mediation: How Can Outsiders Help?(10)Democracy and
Authoritarianism: What Impact on International Peace and Prosperity?(11)Wealth of Nations:
West Meets East(12)Challenges of Development: South Meets North(13) Transitions: CanSecond
World Join First?(14)Ecopolitics: Health of Nations(15)Organizing for Mutual Gain:UN, Europe
and Nonstate Actors(16)International Protection of Human Rights:Sham or Revolution?
(17)Alternative Futures.
Walter J.Clemens, Jr, "From AD 2000 to AD 2025: Six Alternative Futures" International Journal
Vol.LIV/No.2 (Spring 99):-interesting/balanced exercise in futurology using relatively
conservative global views to create believable: (1)Unipolar Stability: benign US hegemony
extends most current/surprise-free globaltrends.(2) Fragmented Chaos: environmental-
pandemic-autarkic fears come true; global injustice provokesanger/violence; WMDs proliferate;
China turns unstable; all reflecting a low level of global cooperation.(3)Hegemon Challenged:
China becomes powerful bully; either intimidates or is faced down by US.(4)Bipolar Cooperation:
China turns democratic/cooperative.(5)Multipolar Cooperation: Most countries turn
democratic/prosperous.(6)Global Governance Without World Government: trans-national civil
society andgovernments share powers at many levels. Interdependence may force the last.
Harlan Cleveland, Birth of a New World: An Open Moment for International Leadership(San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers 93):-post-Cold War book by a top US diplomat/administrator
who does not advocate a Pax Americana. Offers succinct description of many changes in, and
dynamic characteristics of, post-industrial world.
Roger A.Coate edit.U.S. Policy and the Future of the United Nations(New York: Twentieth
Century Fund 94):-fine essays on UN political/organizational problems and realistic proposals
retain global value sinceissues remain relevant and/or reforms underway. Spiers proposes
administrative/structural/peacemaking/ financial reforms. Coate urges inter-agency/ intra-
government coordination of UN system. Blechman looks at new intra-state conflict/ preventive
action challenges. Graham surveys IAEA proliferation/enforcement needs. Abram urges
enforcement of human rights/humanitarian law. Loescher examines new scale/originsof
refugees/displaced persons. Gordenker discusses WHO role/problems. Sessions/Steever
explore challenges/constraints on Commission on Sustainable Development. Leonard picks UN
priorities: security/ economy/environment/humanitarian action/human rights.
Richard Cockett"Chasing the Rainbow: A Survey of South Africa"The Economist 08 Apr 06(1-12)
:- official summary of Survey: "Since end of apartheid, South Africa has moved closer to
becoming the 'rainbow nation'of Nelson Mandela's vision. But not nearly close enough yet".
Highlights of broad introductory essay: "South Africa has plotted its own course to relative
stability, democracy and prosperity[, and is even] beginning to lead continent in entirely new
way. [P]ost-apartheid government [African National Congress(ANC) now under President Thabo
Mbeki] has managed to build 1.9m new homes, connect 4.5m households to electricity, provide
11m homes with running water. Targets for raising living standards aremost ambitious on the
continent. However, South Africa still deeply scarred by legacy of apartheid[- with that]
geography very much intact... Now sense of impatience over pace of change[:] for
many...'rainbow nation'has slowed to a crawl[,so] government well aware of this, and now
intervening in more areas of national life to try to speed up change. [Yet] from education to
foreign policy to crime-fighting, people have found creative solutions to many of their problems.
That creativity is South Africa's most impressive asset, and increasingly comes from poorest and
historically most disadvantagedof communities - nowbuilding their own ladders out of poverty.
[F]or all the good economic news, government is lookingpolitically more vulnerable than at any
time since 1994 [defeat of apartheid] for simple reason: little [GDP]growth has benefited [ANC's]
core supporters - poor and black. [U]nemployment [formally up to] about 27% [as new jobs] not
enough to keep pace with number of new entrants into labour market. [O]ther big problem is
rising inequality[:] number of people living on poverty line may be rising. [ANC
economic]prudence paid off, bringing economic stability and launching consumer boom. But
[it] did not create enough jobs[/investment]. So now ANC looking... at disgruntled activists who
feel let down. [It plans]more money for program of social grants[mainly child support/pensions
to about 10m out of 47m, plus]370b rand over next 3 years on public works, mainly
infrastructure/tourism, to boost jobs and create more [leveling] demand. Longer-term aims:
growth rate to 6% by 2010; halve unemployment/poverty by 2014. [Dangers] twin bottlenecks.:.
severe skills shortage and failure to deliver services at local level".Final points, also in
Editorial"Term Limits in Africa: When Enough Is Enough"(18):"With many leading politicians
discredited, continent needs a strong South Africa. Also needs South Africa prepared to go
beyond its strickly African agenda, and to deliver on its commitments to good governance,
human rightsand democracy enshrined in new vision of African Union and Nepad [New
Partnership for Africa's Development]. These are very much South Africa's creations. It is time
for Africa's leading democracy to cast off its humility and diffidence - and perhaps even to throw
its weight around for these causes".
Eliot A.Cohen "History and the Hyperpower" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.4(Jul/Aug 04):-vast US
scope, in comparison with any other state or group of states, gives it both capacities and
opposition of past major empires(e.g. Rome, Britain), but its global interests/roles are unique
and controversial. Author contendswell worth while to compare US positions and potential with
historical styles/events/problems. "Historicalanalogy making rounds of late is notion that US
today is an empire that can and should be compared with imperial powers of past...Casual talk
of Pax Americana...implies that US is following pattern of imperial dominance that holds
precedents and lessons. Metaphor of empire merits neither angry rejection nor gleeful embrace.
It instead deserves careful scrutiny, because imperial history contains analogies and parallels
that bear critically on current US predicament."
Roberta Cohen & Francis M.Deng, Masses in Flight: The Global Crisis of Internal Displacement
(Washington: Brookings 98):-thorough, containing many sound proposals. Written by Deng as
UNSG representative on internally displaced persons(IDP).Numbers are big and growing(20-25m
IDPs vs 20m refugees)affecting multiple UN roles(humanitarian/ humanrights/ development/
peace/ sovereignty) and bodies (DMTS/ECHA/ERC/IOM/OCHA/ODIHR(UNHQ)/ UNDP/UNHCR/
UNICEF/UNIFEM/UNRWA/ WFP/WHO).Sections: Global View; Legal issues; Institutional issues;
NGOs (Red Cross/Voluntary Agencies Council/etc.); Regional Groups; some Strategies/
Proposals; IDP Guiding Principles. For excellent summary of book by authors see "Exodus
Within Borders" Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.4(Jul/Aug 98).
Roberta Cohen "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: An Innovation in International
Standard Setting" Global Governance Vol.10/No.4(Oct.-Dec. 04):-includes how and why global
concern about internally displaced persons(IDP) has developed, particularly since Cohen/Deng
source of 98(op.cit.). "It was not until 90s that absence of international system for IDPs began
to be noticed and more traditional notions of sovereignty questioned. One of vivid examples of
change in attitude was new set of international standards to protect persons forcibly uprooted
in their own countries - Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Introduced into UN
Commission on Human Rights 98, they set forth rights of IDPs and obligations of
governments/international community toward these populations...GPs recast sovereignty as
form of national responsibility toward one's vulnerable populations with role provided
forinternational community when governments did not have capacity/willingness to protect their
uprootedpopulations. Although not legally binding instrument like treaty, GPs quickly gained
substantial internationalacceptance/authority.[Article analyses] origin/development of GPs,
reasons for growing international usage,validity of reservations about them, and question
whether process that developed them truly constitutes turning point in standard setting
reflecting greater role for NGO community in developing internationalnorms of conduct for
states."
