In this paper an index of financial competitiveness is calculated that corresponds to the market-to-book ratio of inward FDI stocks. For a panel of five advanced economies from 1980 to 2006 it is shown that price competitiveness, stable inflation rates and registered patents have a positive impact on the index. Institutional factors like EMU membership or Anglo-Saxon legislation also play a role. Financial competitiveness in turn encourages FDI inflows whereas it benefits fixed investment relative to M&A. There is also some evidence that an innovative environment accelerates investment decisions by promoting competition among investors.
This report provides a selection of authoritative materials for locating information on foreign countries and international organizations. In the general information section, it presents sources giving an overview of politics, economics, and recent history.
Ninth Mediterranean Research Meeting: Workshop 06 ; Elections are sites of festivity, celebrity, and sometimes dramatic suspense, unique occasions for the simultaneous nationwide engagement of candidates, campaign volunteers, poll-workers, voters, and even abstainers and school-children in the quintessential patriotic experience. Yet in an era of globalization, national elections are not necessarily purely domestic affairs; a large cadre of expatriate consultants, trainer-trainers, and monitors often participate directly. This paper considers two alternative understandings of the role of North American, European, and international democracy brokers in Arab elections since the early nineteen nineties. The usual story is that Western democracies set aside democratic altruism to protect vital interests, allies, and spheres of influence in the Middle East: instrumental realism trumps lofty idealism. The counter-argument is that a transnational regime, industry, or consortium of experts forging technical standards and sharing knowledge through epistemic communities gradually empowers Arab publics to select their leaders. This paper presents the case that these mutually exclusive viewpoints reflect concurrent yet fundamentally incompatible patterns. Evident for over a decade, these trajectories collided in the ironic juxtaposition of "by the book" Palestinian elections that defied Western preferences with the unorthodox, slapdash balloting in Iraq. In other words, great powers disregard and ultimately undermine the "codes of conduct" written by transnational networks of experts and understood by an important segment of the educated Arab public. The analysis contains an ethical paradox inasmuch as Euro-American interference in Arab elections would be easier to criticize if it were not resisted by despots defending decidedly anti-democratic practices.
This article assesses the legality at international law of "protection elsewhere" policies, that is, policies whereby responsibility for refugees is transferred between states such as in the US-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement. An analysis of the operation of such policies in Europe, Australia, and North America raises serious concerns about the ability of such schemes to uphold their aims and objectives in conformity with international law. The paper concludes by recommending that states reconsider the utility and legality of such schemes with a view to developing policies that genuinely address the need for responsibility sharing. ; Cet article évalue la légalité en droit international des politiques dites « protection ailleurs », c.-à-d. les politiques sous le couvert desquelles la responsabilité envers les réfugiés est transférée entre états, comme c'est le cas avec l'Entente entre le Canada et les États Unis sur les tiers pays sûrs. Une analyse de l'opération de telles politiques en Europe, en Australie et en Amérique du Nord soulève de sérieuses questions sur la capacité de tels arrangements à respecter leurs buts et objectifs en conformité avec le droit international. L'article conclut avec la recommandation que les états reconsidèrent l'utilité et la légalité de tels arrangements avec comme objectif le développement de politiques qui répondent réellement au besoin de partage de la responsabilité.
Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The International Space Station (ISS), the most complex scientific space project ever attempted, remains incomplete. NASA expects the station's final construction cost will be $31 billion and expects sustainment costs through the station's planned retirement in fiscal year 2016 to total $11 billion. The space shuttle, the only vehicle capable of transporting large segments of the station into orbit, is critical to its completion. NASA plans to complete ISS assembly and retire the shuttle in 2010 in order to pursue a new generation of space flight vehicles, which will not begin to be available until 2015. To provide crew rotation and logistical support during this 5-year gap, NASA plans to rely on spacecraft developed by the commercial sector and other countries. In light of these circumstances, GAO examined the risks and challenges NASA faces in (1) completing assembly of the ISS by 2010 and (2) providing logistics and maintenance to the ISS after 2010. GAO's work to accomplish this included reviewing budget, planning, and other documents from NASA; reviewing NASA officials' testimonies; and interviewing NASA and foreign space program officials."
