Encountering Development - The Making and Unmaking of the Third World (New in Paper)

Peter Bauer, a pioneer of development economics, is an incisive thinker whose work continues to influence fields from political science to history to anthropology. As Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen writes in the introduction to this book, "the originality, force, and extensive bearing of his writings have been quite astonishing." This collection of Bauer's essays reveals the full power and range of his thought as well as the central concern that underlies so much of his diverse work: the impact of people's conduct, their cultural institutions, and the policies of their governments on economic progress.

The papers here cover pressing and controversial issues, including the process that transforms a subsistence economy into an exchange economy, the reputed correlation between poverty and population density, the alleged responsibility of the West for Third World poverty, the often counterproductive results of foreign aid, and the effects of egalitarian policies on individual freedoms. Bauer addresses these and other matters with clarity, verve, and wit, combining his deep understanding of economic theory and methodology with keen insights into human nature. The book is a penetrating account of how to develop a prosperous economy alongside a free and fair society and a stimulating introduction to the work of a man who has done so much to shape our modern understanding of developing economies and of the relationship of economics to the other social sciences.

"This selection of essays will give readers a wonderful opportunity to learn about the rich world of cognizance and analysis erected by one of the great architects of political economy. I feel privileged to be able to offer this letter of invitation."--From the introduction by Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in economics

In this provocative and timely book, David Kennedy explores what can go awry when we put our humanitarian yearnings into action on a global scale--and what we can do in response.

Rooted in Kennedy's own experience in numerous humanitarian efforts, the book examines campaigns for human rights, refugee protection, economic development, and for humanitarian limits to the conduct of war. It takes us from the jails of Uruguay to the corridors of the United Nations, from the founding of a non-governmental organization dedicated to the liberation of East Timor to work aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

Kennedy shares the satisfactions of international humanitarian engagement--but also the disappointments of a faith betrayed. With humanitarianism's new power comes knowledge that even the most well-intentioned projects can create as many problems as they solve. Kennedy develops a checklist of the unforeseen consequences, blind spots, and biases of humanitarian work--from focusing too much on rules and too little on results to the ambiguities of waging war in the name of human rights. He explores the mix of altruism, self-doubt, self-congratulation, and simple disorientation that accompany efforts to bring humanitarian commitments to foreign settings.

Writing for all those who wish that "globalization" could be more humane, Kennedy urges us to think and work more pragmatically.

A work of unusual verve, honesty, and insight, this insider's account urges us to embrace the freedom and the responsibility that come with a deeper awareness of the dark sides of humanitarian governance.

Michael Ignatieff draws on his extensive experience as a writer and commentator on world affairs to present a penetrating account of the successes, failures, and prospects of the human rights revolution. Since the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, this revolution has brought the world moral progress and broken the nation-state's monopoly on the conduct of international affairs. But it has also faced challenges. Ignatieff argues that human rights activists have rightly drawn criticism from Asia, the Islamic world, and within the West itself for being overambitious and unwilling to accept limits. It is now time, he writes, for activists to embrace a more modest agenda and to reestablish the balance between the rights of states and the rights of citizens.

Ignatieff begins by examining the politics of human rights, assessing when it is appropriate to use the fact of human rights abuse to justify intervention in other countries. He then explores the ideas that underpin human rights, warning that human rights must not become an idolatry. In the spirit of Isaiah Berlin, he argues that human rights can command universal assent only if they are designed to protect and enhance the capacity of individuals to lead the lives they wish. By embracing this approach and recognizing that state sovereignty is the best guarantee against chaos, Ignatieff concludes, Western nations will have a better chance of extending the real progress of the past fifty years. Throughout, Ignatieff balances idealism with a sure sense of practical reality earned from his years of travel in zones of war and political turmoil around the globe.

Based on the Tanner Lectures that Ignatieff delivered at Princeton University's Center for Human Values in 2000, the book includes two chapters by Ignatieff, an introduction by Amy Gutmann, comments by four leading scholars--K. Anthony Appiah, David A. Hollinger, Thomas W. Laqueur, and Diane F. Orentlicher--and a response by Ignatieff.

The main characteristics of the public sector and of the private sector are then discussed in turn, as a prelude to an examination of the rationale behind privatization. Once the case for privatization is established, the author proceeds methodically to study the process itself, and concludes that a decision to privatize should be based not on political ideology alone, but on a sober empirical analysis of its expected costs and benefits.

One of the book's highlights is the emphasis placed on the importance of the "indirect" costs of privatization, particularly those associated with the use of foreign resources. The presence of foreigners holding key positions in a newly independent state is often resented by the nationals, and may even lead to political instability.

Another highlight is a myth exploded: the author denies any automatic link between privatization and democratization. He deplores donors who insist on progress in privatization as a condition for disbursing aid, based on their false belief that more privatization means better democracy.

In 2010, global technology spending exceeded $4.2 trillion, equivalent to the world’s fourth largest economy—and its growth rate is substantially outstripping GDP growth in advanced economies. Virtually overnight, a massive “global technology economy” has emerged—and it’s gained far more influence than most decision-makers recognize. Understanding this economy is now crucial for every investor, executive, strategist, and policymaker. In The Macroeconomics of the Global Technology Economy, world-renowned expert Dr. Howard A. Rubin illuminates it as never before. Rubin helps you recognize, map, and understand how technology investments interact with value creation, and use this knowledge to optimize your own technology investments, whether you’re operating on a corporate, national, or global level. In a world that’s changing at breakneck speed, he helps you understand the role of technology in driving that change—drilling down to variables ranging from availability of IT skills and high-speed Internet connections to the growth of computer power. Along the way, he also discusses sectors pioneering especially intense IT usage, notably financial services, where 92% of business costs now relate to data. Rubin concludes with an overview of the navigational disciplines and iterative, real-time processes that companies will need to optimize performance and competitiveness in a world that’s becoming increasingly IT and data-centric.

2012 US Department of Defense Strategic Guidance - Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for the 21st Century Defense