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For a number of net food importing developing countries (NFIDCs), abrupt changes in international staple food prices constitute an important source of macroeconomic instability. Theory suggests that in the face of instable current accounts, due to relatively volatile export earnings and/or food import bills, agents should seek to boost savings, a move that enables smoothing consumption over time. Yet, the ability to increase the level of savings is rather limited in many poor NFIDCs, mainly due to weak domestic financial systems. Their capacity to borrow funds from world markets to finance food imports is also limited because of generally elevated levels of default risks. A casual review of staple foods and cash crops price series shows that they tend to display a synchronized behavior. This was particularly evident during 2007-2011, corresponding to the period of high and volatile commodity prices. This coordinated price movement means that export revenues, from the sales of cash crops that many NFIDCs rely on, could act as a good hedge against surges in food import bills, and hence, contribute to reducing current account instability. This is because international demand for agricultural commodities is generally inelastic, implying that movements in prices outweigh those of quantities. This thesis explores the relationship between cash crop and staple food prices by examining co-movements and dynamics in terms of level and volatility. While movements in quantities together with prices determine the direction and magnitude of export earnings, the focus of this research is exclusively on the price component of the equation, given its relative importance. This study applies a series of econometric techniques, including GARCH estimation, wavelet analysis, volatility spillover index, general forecast error variance decomposition, and Bayesian model averaging, to characterize the interdependence between a selection of major international cash crop and staple food price series. Results show that the intensity of interaction between cash crop and staple food quotations varies considerably, but is generally positive and stronger during the period 2007-2011 associated with high commodity prices and financial market stress. Results also indicate that the level of co-movement and volatility linkages are strongest at lower frequencies (i.e. longer run) than at higher time scales (i.e. short run), with information running from staple food to the cash crop markets. Finally, an analysis of the international sugar market, using a Bayesian model averaging technique, confirms the importance of staple food prices as key determinants of international sugar quotations. Positive conditional correlation between cash crop and staple food markets means that Governments of NFIDCs can evaluate more accurately their financial needs in the face of current account imbalances due to import bills by taking into consideration the fact that revenues from cash crop exports can reduce funding requirements, and hence borrowing costs. They can also use price information relevant to international staple foods in the design and planning of investment strategies for the cash crop sub-sector.

This paper motivates the choice of the functional comparative method to research the issue of civil remedies for international corruption. It shows how the social, economic and political factors that have shaped the normative context of the research question point to the functional comparative method as an appropriate methodology. The paper suggests that this method of legal research is able to meet the challenges inherent in the cross-cultural analysis required in the case of issues with an international dimension. The paper also argues that the use of the functional comparative method provides a perspective on the larger issue of rule making in a globalised world, by providing an element of predictability in the search for 'common rules' of interaction. Furthermore, the functional comparison of responses of legal systems to the question of civil remedies for international corruption provides a window on the possibilities that exist for legal reform and development.

Solidarity and community interest may appear to be purely abstract notions. But in fact they may form the basis of a more flexible approach to international lawmaking than traditional formulas of legally binding commitments. Through an empirical analysis of existing and emerging public international law, this book traces these concepts in existing regimes and investigates the impact they have had and will continue to have on the progressive development of specific international regimes, particularly those serving the protection of the environment and of human rights. It discusses how through these two regimes these concepts have changed the international normative order and explores the challenges such changes have created for implementation and enforcement. One such challenge is the lack of an adequate dispute settlement regime, and the book closes with some practical suggestions for an appropriate mechanism

A critical review of current knowledge about international field education yielded four main conclusions. First, an unresolved debate exists relating to the meaning of international social work (ISW). Second, various motives drive students, faculty and professionals to participate in ISW. Third, developing a curriculum for ISW presents unique challenges. Fourth, four competing models of international field placement exist: (1) Independent/one-time; (2) Neighbor-country; (3) Onsite group; and (4) Exchange/reciprocal. Based on the review, principles for effective ISW field placement, especially intensive preparation and collaboration between sending and host schools, as well as directions for future research are offered.