Leonard A.Cole The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare(New York:
W.H.Freeman 97):-three-way view of problems raised by biological and chemical weapons. Part
I reports on US attitudes towards, and activities in, developing/controlling these weapons. Part
II deals withpossession/use by Iraq, and varied psychological reactions of world opinion,
Israelis, and Iranian/US troops. Part III completes fine account of agents/ techniques involved,
physical effects, and latest users:terrorists. 96 report on major international proposals
(BWC/CWC)to control such weapons notes thatWHO global disease-watch would help treaty
verification.
Isobel Coleman "The Payoff From Women's Rights" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.3(May/Jun
04):-three points strongly: women's full rights critically important not just for women alone but
for entire societies; most negative women's areas of world are both curbed by old-style
religion/culture and blocked economically;US can and must do more to improve this. First
point:" Over past decade, significant research has demonstrated what many have known for long
time: women critical to economic development, active civil society, good governance -especially
in developing countries. Focus on women often best way reduce birth rates/child mortality;
improve health/nutrition/education; stem spread of HIV/AIDS; build robust/ self- sustaining
community organizations; encourage grassroots democracy... Women's status advanced in
many countries: gender gaps in infant mortality rates/calorie consumption/school
enrollment/literacy levels/access to health care/political participation narrowed steadily. These...
benefited society at large/improving living standards/increasing social entrepreneurship/
attracting foreign direct investment." Second point: "[S]ignificant gender disparities continues
to exist, and in some cases to grow, in three regions: southern Asia, Middle East, sub-Saharan
Africa. [C]onstraints on women living in areas[are] conservative/ patriarchal practices, often
reinforced by religious values." Third point: "[Deep tensions] between religious extremists and
those with more moderate/progressive views... evident in Saudi Arabia/Iraq/Afghanistan...to
lesser extent Nigeria/Pakistan/Indonesia. Resolution critical to progress...,for those that
suppress women likely to stagnate economically/fail to develop democratic institutions/become
more prone to extremism." So urges US to intensify women's rights much more.
Paul Collier The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done
About It(New York: Oxford Univ Press 07):-reviews praise this brilliant description of the world's
poorest states and how they need unprecedented forms of aid to escape their chronic dilemmas.
Essence of argument by author in Preface (xi):"The problems these countries have are very
different from those we have addressed for the past four decades in what we have called
'developing countries' - that is, virtually all countries besides the most developed, which account
for only one-sixth of the earth's people. For all this time we have defined developing countries
so as to encompass five billion of the six billion people in the world. But not all developing
countries are the same. Those where development has failed face intractable problems not found
in the countries that are succeeding. We have, in fact, done the easier part of global
development; finishing the job now gets more difficult. Finish it we must, because an
impoverished ghetto of one billion people will be increasingly impossible for a comfortable world
to tolerate... But to do so we will need to draw upon tools - such as military interventions,
international standard-setting, and trade policy - that to date have been used for other purposes..
To build a unity of purpose, thinking needs to change, not just within the development agencies
but among the wider electorates whose views shape what is possible". Text (200pp) is essential.
Paul Collier "The Politics of Hunger: How Illusion and Greed Fan the Food Crisis"(67-79) Foreign
Affairs Vol.87/No.6(Nov/Dec 08):-official summary:"The food crisis could have dire effects on the
poor. Politicians have it in their power to bring food prices down. But doing so will require
ending the bias against big commercial farms and genetically modified crops and doing away
with damaging subsidies - the giants of romantic populism, bolstered by both illusion and
greed". [Criticism is particularly aimed at US and Europe.] Collier is Professor of Economics and
Director of Center for Study of African Economics at Oxford Univ. and author of Bottom Billion.
Commitment to Development Index(CDI), "Ranking the Rich: 2004"in Foreign Policy(Co-Edited
with Center for Global Development(CGD))No.142(May/Jun 04)(46-56):-CDI in 2003 was a ranking
of rich nationsaccording to how their policies help or hinder social and economic development
in poor countries. In2004, CGD/FP unveils...CDI that brings into sharper focus which
governments lead the global community in the challenge of development. "Why should rich
countries care about development in poor ones? For reasons both pragmatic and principled. In
a globalizing world, rich countries cannot insulate themselves from insecurity. Poverty and weak
institutions are breeding grounds for public-health crises, violence, and economic volatility.
Fairness is another reason to care. No human being should be denied the chance to live free of
poverty and oppression, or to enjoy a basic standard of education and health. Yet richnations'
current trade policies, for example, place disproportionate burdens on poor countries,
discriminatingagainst their agricultural goods in particular. Finally, the countries ranked in the
CDI are all democracies that preach concern for human dignity and economic opportunity within
their own borders. The index measureswhether their policies promote these same values in the
rest of the world" .
Commonwealth Consultative Group on the Special Needs of Small States, Vulnerability: Small
States in Global Society(London: Commonwealth Secretariat Pubs. 85):-UN now includes many
small and indeed micro-states(latter having populations of less than 100,000).Almost any UN
additions likely to be small in population and/or power, particularly if "Wilsonian" dictum strictly
followed: that all "nations" have right to self-determination. Report by global group of senior
personalities one of few authoritative sources focusing specifically on particular security
problems of such states. It makes almost 80 realistic recommendations; large number involving
UN System.
Edward A.Comor"Governance and the`Commoditization'of Information"Global Governance
Vol.4/No.2 (Apr-Jun 98):-critique of one major element in James N.Rosenau"Governance in the
Twenty-First Century"Vol.1/No.1(Winter 95) i.e. that "the rapid and widespread application of
international communication and information technologies...facilitate a...trend in which
governance becomes both more pervasive and disaggregated" (217). Comor argues there will
be emerging power disparities between the information haves and have-nots, because the
information consumption potential of the two groups will vary, favoured by the private sector
and the dominant US policy in the WTO.
Gordon Conway, The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the 21st Century (London:
Penguin Books 97):-expert survey of food problems and potential in developing countries. It
offers specific advice oneradicating hunger and rapidly reducing the 750m undernourished(as
pledged at the World Food Summit)through a complex but realistic second Green Revolution.
Topics: global hunger and poverty; 2020 prospects; specific needs; the Green Revolution's
successes; where it missed the poor; pollution from pesticides and fertilizer; production trends
and priorities; biotechnology; sustainable agriculture; farmers' input; pest control; nutrients; soil
and water management; other resources; food security.
James Cooper"Child Labour: Legal Regimes, Market Pressures and the Search for Meaningful
Solutions"and John English"'Imitating the Cries of Little Children': Exploitative Child Labour and
the Growth of Children's Rights"International Journal Vol.LII/ No.3(Summer 97):-paired articles,
while advocating different approaches to this complex problem - and one that can be locally very
controversial, agree it must be met globally and positively, including through UNGA, ILO, WTO,
UNICEF. For a specific example of where pressure to end child labour locally (making soccer
balls in Pakistan)was successful, but created a number of economic side effects, see The
Economist 08 Apr 00"After the Children Went to School"(72-3).
