Business & Society
Water Quality Issues in Developing Countries
Of all the environmental concerns that developing countries face, the lack of adequate water of
good quality is probably the most serious.
Global Social Justice
Income Inequalities in Perspective
Income and wealth inequalities in most countries – in the West, the former ‘communist’ economies and in the developing world – have been on the rise in the last three decades with some notable exceptions. Inequalities in the 19th century (Figure 1) were much higher than before the Industrial Revolution. Read more…
Global Social Justice
The Decade of Adjustment: A Review of Austerity Trends 2010-2020 in 187 Countries
“The Decade of Adjustment: A Review of Austerity Trends 2010-2020 in 187 Countries”, by Isabel Ortiz, Matthew Cummins, Jeronim Capaldo, Kalaivani Karunanethy. Geneva: ILO, IPD Columbia University and the South Centre. This paper: (i) examines the latest IMF government spending projections for 187 countries between 2005 and 2020; (ii) reviews Read more…
Globalization
A strategic agenda for the Sino-South America relationship under China’s “new normal”
This article analyzes from a strategic approach the relationship between South America and China, focusing on the current reform process in the largest Asian economy and its possible impacts on South American countries. It discusses the many changes that the Chinese economy has gone through in recent decades and also Read more…
Globalization
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) involves twelve Pacific Rim economies of varying sizes and structures. Although often portrayed as a free trade agreement, the TPPA can, at best, be expected to deliver paltry overall growth gains from trade liberalization. The much higher figures touted by TPPA advocates are largely due Read more…
Global Social Justice
Austerity: the New Normal
This working paper: (i) examines historical and projected government expenditure trends for 189 countries; (ii) reviews the latest IMF country reports for countries to identify the main channels used by governments to adjust expenditures; (iii) discusses the negative social impacts of austerity measures; (iv) presents the renewed Washington Consensus advised Read more…
Global Social Justice
Global Austerity Alert: Looming Budget Cuts in 2021-25 and Alternative Pathways
This paper warns of an emerging post-pandemic fiscal austerity shock—one that is far more premature and severe than the one that followed the global financial crisis—and presents alternative options to ensure that populations do not yet again have to suffer austerity cuts. It does so by: (i) examining IMF government Read more…
Global Social Justice
End Austerity: A Global Report on Budget Cuts and Harmful Social Reforms in 2022-25
This global report alerts of the dangers of a post-pandemic austerity shock, far more premature and severe than the one that followed the global financial crisis. Instead of harmful austerity measures (or “fiscal consolidation”), governments must urgently identify alternative financing options to support their populations that are coping with multiple Read more…
Global Social Justice
The Global Social Justice Program aims to generate debate on the distributional impacts – the winners and losers – of current policies and to provide alternatives based on the rights of all peoples to benefit from economic and social progress. The world’s extreme inequalities should make us question the current development models, which have accrued mostly to the wealthiest. The Program aims to evidence how economic decisions affect all citizens but are often taken without adequately looking at their social impacts, therefore benefitting the better-off and perpetuating inequality patterns. The Global Social Justice Program will present alternatives to maximize the public interest and reduce inequalities, both at the national and global levels.
Governance of Globalization
The Governance of Globalization Task Force seeks to differentiate topical ideas based on solid theory and evidence from views based on narrow interests and ideology. Within national economies there is widespread recognition of the need for governments to assume a role in the economy, e.g. in the supervision of financial institutions.