Brazil’s Position for UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen

Brazil aspires to a leading role in international negotiations on an agreement to counter climate change. It stipulates that future commitments be based on the principle of common but differen- tiated responsibility. In Copenhagen, it will declare its voluntary emissions reduction target and it will unveil its own national climate policy concept, so as to spur developed countries into making ambitious reductions commitments, contributing more funds, and facilitating the transfer of technol- ogy to developed countries. It will attempt to encourage investment by rich states in its own low-emissions projects.

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English (PDF · 2 pages · 433 KB)

Author:Bartłomiej Znojek
Editor:Sławomir Dębski, Łukasz Adamski, Mateusz Gniazdowski, Beata Górka-Winter, Leszek Jesień, Agnieszka Kondek, Łukasz Kulesa, Ernest Wyciszkiewicz
Series:PISM Bulletins
Issue:71
Publisher:Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Warsaw, Poland

Uribe's Possible Third Term and Conflict Resolution in Colombia

This report examines the political situation in Colombia, particularly President Alvaro Uribe's attempt to secure a third term. The report examines Uribe's motivations and the health of the Colombian democracy. It looks at the government's security policy and points out that opponents see it as too narrow in its focus, obsessed with an elusive final defeat of insurgent forces. The report concludes with an overview of political options for 2010.

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English (PDF · 28 pages · 556 KB)

Series:Crisis Group Latin America Reports
Issue:31
Publisher:International Crisis Group, Brussels, Belgium

IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin No. 3

This issue of the Lusophone Countries Bulletin examines stability and development in Angola, the political situation in Cape Verde and also in São Tomé and Príncipe. Other articles discuss Portugal's foreign policy, and the political and economic development of Brazil. It also includes a timeline of notable events that occurred in lusophone states in January 2010.

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English (PDF · 18 pages · 299 KB)

Author:André Monteiro, Vasco Martins, Marina Biancalana, Carlos Veiga, Kai Thaler, Paulo Gorjão, Gerhard Seibert, Leonardo Paz Neves
Editor:Paulo Gorjão
Series:IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin
Issue:3
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

Global Financial Crisis Discussion Series - Paper 13: Bolivia Phase 2

This paper analyses the behaviour of the Bolivian economy before and after the outbreak of the global financial crisis. Section 2 analyses in detail the type of shocks that have hit the Bolivian economy with the outbreak of the crisis, and their magnitude and intensity. The shocks identified are: export prices, quantity exported, remittances, aid and capital flows. Section 3 analyses the channels and transmission mechanisms through which the global crisis has spread into the different sectors of the economy. Section 4 discusses the policy responses implemented by the government in order to deal with the negative impacts of the crisis, in macroeconomic and social areas. This section also discusses the structural factors that could put at risk the long-term sustainability of the policies implemented by the government.

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English (PDF · 30 pages · 387 KB)

Author:Luis Carlos Jemio, Osvaldo Nina
Series:ODI Publications
Publisher:Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London, United Kingdom

Using BRIC to Build at Sea: The Brazil-China Aircraft Carrier Agreement and Shifting Naval Power

On 7 December 2009, the United States commemorated the 68th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This attack not only drew the U.S. into World War II, it also marked the beginning of the modern era of naval warfare, in which aircraft carriers are essential for force projection. While Japan subsided as a military power after its defeat in World War II, its neighbor across the sea, China, has been steadily building its military capabilities over the past sixty years and more recently seeking to bolster its economic growth with increased international military (and consequently diplomatic) power.

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English (PDF · 5 pages · 139 KB)

Author:Kai Thaler
Series:IPRIS Viewpoints
Issue:9
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

Uruguay: Political and Economic Conditions and US Relations

This report examines recent political and economic developments in Uruguay as well as issues in U.S.-Uruguayan relations. Uruguay has enjoyed friendly relations with the United States since its transition back to democracy in the 1980s, though it traditionally has had closer ties to Europe and its South American neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. Commercial ties between Uruguay and the United States have expanded substantially in recent years, with the countries signing a bilateral investment treaty in 2004 and a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in January 2007.