Daryl Copeland"Globalization, Enterprise, and Governance: What Does a Changing World Mean
for Canada?"International Journal Vol.LIII/No.1(Winter 1997-8):-takes worldwide approach
despite title. Succinct but broad survey of globalization covers both its rationale and effects:
borderless business-first priorities; technological shrinking of time, space, and ignorance; job
insecurity and divergence; cultural convergence and ethnic reaction; structural standardization;
uncontrolled finance. The author fears the end of the welfare state. Mark S.Worrall State and
Society in the Age of the Global Economy"Vol.LIII/No.3(Summer 98) offers a friendly but more
optimistic response. In his view " the state has been forced to share its powers with suprastate,
substate, and nonstate actors" . While "not the driving force behind globalization...[the state]
remains the single possible architect of the post-cold war order" . This in turn must include
international institutions capable of addressing new global issues. Top analyses.
Sonia Correa Population and Reproductive Rights: Feminist Perspectives from the
South(London: Zed Books 94):-useful explanation, from the (Third World) feminist point of view,
of the important relationship between feminist and population concerns and movements. Such
views were very influential at recent UN World Conferences (e.g. Cairo and Beijing).
Donna Lee Van Cott Prospects for Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America:
Questions of Law and Practice"Global Governance Vol.2/No.1 (Jan-Apr 1996).- although the
essay deals particularly with indigenous peoples in Latin America, their problems and the
self-determination questions raised relate to all UN issues of group rights and representation.
Robert Cottrell, "A Work in Progress: A Survey of Europe" The Economist 23 Oct 99(1-18):-key
trends inera of rapid globalization include:(1)increasing constraints on economic, financial,
cultural autonomy of nation-states; (2)growing intrusions into traditionally absolute domestic
sovereignty, under security/human rights pressures; (3)institutional means by which state of
international anarchy being perceptibly contained. Since Europe has moved furthest/most
deliberately in following all three, this general, non-technical survey of main challenges facing
European Union and their likely outcomes, has immense global relevance. After setting scene
historically, survey discusses in turn "five recent fundamental shifts in structure of post-war
Europe and its international relations" :(1)inversion of Franco-German balance in favour of
Germany;(2)emergence of strong sense leading EU countries should have capacity for collective
military action separable from NATO/US;(3)introduction of new common currency;(4)replacement
of power ofEurocrats by Councils directly representing national governments;(5)planned EU
enlargement.
Robert Cottrell"Meet the Neighbours: A Survey of the EU's Eastern Borders"The Economist 25
Jun 05(1-16):-a cautiously optimistic -and particularly economic - look at European Union's
future, particularly as regards keen but poor countries to its east. The very useful Introduction
is summarized:"EU has been expanding by leaps and bounds. [Author]asks what happens if it
stops". The seven mostly-geographicchapters are carefully identified. "Transformed: EU
membership has worked magic in central Europe". "Climate Change: What post-communist
countries need to flourish". "Taming the Balkans: Could EU accession do the trick?" "A Bearish
Outlook: EU's relations with Russia are bad and may get worse". "Too Big To Handle?: Turkey's
application to join EU is causing anxiety on both sides". "The 4% Solution: Getting closer to
Europe is good for economic growth". "The Shape of Things to Come: EU should go its different
ways". Final section includes: "This survey has argued for best-case result in which EU goes
on using the power of membership to change the countries around it for the better. But Europe
is much less likely to find the energy/generosity for that strategy, now that it has lost its sense
of purpose/confidence in itself."
Tim Creery edit. "Human Rights:How Can Canada Make a Difference?" Report of Conference on
Canada's Foreign Policy by the Group of 78, Cantley, Quebec: 25-7 Sep 98:-contains keynote
speech by Warren Allmand, President, International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic
Development(particular emphasis on decision to establish International Criminal Court);
discussions on Canada's Roles in Protection of Civil and Political Rights(through UN and
OAS)and of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights(through trade and development assistance);
summaries of Discussion Groups on Constructive Engagement or Confrontation towards Burma,
China, Cuba, Nigeria, and former Yugoslavia; and summaries of statements on Rights of
Indigenous Peoples and official views on Progress and Challenges in Human Rights. Report also
contains: Introduction, Summary, Conclusions and Proposals.
Chester A. Crocker and Fen Osler Hampson, Managing Global Chaos: Sources of and
Responses to International Conflict(Washington: US Institute of Peace Press 96):-42
expert/practical essays(675pp)offeringnew facts/thinking regarding global challenges, and how
resulting conflicts might be met(e.g. by UN).Challenges include: many weak(or failed)states;
ethnic conflicts; religio-cultural militancy; population pressures; resource crises(shortages,
disputes);global competition; radical military technology(Adams op.cit.);mega-terrorism. Stress
on preventive action.
Barbara Crossette, "Rethinking Population at a Global Milestone" ;Nicholas Wade, "Now, You
Can Have 5,999,999,999 Friends" ; "Why Malthus Was Wrong" New York Times 19 Sep 99:-article
and notes offeringfacts/ideas on world population. UN says pass 6 billion about 12 Oct 99;
growth rate: 1.31%(about 80m)/year or 148 people/ minute; life expectancy: 65 years; current
projected world total in 2050: 8.9 billion. Regarding Malthus, substantive point is that innovation
has enabled food production to increasemuch faster than was anticipated in 1798. (While
population growth cannot produce global famine, seriouslocal food/people imbalances cause
40 million a year to die of hunger.) Article compares population problems/policies of autocratic
China(1.2b)and democratic India(1b, but faster growth). China more successful improving human
conditions, but many factors affect policy choice/impact.
Barbara Crossette "Kofi Annan Unsettles Important People, as He Believes the U. N. Should Do"
New York Times 31 Dec 99:-built around frank interview with UNSG, also contributes
background, especially on UN-US relations. Annan, "soft-spoken aristocrat from
Ghana[and]quiet insider with gentle sense of humor welcomed as healer" at time of bad US-UN
relations. Three years after election, "turning out to be one of most provocative leaders[UN]ever
known" . Speeches/reports castigate both UN and major powers "for doing nothing in face of
predictable catastrophes" (Rwanda, Srebenica)and hit fellow Africans for shortcomings. Annan
defends practical need for honest assessments and fault-finding, but has antagonized both Third
World and influential Americans. 99 UNGA speech arguing right to intervene in state affairs if
leaders abusetheir people drew fear from small nations and claims from senior US conservatives
he was exceeding powers. Personal diplomatic initiatives(Iraq, Libya)criticized, but he stressed
he was only doing his job. Much of Annan's independence derives from his selection of strong
and expert advisors.
Barbara Crossette "U.N. Studies How Refugees Qualify to Get Assistance" New York Times 14
Jan 00:-UNSC debate on what Roberta Cohen(Masses in Flight op.cit.)called "absurdity"
;Brookings: "one of most pressing humanitarian, human rights and political issues now facing
global community" . Most of 20m+ internally displaced persons(IDPs) ineligible to receive UN
assistance simply because not(yet)crossed border out of own country. Many forced from
homes(often by own governments who prefer world excluded); most in more danger/distress
than those able to reach border; some interspersed with/indistinguishable from "recognized"
refugees; often far outnumber latter(Angola: 1-2m to 370,000).UNHCR Ogata stressed how
inherent IDP geographic/political/security problems made worse by WWII-vintage definitions.
UNSCsupportive of new rules/arrangements for new conditions, with UNHCR in charge.
Barbara Crossette "Advocates for Children Joining U.N. Peacekeeping Missions" New York
Times 18 Feb 00:-for first time, UN will assign full-time children's advocates to top operational
staff abroad of all peacekeeping missions. Announced by Olara A.Otunnu, Special
Representative of SG for Children and Armed Conflict. First advocate assigned for Sierra Leone
where atrocities against(and by)children have been particularly serious, and two will be assigned
to UN force in Congo, so far all from UNICEF. Otunnu explained:" For protection and welfare of
children to be taken seriously, and not be marginalized, we must have[advocates]within central
political structure" .Will advise Mission heads, coordinate all child assistance groups, determine
necessary programs for children and(since civil war combatants may ignore Conventions)also
mobilize public opinion.