Congress approved an FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764) during the week of December 17, 2007, that included some emergency supplemental funding for international affairs requested by the White House. This report analyzes the international affairs portion of the request and tracks related legislative activity.
Despite an abundance of cross-section, panel, and event studies, there is strikingly little convincing documentation of direct positive impacts of financial opening on the economic welfare levels or growth rates of developing countries. The econometric difficulties are similar to those that bedevil the literature on trade openness and growth, though if anything, they are more severe in the context of international finance. There is also little systematic evidence that financial opening raises welfare indirectly by promoting collateral reforms of economic institutions or policies. At the same time, opening the financial account does appear to raise the frequency and severity of economic crises. Nonetheless, developing countries continue to move in the direction of further financial openness. A plausible explanation is that financial development is a concomitant of successful economic growth, and a growing financial sector in an economy open to trade cannot long be insulated from cross?border financial flows. This survey discusses the policy framework in which financial globalization is most likely to prove beneficial for developing countries. The reforms developing countries need to carry out to make their economies safe for international asset trade are the same reforms they need to carry out to curtail the power of entrenched economic interests and liberate the economy's productive potential.
From the Publisher: A Basic Guide to Exporting provides a complete overview of the basics of exporting. ; Includes index. ; 1: Introduction: the world is open for business -- Case study: Domes International -- 2: Developing an export strategy -- Determining your product's export potential -- Assessing your company's export readiness -- Developing an export plan -- Case study: Myktyn Enterprises, Inc. -- 3: Developing a marketing plan -- Market research -- Methods of market research -- Step-by-step approach to market research -- Sources of market research -- Case study: Vellus Products -- 4: Export advice -- Making the government work for you -- US Commercial Service export assistance centers -- US Commercial Service overseas posts -- Trade Information Center, US Commercial Service -- US Trade and Development Agency -- Export-Import Bank of the United States -- Advocacy Center, US Commercial Service -- Trade Compliance Center, US Department of Commerce -- Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce -- Minority Business Development Agency, US Department of Commerce -- Where else to look for assistance -- Case study: Solatube -- 5: Methods and channels -- Approaches to exporting -- Distribution considerations -- Indirect exporting -- Direct exporting -- Getting organized for exporting -- Case study: LightStream Technologies -- 6: Finding qualified buyers -- US Department of Commerce worldwide buyer finding programs -- Department of Commerce trade event programs -- US Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service -- US Agency for International Development -- US Trade and Development Agency -- State and local government assistance -- Promotion in publications and other media -- Case study: SCIFIT Systems Inc. -- 7: Using technology licensing and joint ventures -- Technology licensing -- Joint ventures -- Case study: Spancrete Machinery Corporation -- 8: Preparing your product for export -- Questions to consider -- Product adaptation -- Engineering and redesign -- Branding, labeling, and packaging -- Installation -- Warranties -- Case study: Falcon Waterfree Technologies -- 9: Exporting services -- Service exports with high growth potential -- Aspects of service exports -- Marketing services abroad -- Obtaining government support for service exports -- Case study: Two Men and a Truck -- 10: International legal considerations -- Export regulations -- Import regulations of foreign governments -- North American Free Trade Agreement -- US foreign-trade zones -- Export processing zones -- Customs-bonded warehouses -- Intellectual property considerations -- Case study: Tierra Dynamic -- 11: Going online: e-exporting tools for small businesses -- Use of electronic commerce for international business and trade -- Market development on the web -- Tools to assess your firm's readiness to go on line -- Steps to going on line -- Executing orders and providing after-sales service -- Other important sales considerations -- Case study: Evetek Computer Corp. -- 12: Shipping your product -- Freight forwarders -- Packing -- Labeling -- Documentation -- Shipping -- Insurance -- Tariffs -- Major shippers -- Case study: Certified Worldwide LLC -- 13: Pricing, quotations, and terms -- Pricing considerations -- Quotations and pro forma invoices -- Terms of sale -- Case study: Home Instead Senior Care -- 14: Methods of payment -- Prudent credit practices -- Cash in advance -- Documentary letters of credit and documentary collections or drafts -- Open account -- Consignment sales -- Foreign currency -- Payment problems -- Case study: LuLu's Dessert -- 15: Financing export transactions -- Extending credit to foreign buyers -- Working with commercial banks -- Using discounting and banker's acceptances -- Using export intermediaries -- Using government assistance programs -- Obtaining funding from multilateral development banks -- Exploring state and local export finance programs -- Case Study: JQ American -- 16: Business travel abroad -- Obtaining proper documentation -- Planning an itinerary -- Obtaining assistance from US embassies and consulates -- Considering cultural factors -- Case study: Candy Bouquet International -- 17: Selling overseas and after-sales service -- Responding to inquiries -- Learning about potential clients -- Conducting business internationally -- Building a working relationship -- Providing after-sales service -- Case study: Telewave, Inc. -- Appendix A: Glossary -- Appendix B: List of US export assistance centers -- Index. ; From the Publisher: A Basic Guide to Exporting provides a complete overview of the basics of exporting. ; Mode of access: Internet.