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English (PDF · 14 pages · 324 KB)

Author:Peter J Meyer
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Brazil's WTO Case Against the US Cotton Program

On December 21, 2009, Brazil announced that it was authorized by the WTO to impose trade retaliation against up to $829.3 million in U.S. goods in 2010 in a long-running dispute over U.S. cotton subsidies. Brazil states that it may levy duties of up to 100% on a preliminary list of 222 goods of U.S. origin valued at $561 million, then apply the remaining value of $268.3 million in cross-retaliation (i.e., retaliatory countermeasures in sectors outside of the trade in goods, most notably in the area of U.S. copyrights and patents). Brazil has not yet finalized its decision to actually impose retaliatory measures; however, Brazil has said that it would announce a final list of potential retaliatory products in February 2010, when U.S. trade data becomes available.

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English (PDF · 34 pages · 345 KB)

Author:Randy Schnepf
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Time for a Peace Paradigm in Colombia

This report is based on meetings held at USIP on December 1, 2009 with Colombian civil society leaders and members of the U.S. government and nongovernmental sectors. The meetings were part of USIP’s Citizen Dialogues for Peace Project and were co-sponsored with the Colombia Committee for Human Rights, Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), and the Permanent Assembly of Civil Society for Peace.

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English (PDF · 5 pages · 416 KB)

Author:Virginia M Bouvier
Series:USIP Peace Briefings
Issue:8
Publisher:United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Washington, DC, United States

Contested Leadership in International Relations - Power Politics in South America, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Given the importance of the assertion or prevention of regional leadership for the future global order, this paper examines the strategies and resources being used to assert regional leadership as well as the reactions of other states within and outside the respective regions. Three regional dyads, marked by different degrees of “contested leadership,” are analyzed: Brazil vs. Venezuela, India vs. Pakistan, and South Africa vs. Nigeria.

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English (PDF · 35 pages · 405 KB)

Author:Daniel Flemes, Thorsten Wojczewski
Series:GIGA Working Papers
Volume:2010
Issue:121
Publisher:German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Hamburg, Germany

IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin No. 4

This issue of the Lusophone Countries Bulletin examines piracy, democratic and police reform as they affect specific lusophone countries, as well as containing articles discussing topics relevant to all members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. It also includes a timeline of notable events which occurred in February 2010 in the Portuguese-speaking states.

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English (PDF · 18 pages · 309 KB)

Author:Pedro Seabra, Kai Thaler, Vasco Martins, Diogo Noivo, Nuno Canas Mendes, André Saramago, Paulo Gorjão, Gerhard Seibert, Shiguenoli Miyamoto
Editor:Paulo Gorjão
Series:IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin
Issue:4
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

The Potential Role of Non-Traditional Donors' Aid in Africa

This paper challenges the perception that non-traditional aid lacks transparency and contains little or any conditionality thereby undermining the development efforts of ‘traditional’ donors. Moreover, this paper examines the implications of the re-emergence of China, India, Brazil and South Africa as important ‘non-traditional’ donors to Africa on sustainable development and aid flows and governance.

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English (PDF · 43 pages · 1.0 MB)

Author:Peter Kragelund
Series:ICTSD Publications
Publisher:International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), Châtelaine (Geneva), Switzerland

UNASUR: South America's Wishful Thinking?

Although UNASUR currently gathers the focus and expectations of the entire continent, South America should be accustomed by now to such formal entrepreneurships. In fact, since the 20th century, South America has diversified its internal relations and encouraged multiple solutions towards a sustainable development and a peaceful co-existence, though with mixed results. UNASUR's potential merits are indisputable. It envisions a shared and mutual future for nations once considered irreconcilable, and proposes a common regional identity that fosters the external role of South America on the world stage.

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English (PDF · 6 pages · 123 KB)

Author:Pedro Seabra
Series:IPRIS Viewpoints
Issue:10
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

Paraguay: Political and Economic Conditions and US Relations

This report examines recent political and economic developments in Paraguay and issues in US-Paraguayan relations. The United States has encouraged the strengthening of democracy in Paraguay, and hailed the peaceful transition of power from one-party rule. The US and Paraguay cooperate in a number of areas but especially in the fight against corruption, and on anti-drug, counterterrorism and anti-smuggling initiatives.

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English (PDF · 16 pages · 294 KB)

Author:June S Beittel
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Agriculture in Pending US Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea

The 111th US Congress could consider free trade agreements (FTAs) signed by the Bush Administration with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea under trade promotion authority, or fast-track rules, designed to expedite congressional consideration of these agreements. Of these three, the FTA with South Korea would be the most commercially significant one for US agriculture since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect.