Barbara Crossette "The U.N.'s Unhappy Lot: Perilous Police Duties Multiplying" New York Times
22 Feb 00:-describes challenge facing UN in finding/managing very large number of police
officers demanded by new peacekeeping duties and dangers.(For history of UN police activities,
see Oakley op.cit.)UNPeacekeeping Operations' total staff of 400 must find/deploy nearly 9,000
specially qualified officersimmediately(almost 5,000 for Kosovo, 2000+for Bosnia, 1,640 for East
Timor).For first time, UN police in Kosovo/East Timor have direct executive law enforcement
powers and in Kosovo will be armed. Less than half Kosovo force has arrived(and some returned
as unqualified).Thus in assuming responsibility for law and order, UN police activities not only
grown but become more varied/complex/delicate/ hazardous. Many are worried that current
assignments will exceed UN capacity.
Barbara Crossette "Smuggling of Iraqi Oil Is Rising, U.N. Is Told" New York Times 24 Mar 00;
"Annan Exhorts U.N. Council on 'Oil for Food'for Iraqis" 25 Mar 00; "Security Council Votes to
Let Iraq Buy Oil Gear" 01 Apr 00; The Economist 12 Feb 00 "One Man's Joy in Iraq"
(41-2):-summaries ignore" current events" unless text has permanent/long-term significance. UN
sanctions against Iraq in 00 illustrate extremely well problems raised by chronic sanctions
issues, and how they could influence both Iraq and US by 01-03. Among those either inherent
from start and/or critical by 00:(1)scale/variety/severity of sanctions imposed(most ambitious UN
pressure applied);(2)(dis)unity of SC members over sanctions' aims/targets/ costs/means(P5
increasingly split);(3)authority/popularity/mettle/world economic integration/ vulnerability /value
of target regime(Saddam runs tight political/media system, is personally at threat but tough
about others, and holds pretty strong economic hand);(4)strategic importance of target state/its
people/friends/resources/military capacity/philosophy(Iraq both very strong/very weak).
Barbara Crossette, "U.N. Warns That Trafficking in Human Beings Is Growing" New York Times
25 Jun 00:-DG of UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention claims that trade in people
is "fastest growing criminal market in ...world because of...number of people...involved,..scale
of profits being generated for criminal organizations - and...its multifold nature. We don't have
just sexual exploitation. We don't have just economic slavery[forced labor and debt
enslavement]. We have also a lot of exploitation of migrants. And we have classic slavery. If you
put all this together...you get the biggest violation of human rights in[world. R]eliable estimates
indicate that 200m people may now be in some way under the sway or in the hands of traffickers
of various kinds." UN urges possibly giving temporary residence to would-be immigrants who
assist in identifying criminals and reintroduction of anti-slavery laws. Economist 24 Jun "Drugs
and Slavery in Myanmar" (48):-according to ILO, many of 1m Burmese refugees along Thai
border reportincreasing reliance on slavery by Myanmar regime. While ceasefires have been
arranged with most ethnic rebel groups, military keeps control only by "using slaves to build
defences, roads and bridges. Locals are forced to clear land, act as porters for the army and
provide housing. Refugees claim that forced labourers are even made to march
along[mined]roads...800,000 or so people...thought[by ILO]to beexploited in this way" . Roger
Cohen, "Europe Tries to Turn a Tide of Migrants Chasing Dreams" NYT 02 Jul:-motivated by
death of 58 Chinese illegal immigrants in truck container in Dover, England, this article explains
how and why EU has replaced North America as the principal destination of asylum-seekers(and
unnumbered illegal immigrants). In 1999 30,000 people applied for asylum in US(compared with
127,000 in 1993), while more than 365,000 sought asylum in EU. Main change has been collapse
of USSR, opening up of new land routes to Europe from Asia. Moreover "increasingly
well-organized criminal groups...have emerged to coordinate smuggled passages into Europe
largely closed to legal immigration" . Also: "[P]enaltiesare far less severe than for drugs, the
up-front investment much smaller, and the evidence has legs and tends to run away" explains
DG of International Organization for Migration. Finally, Europe is relatively cheap to reach
illegally - from China about half cost of transport to US. Economist 24 Jun "The Last Frontier"
(63-4)adds that about 30m people are smuggled across international borders every year(up to
500,000 into EU; 300,000 into US). This trade is worth $12-30b, most world traffic being handled
by about 50 specialized gangs. UK Immigration concludes: "[G]angs have infrastructures,
communications and surveillancecapabilities far in excess of anything that...law enforcement
agencies in transit and source countries can muster, and...chances of their activities diminishing
is negligible" . Elisabeth Rosenthal, "Chinese Town's Main Export: Its Young Men" NYT 26
Jun:-gives detailed firsthand description of how 80% of 20-40 year oldmen of one town, by
working illegally in US, have made it very prosperous, although full of "widows" .
Stewart Crysdale, Alan J. C. King, and Nancy Mandell, On Their Own? Making the Transition from
School to Work in the Information Age(Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's Univ. Press, 1999).
- rapid labor market changes are now global. This also demands rapid change in educational
content and methods. This book - basically sociology - examines the resulting changes in the
education-work transition. With education/work content undergoing their own transformations,
it focuses on: why are so many young people having suchdifficulty finding permanent jobs in
a growing economy; and what can be done to ease their transition into work? The conclusion
is key factors are: education attained(increasingly need post-secondary), present job level(look
ahead), job goal(realistic),innovative career planning(expect regular retraining), stable
employment(can be learned), intrinsic satisfaction(can be taught),on-the-job training(eases
transition/selection).
Robert A. Dahl, On Democracy(New Haven: Yale Univ. Press 98):-carefully thought out and
well-writtenintroduction to a complex and now globally-relevant subject. It asks and expertly
responds to: Where/How Did Democracy Develop?; What is democracy?;Why democracy?; Why
Political Equality?;WhatInstitutions?:Scale Factors, Parties, Constitutions, Electoral Systems;
What Conditions FavorDemocracy?; Does Market-Capitalism Favor/Harm Democracy? Last
Chapter, on Future of Democracy, is most relevant to this bibliography. It concludes: 20th
Century was "era of unparalleled triumph" (180)for democracy, but its changing problems in
evolutionary times make its future dependent on their solution. Market-capitalism will continue,
perhaps with its nature to create inequality softened. Globalizing trends will remain hard to
democratize. Human rights for disadvantaged will increase. Migration will raise cultural diversity
in "old" democracies. Civic education in complex societies must expand.
Gustav Daniker, The Guardian Soldier: On the Nature and Use of Future Armed Forces(Geneva:
United Nations UNIDIR 36 95):-thoughtful analysis by Swiss military strategist of effects and
opportunities brought by end of Cold War. He sees security as multi-faceted, long-sighted, and
aimed at stability - not destruction.
Richard DawkinsThe God Delusion(New York: Houghton Mifflin 06):-as with 06 Dennett/previous
Dawkinsitems, many books related to the controversial global roles of science vs religion are
now becomingincreasingly critical - and influential(?). They may ease or contribute to serious
violence if the growing factual issues are not compromised in some manner. Dawkins is not only
'a preeminent scientist'but offers an extraordinarily thorough critique of mainly Christian/Jewish
theology as supported by the Bibleand fundamentalism. Press outline includes:"With rigor and
wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms. [E]viscerates the major arguments for religion and
demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. [S]hows how religion fuels
war/foments bigotry/abuses children, buttressing his points withhistorical/contemporary
evidence. [M]akes compelling case: belief in God not just wrong but potentially deadly. [A]lso
offers exhilarating insight into advantages of atheism to the individual and society, not least of
which is clearer/ truer appreciation of the universe's wonders than any faith could ever master".