This paper introduces preliminary evidence from a cross-country database of policy characteristics and potential uses of that database. While most databases have emphasized either the content of policies (e.g., size of government deficits) or countries' formal institutions (e.g., political regime, electoral system), the variables in this database reflect the policymaking capabilities of different polities. The paper attempts to explain these policy characteristics as depending on the workings of political institutions, using a logic emphasizing intertemporal political compromise. The paper also contrasts this logic with alternatives such as the veto players approach. The paper concludes by suggesting the use of these policy characteristics or state capabilities as explanatory variables for the effectiveness of public spending in various social areas.
In this article we want to give an overview of the international dimension and the interest of the European Union (EU) in the concept of Science Shops. The European Commission (EC) manages the day-to-day business by initiating and implementing EU policies and spending EU funds. The EC support for Science Shops has been an important factor for the international interest and progress of the Science Shop movement. This article will not give detailed information about daily routines of a Science Shop. Detailed information about the Science Shop concept can be found at the Living Knowledge website (www.livingknowledge.org). Living Knowledge represents the international Science Shop Network. In this article international developments of the Science Shop Network, like the project TRAMS, and Science Shop backgrounds will be linked with past and new EU policies like the EU 7th Framework Programme for Research. It shows how community-based research does not only have a local dimension. The international Science Shop activities show the strengths of international cooperation to break out of the local and to bring local issues on the international agenda. Detailed information about the Science Shop concept and daily routines of a Science Shop can be found at the Living Knowledge website (www.livingknowledge.org), e.g. at the FAQ section and in the toolbox.
In the autumn of 2006, the national government had introduced a gymnasium reform bill, called GY07, which was going to have a significant impact on the school curriculm. Facing major restructuring, we struggled with the challenge of finding new ways to adapt, prepare and improve the international teacher team's profile, to meet the changes and challenges ahead. As part of my master's program, I assumed the role of research practitioner and carried out an action research project in the winter/spring 2006-07, within my own teacher team. Together, we explored how an international team, faced with developing a strategy for dealing with the impending reform, could strengthening its international profile as a catalyst for development. The team participated in a series of round-table discussions that tried to focus on developing strategy and ways of making the team cohesive and viable, in order to be better equipped for the new international project work / communication and language curriculum. The discussions, along with my reflections form the basis of the action and provide the data for my conclusions. One year later, I followed-up by interviewing the team members, to find out how the team has developed and succeeded in creating a stronger profile. The complexity of studying in my own team was more than I bargained for. My research shows that to strenghten a team profile, it is important to, first identify and eliminate obstacles that prevent team building, team collaboration and school development, which are some of the key concepts in this project.
