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In reviewing the history of portions of international studies, I reflect on how we might best advance knowledge. I dwell on two issues: questions of method & the urgency of refocusing our efforts on leaders & domestic affairs as the centerpiece for understanding the world of international relations. I argue that scientific progress is best made by combining three methodological approaches in our research: formal, mathematical logic to ensure internal consistency in arguments about complex & contingent relations among variables; case studies & archival research to evaluate verisimilitude between theory & action; & statistical analysis to establish the generality of the hypothesized relations among variables. Often such methodologically diverse & progressive research will best be accomplished by encouraging collaboration rather than by perpetuating the current norm of penalizing co-authorship especially among junior scholars. I offer concrete examples of advances in knowledge achieved through the employment of mathematical reasoning & statistical analysis as many have cast doubts about the substantive contributions of these particular approaches. My perspective is, of course, personal & may not be shared by many others. I set out my thoughts, therefore, with the hope that they will stimulate constructive debate & dialogue & that they will serve to integrate diverse approaches to international affairs. 39 References. Adapted from the source document.

Following a brief historical introduction and a discussion of different types of commercial policy, this paper reviews the arguments for and against trade protection. In the bench-mark case of a competitive, small, open economy, free trade maximizes aggregate national welfare, although some individual groups will lose unless compensation is actually paid. Guidelines for policy include the uniform reduction and concertina rules for tariff cuts, and the principle of targeting: corrective measures should be applied as close to the source of the distortion as possible. Relaxing the bench-mark assumptions allows exceptions to the case for free trade: optimal tariffs to manipulate world prices; strategic tariffs or export subsidies when home firms engage in oligopolistic competition with foreign rivals; and infant industry protection to allow home firms benefit from learning by doing. Protection can also raise the growth rate, though it is less likely to raise welfare in a growing economy. Overall, with due allowance for some ambiguity, both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence suggest a pragmatic case for free trade. Finally, the paper notes the political pressures for and against protection, and the role of international institutions such as the GATT in underpinning moves towards freer trade.

Government policies to reduce environmental pollution and global warming are often criticized as damaging to the economy, particularly by reducing international competitiveness. This book addresses the issue by examining many of the policies concerned, and their effects on competitiveness. It demonstrates that well-designed, market-oriented environmental policies may be expected to improve both domestic and international competitiveness. The authors dismiss the fear that environmental policies will damage competitiveness by approaching the issue from four different perspectives: the economic analysis of competitiveness; a geo-economic approach to trade and foreign investment between Europe, NAFTA and Southeast Asia; studies of the effects of environmental policies on competitiveness; and the formal modelling of carbon taxation, international competitiveness and carbon leakage. The book also includes results from a global econometric model on the potential for carbon leakage, a detailed case study of German national policies, an examination of life cycle analysis and competitiveness, and an empirical study of green product development. This book will be of great interest to academics working in the field of environmental economics and researchers involved in environmental policy

The essential University missions are the education and the research. This last one is able to generate new knowledge an inovation for the companies. The economic competition between the European Union and advanced and underdeveloped countries is a permanent challenge.To take it up, the European Union has created the European Research Area as a structuring tool for the research coming from the european countries.The financing of collaborative international research project by the seventh Framework Programme encourage the searchers of various laboratories to collaborate.Like Europe, the states, the institutes define their international research policy. If the international experiences of such institutes is an element of reseachers progress, it is also an opportunity of freedom for their job. ; Les principales missions de l'Université sont la formation et la recherche. Cette dernière est source de nouvelles connaissances et d'innovation pour les entreprises. La compétition économique que livre l'Union Européenne aux pays développés et les pays en émergence est un défi permanent.Pour répondre à ce challenge, l'Union Européenne s'est engagée dans un processus de structuration et de mutualisation de la recherche des pays membres au sein de l'Espace Européen de la Recherche. En finançant par l'intermédiaire du 7ème programme cadre des projets communs de recherche, l'Union Européenne incite les chercheurs à se regrouper pour collaborer.A l'instar de l'Europe, les Etats, les institutions diverses définissent leur politique de relations internationales en recherche.Si l'ouverture internationale est un élément de progrès et d'épanouissement pour le chercheur, c'est aussi un espace de liberté pour son travail.