Highlight(282):"Fundamentalists know they are right because they have read the truth in a holy
book and they know, in advance, that nothing will budge them from their belief. [I]f evidence
seems to contradict it, the evidence must be thrown out, not the book. By contrast, what I, as
scientist, believe(for example,evolution)I believe...because I have studied the evidence. It really
is a very different matter. Books about evolution...believed because they present overwhelming
quantities of mutually buttressed evidence. In principle, any reader can check evidence. When
science book wrong, somebody eventually discoversthe mistake/it is corrected in subsequent
books. That conspicuously doesn't happen with holy books".
Louis A.Delvoie"The Kosovo War: A Long Catalogue of Losers"Behind the Headlines Vol.57/
No.2,3 (Winter/ Spring 00):-NATO's 99 air campaign against rump "Yugoslavia" has had many
supporters and critics.Former mainly argue that it succeeded in noble humanitarian aim of
relieving Kosovars from Serbian oppression; latter argue force was itself wrong and/or stress
absence of UN imprimatur. Author seeks those involved that were net losers in conflict. NATO:
hurt its image/reputation/future effectiveness bylaunching war of aggression, ending its
credibility as purely defensive alliance; United Nations: sidelined/marginalized, lost any
post-Gulf hope it might play its Charter peace/ security role; OSCE:reputation/credibility suffered
when its 1,300 Observers had to withdraw hastily when many of OSCEmembers attacked state
where they were to keep peace; Kosovars: NATO's "beneficiaries" sufferedhundreds dead and
thousands displaced before bombing, but thousands dead, hundreds of thousandsdisplaced
once two deterrents(OSCE plus threat to bomb)ceased to restrain; Serbs: suffered "collateral"
casualties, food/water shortages as infrastructure hit, and vast long-term economic lossfrom
bombing/sanctions; Balkan Stability: lost in refugee floods, revived ethnic tension; "New
European Security Architecture" :Russia reacted with anger/ condemnation, needing much
time/effort to defuse; US: lost in stature/credibility e.g. through sudden change in KLA image,
public policy it would not risk ground troops, ominous intelligence error on Chinese Embassy;
Western Governments: caught with double standards over Serbia/Chechnya. Many lessons to
be learned.
Francis M. Deng et al. Sovereignty as Responsibility: Conflict Management in Africa(Washington:
Brookings 96):- conclusion of 7-volume project to help governments/international community
deal with conflicts in least stable continent(Reader op.cit.).Probes African states' responsibility:
balance sovereignty sanctity against transborder political/economic/moral relevance of human
rights violations/internal violence. Project concludes UN has unique role to play in Africa as both
mediator and healer.
Daniel C.Dennett Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon (New York: Viking
06):-very carefully drafted by professor of philosophy, Tufts University and well-known author
(particularly Darwin's Dangerous Idea 95), aims of 450p volume are the questions:"Is Religion
Good For You? Should It Be the Basis for Morality?". Accurate, if full, summary of the book's aim
on its dust-cover:"For many people around the world - perhaps most people - there is nothing
more important than religion. It has comfortedthem in their suffering, become an integral part
of their marriages and child rearing, and encouragedgroup cooperation to achieve ends both
magnificant and terrible. Religion plays such a powerful rolein the world that we should try to
understand it in all its complexities, but most adherants bristle at anyone who wants to
investigate their practices and beliefs in a scientific manner. In this daring and important new
book, Daniel C.Dennett seeks to uncover the origins of this remarkable family of phenomena that
mean so much to so many people, and to discuss why - and how - they have commanded
allegiance, becomeso potent, and shaped so many lives so strongly. Where does our devotion
to God come from? Wherewas the psychological and cultural soil in which religion first took
root? Is it an addiction or a genuine needthat we should try to preserve at any cost? Is it the
product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Do those who believe in God have good
reasons for doing so? Are people right to say that the best way to live a good life is through
religion? In a spirited argument that ranges widely through biology,history, and psychology,
Dennett explores how religion evolved from folk beliefs and how these early 'wild'strains of
religion were then carefully and consciously domesticated. As the motives of religion'sstewards
entered this process, such features as secrecy and systematic invulnerability to disproof
emerged. Dennett contends that this protective veneer of mystery needs to be removed so that
religions can be better understood, and - most important - he argues that the widespread
assumption that they arethe necessary foundation of morality can no longer be supported.
Breaking the Spell is not an antireligiousscreed but rather an eye-opening exploration of the role
that religious belief plays in our lives, ourinteractions, and our country. With the conflict between
science and 'intelligent design'becoming ever more impassioned, Dennett has written a calmly
reasoned and timely book that will be read and debated by believers and nonbelievers alike".
Daniel Deudney & G.John Ikenberry"The Myth of the Autocratic Revival: Why Liberal Democracy
Will Prevail"(77-93) Foreign Affairs Vol.88/No.1(Jan/Feb 09):-official summary:"After years of
liberal triumphalism, recently fears have grown that autocracies have found new ways to
prosper. In fact, the imperatives of liberal democracy are as strong as ever. The key to defanging
autocracies is bringing them into the liberal order, not excluding them from it". Emphasized
extracts:"There remain deep contradictions between authoritarian political systems and
capitalist economic systems". "War as a path to conflict resolution and great-power expansion
has become largely obsolete". "Emerging global problems will create common interests across
states regardless of regime type". Deudney: Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins
University and author of Bounding Power: Republican Security From the Polis to the Global
Village. Ikenberry: Albert G.Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton
University, a Global Eminence Scholar at Kyung Hee University, and author of After Victory:
Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Rebuilding of Order After Major Wars.
Faisal Devji Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy . Morality . Modernity(Ithaca: Cornell Univ.Press
05):-very thoughtful analysis of Al-Qaeda's jihad motives behind the 11 Sep 01 attack against
USA. To determine and describe this, the less-than-200-page book draws often on written/
spoken rationales by Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri in particular. Following is derived
from its own summary: "Devji focuses on the ethical content of [the Al-Qaeda's] jihad, as
opposed to its purported political intent. Al-Qaedadiffers radically from such groups as... Muslim
Brotherhood and Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah, which aim to establish fundamentalist Islamist
states. In fact,.. Al-Qaeda [has] a decentralized structure, andemphasis on moral rather than
political action... Bin Laden and his lieutenants view their cause as aresponse to oppressive
conditions faced by Muslim world[; not] an Islamic attempt to build states. Al-Qaeda culls
diverse symbols/fragments from Islam's past in order to legitimize its global war against
the'metaphysical evil'emanating from the West. Most salient example of this assemblage... is
concept of jihad itself, which Al-Qaeda defines as 'individual duty'incumbent on all Muslims,
[and] weapon of spiritual conflict. Al Qaeda and its jihad, Devji suggests, are only the most
visible manifestations of wider changes in the Muslim world. Such changes include
fragmentation of traditional/fundamentalist forms of authority. [Hence] Al-Qaeda represents a
dangerous new way of organizing Muslim belief/practice within a globallandscape and does not
require ideological/institutional unity. [Book] is at once a sophisticated work of historical/cultural
analysis, and an invaluable guide to the world's most prominent terrorist movement".