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English (PDF · 21 pages · 254 KB)

Author:Remy Jurenas
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Venezuela: Issues in the 111th Congress

This publication outlines political developments in Venezuela since 1998 and US policy toward the country. It discusses economic conditions and the rise to power of President Hugo Chávez. The author discusses US aid to Venezuela and human rights concerns expressed by the US, as well as energy issues due to the fact that Venezuela is a major supplier of oil to the US. The author also highlights increasing concern over Venezuela's deepening relations with Iran and its human rights record.

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English (PDF · 45 pages · 509 KB)

Author:Mark P Sullivan
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Note:The appendices contain links to relevant US Government reports, and a chronology of key developments in 2009.
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Argentine–British Dispute over Falklands

Relations between Argentina and the United Kingdom have become aggravated following the launch by a British company of oil drilling off the coasts of the Falklands. British government is adamant in defending the territory’s present status and refusing to yield to Argentine demands for negotiations on the islands' sovereignty.

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English (PDF · 1 page · 588 KB)

Author:Bartłomiej Znojek
Series:PISM Bulletins
Issue:34
Publisher:Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Warsaw, Poland

IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin No. 5

This issue of the Lusophone Countries Bulletin examines Brazil's National Defense Strategy, oil politics in São Tomé and Príncipe, food sovereignty in Guinea-Bissau and Angola's 'new' constitution. Further articles discuss relations between Portugal and Mozambique, as well as Portuguese energy politics. It also includes a timeline of notable events which occurred in lusophone countries in March 2010.

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English (PDF · 20 pages · 307 KB)

Author:André Monteiro, Alexandre Abreu, José Francisco Pavia, Paulo Gorjão, Gerhard Seibert, Kai Thales, Pedro Seabra
Editor:Paulo Gorjão, Pedro Seabra
Series:IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin
Issue:5
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

Chile nach zwanzig Jahren »Concertación« - Eine erfolgreiche Demokratie in Lateinamerika

Mit dem Amtsantritt von Sebastián Piñera am 11. März findet der erste Machtwechsel in Chile seit der Redemokratisierung statt. Aus den Gründungs- und den nachfolgenden Wahlen ging stets dieselbe Mitte-Links-Parteienkoalition siegreich hervor: die »Concertación de Partidos por la Democracia«. Diese Kontinuität zeugt von der institutionellen Stabilität und dem breiten gesellschaftlichen Grundkonsens, die das Land im regionalen Kontext auszeichnen.

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German (PDF · 4 pages · 62 KB)

Author:Claudia Zilla
Series:SWP Comments
Volume:2010
Issue:27
Publisher:Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin , Germany

EU and Latin America: Reviving a Ten Year Old Partnership

At first glance, one could question the reasons behind the considerable efforts put into improving relations between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC). The shared colonial-historical past and long-lasting cultural affinities with certain European states appear to be the only relevant ties between these two continents, with an entire ocean of differences dividing them. Despite such misconceptions, a concrete analysis of the situation clearly brings to light the advantages and possibilities that would result from the development of relations between the two regions.

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English (PDF · 6 pages · 132 KB)

Author:Pedro Seabra
Series:IPRIS Viewpoints
Issue:12
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

De la Política de la Presencia a la Política de la Diferencia - Representación de las Mujeres en Cuatro Parlamentos México, Chile, Argentina y Urugai

Al hablar sobre la calidad de la democracia, una de las dimensiones analizadas se refiere a cómo la democracia representativa ha facilitado y reducido el pluralismo presente en la sociedad. El reconocimiento de los derechos políticos individuales es considerado como insuficiente para asegurar que todos los ciudadanos puedan, en igualdad de condiciones, participar en la disputa por el poder, asegurando también la representación igualitaria de todas las corrientes presentes en la sociedad.

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Spanish (PDF · 81 pages · 469 KB)

Author:Antonia Martínez, Antonio Garrido
Series:CIDOB Latin America Documents
Issue:32
Publisher:CIDOB Foundation, Barcelona, Spain

Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and US Relations

This report provides a brief historical background of Chile, examines recent political and economic developments, and addresses issues in U.S.-Chilean relations.

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English (PDF · 21 pages · 979 KB)

Author:Peter J Meyer
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Note:The appendices include a map of Chile and a table of Chilean political acronyms.
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

A Concise History of Exchange Rate Regimes in Latin America

This paper analyzes exchange rate regimes implemented by the major Latin American countries since the Second World War, with special attention to the period of the second globalization process beginning in the 1970s. A central argument is that exchange rate policy has played a significant role in shaping many of the macroeconomic outcomes observed during these decades.

This content has been published under Creative Commons Licence (Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Generic).

