Global Governance

It is widely recognized that the objectives and means by which intellectual property regulations are established will determine, in part, whether poor countries are able to close existing knowledge, technology, and healthcare gaps in a manner consistent with the Millennium Development Goals. There is a real need to create an academic and non-ideological discussion and literature on IPR so that participants in the global debate can proceed with the best possible information. IPD has established the Intellectual Property Task Force to fill this space and to help inform the international community in what is already a contentious and enormously important dialogue.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It does so by supporting economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, which are essential to increase productivity, job creation, and economic well-being. The IMF is governed by and accountable to its member countries.

No public policy issue is of more importance than the structure and level of taxes. Developing countries face a specific set of challenges in trying to design a successful tax system, and there is no reason to believe that the patterns and policies that are effective in the U.S. or in Western European countries will carry over. The Task Force finds theoretical or empirical evidence on how changes in policy such as tax rates, important tax provisions (e.g. introducing tax holidays), tariffs, tax administration, and financial regulations impact development.

Economic growth in developing countries has long been associated with large-scale environmental degradation. Governments trying to achieve growth have too often under-invested in public goods and failed to impose the environmental regulations necessary to prevent encroachment and exploitation of ecosystems.

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) is the think tank of the progressive political family at EU level. Our mission is to develop innovative research, policy advice, training and debates to inspire and inform socialist and social democratic politics and policies across Europe.