Jared Diamond Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies(New York: W.W.Norton
99):-brilliant and fascinating book seeks to explain dangerously unequal societies in world.
Taking a long-term view, Diamond rejects racism and sees cultures as reactions to environments
(cf Sowell, op.cit.). Divergence of societies(by geographic area)reflected: (1)"[C]ontinental
differences in... wild plant and animal species as starting materials for domestication [compared
to hunting-gathering, since]food production was critical for accumulation of food surpluses that
could feed non-food-producing specialists, and for buildup of large populations enjoying...
military advantage... even before they had developed any technical or political advantage; (2)
[R]ates of diffusion and migration, which differed greatly among [and between] continents
[depending on climates, barriers, distances]; (3) [C]ontinental differences in area or total
population size" which affect numbers of inventors, competing societies, and innovations
available/adopted, and disease immunity. Environment is therefore critical.
Jared Diamond Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail or Succeed(New York: Viking Penguin
05):-globally relevant/influential 600-page heir to Guns, Germs.... Describes how and why
societies have survived or collapsed on basis of five factors: environmental damage, climate
change, hostile neighbours, friendly trade partners, and society's responses to its environmental
problems. Essence of entire text is well-outlined in the Prologue, so if your time or preliminary
dedication are brief, at least read that. You could then read any of 16 chapters individually,
although your hunger or concerns may become overwhelming. Parts/Chapters titles as follows:
Part One: Modern Montana: (1)Under Montana's Big Sky; Part Two: Past Societies: (2)Twilight
at Easter; (3)The Last People Alive: Pitcairn and Henderson Islands; (4)The Ancient Ones: The
Anasazi and Their Neighbours; (5)The Maya Collapses; (6)The Viking Prelude and Fugues;
(7)Norse Greenland's Flowering; (8)Norse Greenland's End; (9)Opposite Paths to Success; Part
Three: Modern Societies: (10)Malthus in Africa: Rwanda's Genocide; (11)One Island, Two
Peoples, Two Histories: The Dominican Republic and Haiti; (12)China, Lurching Giant; (13)
'Mining' Australia; Part Four: Practical Lessons: (14)Why Do Some Societies Make Disastrous
Decisions? (15)Big Businesses and the Environment: Different Conditions, Different Outcomes;
(16)The World as a Polder: What Does It All Mean to Us Today? Final five pages of text are
entitled Reasons for Hope, followed by Further Readings.
Larry Diamond Promoting Democracy: Actors and Instruments, Issues and Imperatives
(Washington: Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict 95):-report to Commission
describes organizations(including UN), activities, techniques and limitations, all of which help
to promote democracy's worldwide spread and support.
Larry Diamond"The Democratic Rollback: The Resurgence of the Predatory State"(36-48) Foreign
Affairs Vol.87/No.2(Mar/Apr 08):-official summary: "After decades of historic gains, the world has
slipped into a democratic recession. Predatory states are on the rise, threatening both nascent
and established democracies throughout the world. But this trend can be reversed with the
development of good governance and strict accountability, and the help of conditional aid from
the West". Author is Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution and Co-Editor of Journal of Democracy.
Essay is adapted from his new book, The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free
Societies Throughout the World (Times Books 08).
Peter Dicken Global Shift: Transforming the World Economy:Third Edition(New York: Guilford
Press 98):-500p of well-researched/immensely valuable text. Read through, offers
broad/objective look at globalized world production, trade, financial and corporate realities;
complex and inter-related driving forces(e.g. intensified competition and technology); huge and
changing impact on corporate vs state power, onknowledge, income, employment; net
gains/costs for different societies, individuals and institutions; inexorable but variable futures.
Consulted selectively, it offers specific analyses of: history, nationality(sic), structures, liaisons,
activities of transnational corporations; trends in production, trade and investment; different
state powers and policies; technology's many roles; textile/clothing, automobile, electronics,
serviceindustries; effects: jobs, LDCs, environment and equity; global governance.
Milovan Djilas, The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System (New York: Praeger, 1957).
- the definitive insider's critique of how idealistic systems become self-serving, and rulers
sacrifice others' concerns and lives to perpetuate their own group interests. The insights extend
well beyond Yugoslavia in both time and place. Other Djilas works that illuminate both his case
and the origins of the current conflictsinclude: Conversations with Stalin (New York: Harcourt,
Brace & World 1962); Wartime: With Tito and the Partisans (London: Secker & Warburg, 1980);
and Tito: The Story from Inside (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980). All help to explain
the only regime most Yugoslavs knew until recently.
A. Walter Dorn edit., World Order for a New Millennium: Political, Cultural and Spiritual
Approaches to Building Peace(New York: St. Martin's Press 99):-selected conference statements
with diverse speakers, sochapters vary by viewpoint/ideals, plus topic.Part I.Political and
Institutional Approaches:Evolution ofWorld Order(conceptions (Anatol Rapoport);international
law history;disarmament compliance;corporatecapitalism and/or market socialism; order by
trade/investment decree);Military(Cold War nuclear mishaps;decline of major wars;Third World
militarization); United Nations(world challenges(text inINTRODUCTION, with "institutional"
material added); recent UN environment agreements; monitoring UN enforcement(UNSCOM);
International Criminal Court; realistic UN reforms). Part II.Cultural and Spiritual Approaches:
Developing a Culture of Peace(coordinating official/non-official diplomacy;civil
societyplatforms;relevant UNESCO appeals;education of ethics);Spiritual Dimensions(2
Christian views, Jewishview, 2 Buddhist views, First Nations view, syncretistic view, Baha'i view,
UN role). Declaration.
Margaret P.Doxey International Sanctions in Contemporary Perspective: Second Edition(London:
Macmillan Press 96):-definitive guide to non-military sanctions. Describes/assesses all major
cases since WWI:Italy(1935), Yugoslavia(by USSR),Cuba, Rhodesia, South Africa, Egypt(by Arab
League),Iran, USSR(re Afghanistan/Poland), Argentina, Iraq, Yugoslavia/Serbia, Libya, Haiti.
Includes: definition, history, types(political, cultural-communications, economic);contexts,
frameworks, intentions; costs and burden-sharing;implementation; impact on targets(their
vulnerability and response);UN problem areas:(a)decisions to impose/remove;(b)sharing of cost
and collateral damage; © problems of coordination, monitoring and policing.
Margaret P.Doxey United Nations Sanctions: Current Policy Issues: Revised Edition(Halifax:
Dalhousie Univ. 99):-containing information up to Apr 99. Appendix offers basic facts about all
sanctions imposed under UN Charter(Chap. VII).Text examines four issues subject to
debate:(1)Domestic economic costs of sanctions to "sending" states and prospects for
burden-sharing. Options: financial help; tariff adjustments;technical/humanitarian assistance;
specific help on sanctions enforcement.(2)Mitigation on humanitarian grounds of
sanctions-induced hardships in "targets" . Ideally, punishment fits crime but scope for:
improving ways to determine need; handling humanitarian exemptions; avoiding abuse through
monitoring.(3)Determining scope for direct targeting of leaders and elite groups. Types of
targeted sanctions: personal travel restrictions; limit/end international bodies'
membership(privileges); limit air links; cultural/sportsboycotts; financial sanctions(freezing
assets)-most promising, but speed/information/selection/discipline critical.(4)Improved
administration/enforcement. Much effort underway to improve work of Sanctions Committees;
humanitarian issues handled better, but to detect/control serious violations of sanctions regimes
still strictly limited.