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English (PDF · 54 pages · 486 KB)

Author:Roberto Frenkel, Martín Rapetti
Series:CEPR Publications
Publisher:Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) , Washington, United States

The Obama Administration and Latin America: Towards a New Partnership?

The presidency of Barack Obama ushered in a welcome honeymoon period in US-Latin American relations following eight years of the Bush administration’s polarizing policies towards the region. Early optimism has been tempered by the reappearance of tensions in hemispheric relations. They include the rise of Brazil as a regional power, the role of Venezuela and the continued strain in US-Cuban relations. Regional relations are further complicated by China’s growing economic presence in Latin America, increased ties with Iran and Russia, different US and Latin reactions to the June 2009 coup in Honduras, and the crisis response to the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Still, the US has potential to advance a strategy of substantive, issue-oriented engagement designed to rekindle the early goodwill that resulted from Obama’s election to the White House.

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English (PDF · 36 pages · 547 KB)

Author:Daniel P Erikson
Series:CIGI Working Papers
Issue:46
Publisher:Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Canada

IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin No. 6

This issue of the Lusophone Countries Bulletin examines the relationship between Portugal and its former colony of São Tomé and Príncipe, and Portuguese foreign policy towards China and the Maghreb. Further articles discuss stability in Guinea-Bissau, and development in Angola. It also includes a timeline of notable events which occurred in lusophone states in April 2010.

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English (PDF · 16 pages · 274 KB)

Author:Alex Vines, Sean Goforth, Vasco Martins, Paulo Gorjão, Diogo Noivo, Pedro Seabra, André Monteiro
Editor:Paulo Gorjão, Pedro Seabra
Series:IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin
Issue:6
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

Die Multilateralisierung des nuklearen Brennstoffkreislaufs - Wie kann die aufstrebende Regionalmacht Brasilien konstruktiv eingebunden werden?

Das nukleare Nichtverbreitungsregime befindet sich in einer handfesten Krise. Ein mögliches Element zu seiner Stärkung besteht in der Multilateralisierung des Brennstoffkreislaufs. Die internationale Debatte darüber konzentriert sich auf die Zukunft der Urananreicherung. Ziel ist, den Zugang zu dieser auch militärisch nutzbaren Technologie mittels Anreizsystemen zu beschränken. Zugleich soll aber die Brennstoffversorgung für die friedliche Nutzung der Atomkraft sichergestellt werden. Deutschland befürwortet eine Reform des Brennstoffkreislaufs und engagiert sich dabei mit eigenen Vorschlägen. Ein wichtiger Wortführer im Lager der Reformgegner ist Brasilien.

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German (PDF · 4 pages · 60 KB)

Author:Sascha Albrecht, Oliver Thränert
Series:SWP Comments
Issue:31
Publisher:Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin , Germany

Linkages Between Technology Choice and Exporting - Evidence from Argentina

This paper aids our understanding of the link between innovation and exporting behavior by detailing how firms may purposefully decide on the source country for the imported innovation and the market that they ultimately serve. We argue that firms who invest in the state-of-the-art technologies pursue a more aggressive exporting strategy and test this hypothesis with firm-level data from Argentina. The empirical results, based on the data from 1402 Argentinean firms over the period 1998-2001, suggest the existence of positive and highly significant effect of spending on new technology on the export performance.

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English (PDF · 34 pages · 296 KB)

Author:Gabriela Schmidt, Natalia Trofimenko
Series:Kiel Institute Working Papers
Issue:1620
Publisher:Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiel, Germany

Capital Controls and Monetary Policy in Developing Countries

This paper looks at the potential for using capital controls as a means of reducing volatility, as well as the economic damage that it can cause. It also examines some case studies in which capital controls were implemented in various countries in recent decades.

This content has been published under Creative Commons Licence (Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Generic).

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English (PDF · 33 pages · 341 KB)

Author:José Antonio Cordero, Juan Antonio Montecino
Series:CEPR Publications
Publisher:Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) , Washington, United States

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

One part of the evolving economic and strategic architecture of Asia is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a free trade agreement that includes nations on both sides of the Pacific. The existing TPP, which originally came into effect in 2006, consists of Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore. The US, Australia, Peru, and Vietnam have committed themselves to joining and expanding this group. The first discussions among the eight countries took place in Melbourne, Australia, during the week of March 15, 2010.

