After a while, here are some links for thought:
Anti-capitalist? Too simple. Occupy can be the catalyst for a radical rethink
Ha-Joon Chang once again informs us about the history of capitalism and the deficiencies of capitalism, especially with the almost global spread of the “Occupy Wall Street” protests. His long standing argument (mentioned not just here but in his books and journal articles) was that capitalism in the 19th to 20th Century in “the West” was not that of a “free” or “free-market” system but everything that today’s neoliberal pundits would scream at. Chang also talks about different systems of capitalism: America’s quite neoliberal capitalism system versus Europe’s partial regulatory system. Would there have been “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) if America adopted the European model? Then again, would America ever turn to the European model?
The Globalization of Protest
The Nobel-prizing winning and ex-“rebel within the World Bank” economist Joseph Stiglitz also weighs in on the “OWS”, highlighting the common causes of such protests–“rent-seeking”, “anti-competitive practices”, “bailed out bankers”, “bonuses”, “underutilised resources”, “the failed Doha Development Round”, “unfettered markets”. Is anyone listening?
Developing Countries: Politics and Government
Congratulations to Tony Cunningham on tabling his first written question relating to his shadow position–that of shadowing the esteemed Department for International Development (DFID). He ask about “the Humanitarian Leadership Development Programme” and gets a reply from Minister of State Alan Duncan who quotes the recent “Saving Lives, Preventing Suffering and Building Resilience” paper. Good job Tony Cunningham, may you live up to or even exceed Mark Lazarowicz’s standards.
Critical International Political Economy
Dr. Stuart Shields, former chair of the International Political Economy Group (IPEG), has a co-edited book(him, Ian Bruff and Huw Macartney) coming out titled, “Critical Political Economy”. Too bad you can’t read excerpts.
International Political Economy
Another IPE book, edited by famous IPE scholars–Donna Lee, Jill Steans, Colin Hay, David Hudson, Adam Morton and Matthew Watson simply titled, “International Political Economy”. The table of contents certainly looks promising, detailing the roots of IPE and covering parts of Global Governance. Shame that IPE books like this still don’t cover much on foreign aid/Official Development Assistance (ODA) though.
More Dollars than sense: Redefining our Knowledge of Development Finance using AidData
Michael Tierney, one of the leading scholars on principal-agent (PA) theory, is also a former manager (but still member) of AidData. Here, he co-writes a journal article with AidData colleagues on how to use the website. Personally, AidData is really extensive–you can find almost every aid project under the sun there, however, it’s not exactly what I’m looking for in my PhD work. Sorry, Mike.
Italy’s new government forms cabinet-level aid ministry
Devex says there something good out out Italy’s new appointed (not elected) cabinet. They’ve formed a cabinet-level aid (foreign aid) ministry, something that is characteristic of cabinet-level aid agencies like the UK’s DFID. Headed by Andrea Riccardi, someone with some experience in international development, it may put Italian aid right. Maybe not, especially since when the country is riddled with fiscal problems and debt, aid will not be on the main agenda (unlike in the UK).
Perry’s Call to Zero Out Foreign Aid Wins Few Accolades
Another article on foreign aid, albeit on more negative note. With the US 2012 Election coming, Republican candidates are supposedly up in swing, trying to present an alternative to President Barack Obama. one of their common “alternatives”: reduce foreign aid, or as the article states, many of them like Rick Perry will start the aid budget at zero. As much as US aid is plagued with non-development ideas, even a high school kid will tell you how illogical it is to provide “no foreign aid”.
Busan and the United Nations – Is it time to strengthen the ties?
Thanksgiving around the corner? Nope, in Busan, South Korea, its the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, something I wrote about in a previous post. Here, Arthur Muhlen-Schulte and Silke Weinlich argue (or rather lament) that the UN is not the central actor in the HLF and how this would adversely the global aid agenda. Poor UN, but then again, it has always been shunned.
2012 Country Scorebook
Last but not least, America’s latest aid agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, has released its country score cards. These detail how its “recipients” (they aren’t exactly) perform according to its “straitjacket” of rules. Neoliberal rules or effective aid rules?
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