Margaret P.Doxey"Sanctions Through the Looking Glass: The Spectrum of Goals and
Achievements" International Journal Vol.LV/No.2(Spring 00):-expert, realistic look at recent UN
experience with sanctions, and at current thinking on how they could be improved. (All Chapter
VII sanctions to Jan 00 are listed.)Security Council use of sanctions has increased greatly since
1990(earlier it approved only two: Rhodesia, South Africa); hence study of optimum use has also
expanded. US has been keenest supporter, but public opinion in many democracies under media
pressure, has increased demands governments "do something" about human rights violations
- broadening both "targets" and "goals" and changing criteria of success. Political effective
might now include not only gaining compliance, but also stigmatizing orcontaining targets, and
as means of preventing or deterring certain action. Success is harder to judge, particularly when
multiple pressures, to both apply and satisfy. All are analysed. Finally, essay discusses means
of focusing sanctions better, not only on elites but away from innocents.
Daniel W.Drezner All Politics Is Global: Explaining International Regulatory Regimes(Princeton
& Oxford: Princeton Univ Press 07):-as The Economist 18 Mar 07 admits in specially favourable
review "International Relations: An Interconnected World": book is "too nuanced and academic
for easy reading", but concludes significantly "Drezner... finds that the challenges of the future
will be increasingly transnational. As globalisation intensifies, the rewards for coordination will
increase as well. To achieve success, essential not to eliminate international institutions but
rather to understand their utility... Key to their success lies in convincing leading governments
of the gains from acting in cooperation, rather than isolation, in volatile but interconnected world
-message that surely applies well beyond esoteric world of trade". [Another support for my own -
tough but essential - global urgency: op.cit. Christopher Spencer]. Suggest you read short
Chapter One which summarizes Drezner's book in simplest explanation. "Regulation of global
economy is intrinsically important. Markets rely on rules, customs, and institutions to function
properly. Global markets need global rules and institutions to work efficiently. The presence or
absence of these rules and institutions and their content and enforcement, is the subject of this
book. In a globalizing economy, what are the rules? Who makes them? How are they made?"(6).
Issue areas analysed by chapters to study relative roles of (top) governments/institutions/NGOs:
Internet, International Finance, Genetically Modified Organisms, TRIPS and Public Health.
Celia W.Dugger"U.N. Panel Urges Doubling of Aid to Cut Poverty"New York Times 17 Jan
05:-announces that an"international team[has]proposed a detailed ambitious plan...that it says
could halve extreme poverty and save the lives of millions of children and hundreds of
thousands of mothers each year by 2015. Report[claims that]drastically reducing poverty in its
many guises - hunger, illiteracy, disease - is 'utterly affordable', [but that]to fulfill this goal
industrial nations would need to double aid to poor countries, to 0.5% of national incomes from
0.25%".'Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development
Goals[MDG]'also urges the easing of trade and"sweeping investments in health, education,rural
development, road building, housing and scientific research".Jeffery D.Sachs(op.cit.),appointed
head of this UN Millennium Project by UNSG Annan to revive the 2000-agreed 'MDG'promises,
is"known ascrusader for the idea that within a generation, rich and poor countries together can
end extreme poverty afflicting more than a billion".Other elements are described: the serious
diversity of essential program-related policies among both the rich and poor nations, and the
surprisingly varied analysis of the plan's realism that is found among aid experts -and British
PM Tony Blair(op.cit.). Reuters"U.N. Report Offers Plan to Halve Extreme Poverty by 2015"in NYT
17 Jan 05:-covers same major proposals, although with natural variations in emphasis. Again,
divergences among both aid donors and seekers are stressed. It also reports that in Jul 05 G8,
and in Sep 05 UNGA will, spotlighting global poverty, set a development agenda.The
Environment 22 Jan 05"Development: Recasting the Case for Aid"(69-70):-even longer than the
NYT and Reuters analyses of the Sachs-led UN report, but again offering an objective analysis
of its critically-important aims and prospects. Initial description of report includes:"Document
in full runs to ten supporting volumes and more than 3,000 pages...Overview paper is packed
with high-octane analysis andrecommendations, no waffle, not a sentence wasted. Aim is no
less than to dispel prevailing pessimism on aid - a deeply entrenched attitude, based on years
of disappointment - and to mobilise hundreds of billions of dollars in new help for developing
world. In this, it might succeed. Whether it deserves to is another question." Later:"Question
now - and it is the right question - is what policy inputs will be required to hit the targets[i.e.MDG
final goals]...Given what is at stake, Sach's passion and ambition are entirely warranted - but
does approach he advocates make sense?...Looking only at development aid, report argues, you
find that aid works: it spurs growth...Good-government precondition is crucial, however, and
causes team some difficulty...Poorest countries, including basket-cases of sub-Saharan Africa,
aremost deserving by test of need, but tend to be worst governed".Report challenges problem
by plugging poorer recipients that nevertheless have good government and by claiming aid itself
can improve bad governments, but quick success appears unrealistic in Africa. Warren
Hoge"African Crises Take Back Seat to Tsunami, U.N. Relief Chief Says"NYT 28 Jan 05:-Jan
Egeland, UN emergency relief coordinator, complained to UNSC that impressive aid being given
to those countries suffering from earthquake-produced Indian Ocean tsunami was in fact no
more seriously needed than the unmet African needs. Alan Cowell"Pressure Grows for Rich
Nations to Redouble Efforts to Aid Africa"NYT 28 Jan 05:-report fromWorld Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland, records many more pro-African aid demands than usual.
Celia W.Dugger"U.N. vs Poverty: Seeking a Focus, Quarreling Over the Vision"NYT 14 Sep
05:-this itemleads a discouraging collection of inter-related historical articles, most inevitably
summarized by a bit more than their strong titles/introductory sentences. All relate to a globally
critical summit of some 170 heads of state/government. They marked seriously the 60th
anniversary of the United Nations 14-16 Sep 05 when, vital reforms and international poverty
commitments having been discussed, some are adopted- in full or vague status - but many more
are both left required and postponed. Dugger:"The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)
meeting today was to have been a rare moment when quest to relieve crushing poverty of a
billion people took center stage. But so far that goal has been overshadowed by [current
disasters] and squabbling over reform of UN itself. Even debate about world's common agenda
on global poverty began on an unexpectedly sour note, centred around goals for healing world's
deepest poverty that were to be in meeting's final document. US ambassador, John R. Bolton,
initially proposed expunging any reference to specific goals for reducing poverty, hunger and
child mortality andcombating pandemic of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Known as Millennium
Development Goals[MDGs], they emerged from UN conference five years ago. He favored instead
citing broad declaration from which goals were drawn. US subsequently relented, but not before
US administration's opening in negotiations left some African leaders dismayed... Negotiations
at UN got absorbed by issues around UN reform... It is not clear that much new will emerge at
UN. World leaders are likely to affirm commitment to push forward with MDGs to halve extreme
poverty and hunger, cut child mortality by two-thirds and ensure basic education of each child
by 23015, among other things.Those are same broad goals agreed to five years ago"; Warren
Hoge"U.N. Adopts Modest Goals on Reforms and Poverty"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"UNGA unanimously
approved scaled-down statement of goals [13 Sep] that Secretary General [UNSG] Kofi Annan
said would still give world leaders gathering [14 Sep] basis for recommendation to reform
organization and combat poverty. Loud cheers from delegates, however, could not disguise
widespread disappointment at weakening of 35-page document"; David E.Sanger & Warren
Hoge"Bush Thanks World Leaders and Takes Conciliatory Tone"NYT 15 Sep 05:-President Bush,
facing array of world leaders who are deeply divided on how to define terrorism or act against
nuclear proliferation/poverty, struck conciliatory tone at UN [14 Sep], describing himself as
grateful leader of superpower in recent days... Speech...came hours after UNGA greatly watered
down what had once been ambitious plans for institutional change and for commitments to fight
terrorism/nuclear arms... He balanced his discussion of need to chase down terrorists with his
endorsement of set of antipoverty objectives... 'No nation canremain isolated/indifferent to
struggles of others' ... He pressed for UNSC resolution commiting countriesto prosecute - and
extradite - anyone seeking fissile materials or technology for nuclear devices... But Bush did not
repeat his previous calls to bar any new country from producing enriched uranium orplutonium.