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English (PDF · 19 pages · 716 KB)

Author:Ian F Fergusson, Bruce Vaughn
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Hydrocarbons in the Amazon - Awakening Old Inequalities

Using the example of Peru, this brief argues that there is a growing trend across Latin America where indigenous groups are challenging governments' economic development programs by raising their voices against extractive industries. Over the last decade, many social conflicts are connected to proliferation of the new oil and gas developments.

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English (PDF · 4 pages · 225 KB)

Author:Patricia Vasquez
Series:USIP Peace Briefings
Issue:19
Publisher:United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Washington, DC, United States

The Proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement - Economic and Political Implications

The proposed US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is a bilateral free trade agreement which, if ratified, would eliminate tariffs and other barriers in goods and services between the two countries. On February 27, 2006, the US and Colombia concluded the U.S.-Colombia FTA, and finalized the text of the agreement on July 8, 2006. The two countries signed the agreement on November 22, 2006.

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English (PDF · 31 pages · 301 KB)

Author:M Angeles Villarreal
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Colombia: Issues for Congress

This report reviews US aid to Colombia in the context of the drug conflicts and democratization processes. It begins with an overview of developments from 2008-2010. The authors describe the political situation, including human rights violations by Colombian security forces, global drug trends, and Colombia's role in maintaining regional security. They discuss major pending issues for discussion, including Plan Colombia, paramilitary demobilization, human rights issues and the US Colombia free trade agreement.

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English (PDF · 42 pages · 923 KB)

Author:June S Beittel
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Note:The appendices include a map of Colombia, tables showing coca cultivation statistics in Colombia, US assistance to Colombia (FY2007-2009) and US assistance for Plan Colombia (FY 2007-2009).
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

Argentina’s Defaulted Sovereign Debt - Dealing with the “Holdouts”

This report provides background, analysis, and implications of Argentina’s proposal to resolve its defaulted sovereign debt. In December 2001, following an extended period of economic and political instability, Argentina suffered a severe financial crisis, leading to the largest default on sovereign debt in history. It was widely recognized that Argentina faced an untenable debt situation that was in need of restructuring. In 2005, after prolonged, contentious, and unsuccessful attempts to find a mutually acceptable solution with its creditors, Argentina abandoned the negotiation process and made a one-time unilateral offer on terms highly unfavorable to the creditors.

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English (PDF · 15 pages · 232 KB)

Author:J F Hornbeck
Series:US Congressional Research Service Reports
Publisher:Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington DC, United States

IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin No. 7

This issue of the Lusophone Countries Bulletin assesses the relationship between Brazil and Iran, the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and a micro-credit program in Mozambique. Further articles discuss the challenges facing local government reform in Timor Leste, and Portuguese policy toward the Arabian peninsula. It also includes a timeline of notable events which occurred in lusophone states in May 2010.

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English (PDF · 16 pages · 308 KB)

Author:Pedro Seabra, Paulo Gorjão, Aslak Orre, Diogo Noivo, Dennis Shoesmith
Editor:Paulo Gorjão, Pedro Seabra, Kai Thaler
Series:IPRIS Lusophone Countries Bulletin
Issue:7
Publisher:Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), Lisbon, Portugal

The Changing Coordinates of Trade and Power in Latin America - Implications for Policy Space and Policy Coherence

This paper examines the political and economic context and factors that explain this shift, paying particular attention to the failings of orthodox neoliberalism, the so-called turn to the Left via electoral politics, and the rise of non-state actors in influencing the policy process. It also considers the implications of changes in trade and regional integration policy, as well as in power relations, for inclusive development.

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English (PDF · 78 pages · 642 KB)

Author:Manuel Mejido Costoya, Peter Utting, Gloria Carrión
Series:UNRISD Markets, Business and Regulation Papers
Issue:7
Publisher:United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva, Switzerland

Childcare Service Expansion in Chile and Mexico - For Women or Children or Both?

Over the last few years, several middle-income countries, including Chile, Mexico and Uruguay, have increased the availability of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. This paper looks at recent efforts to expand ECEC services for children up to three years in Chile and Mexico. Although concerns over low female labour force participation and child welfare have emerged on the political agendas of both countries, their approaches to service expansion differ significantly.

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English (PDF · 44 pages · 409 KB)

Author:Silke Staab, Roberto Gerhard
Series:UNRISD Gender and Development Papers
Issue:10
Publisher:United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva, Switzerland

From Rivalry to Mutual Trust - The Othering Process between Bolivia and Chile

Whereas the culture of rivalry is more evident in Bolivia because of its aspiration to alter the border, Chile’s status quo position, which stresses that there are no pending issues with Bolivia, as well as its construction of itself as superior, also represents rivalrous behavior. The perception of Chile as a threat and rival became especially evident in Bolivia during these two countries’ bilateral negotiations to export gas to and through Chile (gas crisis from 2001‐05).