ÖZET'Havayolu ile Taşıyanın Uluslarası Hukukta, Avrupa Hukukunda, ve Türk Hukukunda Sorumluluğu' başlığı altındaki bu tezi yazmaktaki amacım hava taşıyanın sorumluluğunu Uluslarası hukuk, Türk hukuku ve Avrupa Birliği hukuku açısından karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemektir. Yedi bölümde ele alınan bu tez, hava taşımacılığı geniş bir çalışma alanını kapsadığından, esas olarak hava yük taşıyanının sorumluluğunu incelemektedir. Bu nedenle çalışmanın amacı öncelikle 1929 Varşova Konvansiyonu ile düzenlenen uluslararası havayolu ile yük taşımacılığıdır. Çalışmanın birinci bölümünde uluslararası sivil havacılıkta havayolu ile taşıyanın sorumluluğunun gelişimini, La Haye 1955 Protokolünden başlayarak 1999 Montreal Konvansiyonuna kadar olan Varşova Konvansiyonun tarihi gelişimini temel kaynaklarını, yapılan değişikleri incelenmektedir. Ayrıca bu bölümde Intercarrier Agreements (Taşıyanlar arası anlaşmalar) ve Avrupa Birliği tüzükleri incelenmektedir. İkinci bölümde Türk Sivil Havacılık Kanunu ele alınmaktadır. Üçüncü bölümde, havayolu ile yük taşıma sözleşmesi ve hava yük senedi incelenmaktedir. Dördüncü bölümde, taşıyanın borçları ve hakları ele alınmaktadır. Beşinci bölümde, taşıtanın hak ve borçları ele alınmaktadır. Altıncı bölümde, gönderilenin hak ve borçları ele alınmaktadır. Yedinci ve son bölümde, taşıyanın sorumluluğu, sorumluluk halleri ve şartları, sorumluluğun sınırlandırılması, sınırsız sorumluluk ve sorumluluk davası incelenmektedir. ABSTRACTWith this research under the title "Air Carrier Liability in International Law, European Law and in Turkish Law' my purpose is to analyze liability of the carrier by air by comparing and contrasting the International and Turkish law and the European Union Legislation.The thesis, which is organized in seven parts, examines mainly the liability of the air cargo carrier, since the air transport covers a large concept of study. Therefore, the object of this study is the uniform law governing international carriage by air during international transportation of cargo which is primarily regulated by the Warsaw Convention, 1929. The first part of the thesis looks the evolution of the concept of air carrier liability in international law of civil aviation, the history of the Warsaw Convention including basic sources and subsequent amendments to the Warsaw Convention beginning from the Hague Protocol 1955 to the Montreal Convention 1999. It is also dealing with the Intercarrier Agreements and European Regulations. The second part deals with Turkish Civil Aviation Act. The third part deals with the contract for the carriage of cargo by air, and the air waybill. The fourth part deals with the rights and obligations of the carrier. The fifth part deals with rights and obligations of the consignor. The sixth part deals with the rights and obligations of the consignee. The seventh and last part deals with the liability of the carrier, liability grounds and conditions, principles of limitation of liability, unlimited liability and liability suit.
Processes such as internationalisation and privatisation bring along new challenges both for the conceptualisation and for the measurement of transformations of the state. This paper outlines a semiotic Method of Structural Connotation, which combines content- and network analysis, thus to model change in international politics. After an investigation of the methodical and epistemological chances and pitfalls a 5-step-toolbox is presented and illustrated with a current application: The Bologna-Process for a European Higher Education Area. ; Angesichts neuerer Entwicklungen wie Internationalisierung und Privatisierung stellen sich auch neue Herausforderungen für die Konzeptualisierung und Messung von Staatlichkeit im Wandel. In diesem Arbeitspapier wird eine semiotische Methode Struktureller Konnotation vorgestellt, die inhaltsanalytische und netzwerkanalytische Elemente zusammenführt, um den Wandel internationaler politischer Prozesse und Akteursfigurationen zu erfassen. Nach einer Betrachtung der methodischen und epistemologischen Herausforderungen und Chancen folgt ein konkreter Verfahrensvorschlag nach dem Baukastenprinzip. Am Beispiel des Bologna-Prozesses für einen Europäischen Hochschulraum wird das methodische Vorgehen Schritt für Schritt erläutert.