In references to goals for poverty reduction, he cited not only MDGs but also another initiative
that grew out of summit meeting in Monterrey, Mexico. There, poor nations agreed to fight
corruption and improve governance, and rich nations commited to 'make concrete efforts'
toward giving 0.7% national income in aid. Bush did not address aid issue, but advocates said
they hoped endorsement of Monterray would make harder for US to continue to oppose such
aid targets"; Reuters"World Leaders Seek to Invigorate UN at Age 60"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"Leaders
explore ways to revitalize UN at summit, buttheir bluepoint falls short of UNSG vision of freedom
from want, persecution and war... [S]ession marking60th anniversary of world body suffering
from corruption scandals and sharp divisions among memberson how to tackle international
crises... UNSG in 85p paper in Mar entitled 'In Larger Freedom', addressed challenges for 21st
century that required collective action: alleviating extreme poverty, reversing AIDS pandemic,
global security, terrorism and human rights. But after bitter negotiations over last few
weeks,nearly every bold initiative suffered cutbacks in final 38p document approved by UNGA
for endorsementat summit... Still, somewhat emasculated document saved summit from failure.
UN officials highlighted initiatives, including new human rights body, Peacebuilding Commission
to help nations emerging from war and perhaps most significantly, obligation to intervene when
civilians face genocide/war crimes... Butnegotiators failed to agree on how to tackle nuclear
proliferation or on definition of terrorism sought by Western nations, and fell short of
commitments to greater aid and tearing down trade barriers developing nations wanted";
AP"Annan Appeals to World Leaders at Summit"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"UNSG Kofi Annanappealed [14
Sep] to world leaders...to help restore confidence in world body and act together to meet
challenges of new century... Annan said document they will adopt at end of 3-day summit was
'good start'but not 'sweeping and fundamental reform'he proposed. He called for urgent action
on tough, unresolved issues. 'Because one thing has emerged clearly from this process on
which we embarked two years ago: whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we
stand or fall together', UNSG said.'Whether our challenge is peacemaking, nation-building,
democratization or responding to natural or man-made disasters, we have seen that even the
strongest among us cannot succeed alone'... In what he call 'a high-risk gamble', UNSG and
incoming/outgoing presidents of UNGA decided to drop issues where there was no agreement,
choose language for which they thought they could win consent, andpresent clean text to
member states. It worked"; AP"Bush Focuses on Terror in Speech to U.N."NYT 14 Sep
05:-"Before skeptical world leaders, President Bush [14 Sep] urged compassion for the needy
and pressed global community to 'put the terrorists on notice'by cracking down on any activities
that could incite deadly attacks. Bush... was seeking to sell his blueprints for spreading
democracy in Iraq and elsewhere, overhauling UN and expanding trade"; AP"Chiefs of U.N.
Agencies Appeal to Donors"NYT14 Sep 05:-"UN refugee and food agencies' chiefs said [14 Sep]
that international donors are not doing enough to help alleviate shortages of survival rations in
refugee camps across Africa. Because of lack of funds, World Food Program has been forced
to cut rations for hundreds of thousands of refugees, particularly in West Africa and Great Lakes
region in east of continent"; AP"Mexico's Fox OK With U.N. Reform Document"NYT 14
Sep:-"Mexican President Vicente Fox said [14 Sep] that he and the rest of theGroup of 15
developing nations think UN reform document approved this week is a step in the right direction,
but stressed it is only first step... The 35-page document is supposed to launch a major reform
of UN itself and galvanize efforts to ease global poverty. But to reach consensus, most of text's
details gutted in favor of abstract language. UNSG had hoped that in addition to addressing UN
overhaul, document would outline specific actions for improving the lot of the poor and tackling
genocide, terrorism and human rights. But nations couldn't bridge their difference during
negotiations. Group of 15developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America was set up to
foster cooperation in dealing withinternational groups such as World Trade Organization and
the Group of Seven rich industrialized nations"; AP"Annan Seeks to Restore U.N. Credibility"NYT
14 Sep 05:-"After a year of mounting criticism,UNSG Annan defended UN [14 Sep] and urged
global leaders to restore organization's credibility by adopting broad reforms needed for world
to act together to tackle poverty, terrorism and conflict...Instead of a celebration of UN
achievements since its founding in ashes of WWII, summit was much more a somber reappraisal
of its shortcomings and a debate about how to meet the daunting challenges ofa world
becoming moreand more interlinked"; Reuters"World Leaders United on Terrorism"NYT 14 Sep
05:-"World leaders united [14 Sep] on need to ban incitement of terrorism but fell short of
ambitions forfundamental reform of UN...Negotiations on the summit document world leaders
are to endorse dropped disarmament proposals from Norway and South Africa, backed by about
80 nations. US objected to calls for nuclear disarmament but stressed danger of terrorists and
rogue states obtaining unconventional weapons... In veiled criticism of US, world's richest
nation, Dutch PM... said Europeans had agreed to boost development aid spending but 'we need
to see more equal burden-sharing'"; AP"Annan Seeks to Restore U.N.'s Credibility"NYT 15 Sep
05:-"Bitter differences among UN member states have blocked many crucial UN reforms, and
nations must act boldly to restore the world body's credibility, UNSG told summit of world
leaders... Coming into the summit, diplomats had to dilute a document on goals for tackling
rights abuses, terrorism and UN reform because they couldn't settle their disputes"; Financial
Times"Shifting Positions at the UN World Summit"NYT 15 Sep 05:-"Fact that US and China have
both become simultaneous aid donors and recipients says much about changing global society.
World ismuch more diffuse in power than traditional stereotypes allowed... US is rich, and its
military power iscommanding, but US ability to impose its will on world is limited... China, as
well as India, Brazil and some other developing countries, is gaining economic power, especially
through rapid absorption ofadvanced technologies and emergence of home-grown scientific
prowess... [E]verything points to vastinternational diffusion of scientific expertise in coming
decades... US will likely become more rather than less engaged as donor country in Africa and
elsewhere... [I]dea of a US empire astride the world in 21st century will go... [C]ertainly the most
important issue, hardly noted at [UN] world summit, is that rise of China, India, and other
regional powers will intensify growing and multiple pressures on global environment and
resource base... As a crowded world of 6.5 billion on its way to 9 billion people by mid-century,
and with rising risks/complexities all around us, we are all both donors and recipients now. We
are all in this together, and we had better get used to that reality"; The Economist 15 Sep
05"United Nations Reform: Better Than Nothing"(p.33 in 17 Sep NA issue):- "Annan sought to
explain why a draftdeclaration on UN reform and tackling world poverty, to be endorsed by some
150 heads of state/government... has turned into such a pale shadow of proposals he himself
put forward. 'With 191 member states' , he sighed, 'its not easy to get agreement'. Most countries
put the blame on US, in the form of its abrasive new ambassador, John Bolton, for |