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English (PDF · 26 pages · 619 KB)

Author:Leslie Wehner
Series:GIGA Working Papers
Issue:135
Publisher:German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Hamburg, Germany

Brasilien und Mexiko als "Emerging Donors" in Haiti - Die Wiederaufbauhilfe bietet Chancen für Dreieckskooperationen

Mit dem Plan zum Wiederaufbau Haitis hat die Regierung in Port-au-Prince einen ersten Rahmen für die internationale Unterstützung vorgegeben. Der Plan soll von einer Wiederaufbaukommission umgesetzt werden, deren Mandat zunächst auf 18 Monate befristet ist. Auf einer von den UN ausgerichteten Geberkonferenz hat sich die internationale Gemeinschaft verpflichtet, in den nächsten zehn Jahren 10 Milliarden US-Dollar an Hilfsgeldern bereitzustellen, die von der Weltbank in einem Fonds verwaltet werden sollen. Doch stellt sich die Frage, wie die Gelder operativ einzusetzen sind.

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German (PDF · 4 pages · 61 KB)

Author:Elisa Kochskämper, Günther Maihold, Sebastian Müller
Series:SWP Comments
Issue:39
Publisher:Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin , Germany

Approaches to Fostering Productivity Growth in Brazil, China and India

Productivity growth is a significant contributor to GDP growth, particularly to increases in per capita income. However, there is considerable ambiguity regarding how to measure the concept of technical progress, and consequently on policies that would foster productivity growth. Brazil, China and India, three important emerging economies, are seeking to foster productivity growth through encouraging innovation and technology transfers from the more developed economies. But given the ambiguities about how to encourage innovation and technology transfers, governments in these countries adopted a plethora of policies in the hope that the combination will be effective. This ambiguity can also be seen in the much slower growth of productivity in Brazil than China, even though Brazil has scored higher on the World Bank’s Knowledge Assessment Methodology.

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English (PDF · 60 pages · 958 KB)

Author:Manmohan Agarwal, Yao Li, John Whalley
Series:CIGI Working Papers
Issue:47
Publisher:Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Canada

Gas & Geopolitics - The Foreign Policy Implications of Energy Import Dependency

This thesis contributes to the study of energy security by exploring the effects of energy dependence on importers. It examines data from 167 dyadic oil and gas trade relationships (1990-2008) to answer two questions. First, does gas import dependency have a more profound effect on foreign policy creation than oil dependency? Second, what factors exacerbate or mitigate the foreign policy effects of gas import dependency? The study identifies three quantifiable factors that tend to increase the foreign policy affinity importers display towards their suppliers, and two quantifiable factors that tend to reduce the foreign policy affinity importers show towards their suppliers.

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English (PDF · 99 pages · 1.0 MB)
Author:Sam Stone
Series:CISAC Reports
Publisher:Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), Stanford, United States

The End of Deference: Iran, Brazil and Turkey and the Nuclear Fuel Swap (ARI)

On 17 May 2010 Brazil, Iran and Turkey signed a tri-partite Joint Declaration asserting that a nuclear fuel exchange could lead to wider cooperation to exploit nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. This paper looks at the implications of the nuclear fuel swap agreed on 17 May 2010 between Brazil, Iran and Turkey in the context of Iran’s nuclear programme as well as the reasons and expectations of the Brazilian and Turkish emerging powers with regard to their deal with the Iranian proliferator power.

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English (PDF · 5 pages · 64 KB)
Author:Ian Anthony
Series:Elcano Analyses
Volume: 2010
Issue: 96
Publisher: Elcano Royal Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Madrid, Spain

Too Big a World? Lula, Brazil and the Middle East

The decision to enter the tangled web that is Middle Eastern politics as an extra-regional player, in order to push peace negotiations and help solve conflicts in the region, is a brave one by the Brazilian President Lula da Silva. This drive appears to correspond more closely to motives of presidentialist diplomacy than to the cool and considered calculation of an emerging country’s foreign policy.

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English (PDF · 6 pages · 66 KB)
Author:Günther Maihold
Series:Elcano Analyses
Volume:2010
Issue:62
Publisher:Elcano Royal Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Madrid, Spain