Founded by Edgar F. Allen in 1922 in Elyria, Ohio as The International Society for Crippled Children, today Rehabilitation International (RI) is a global network promoting and implementing the rights, inclusion and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. From the beginning, the organization dedicated itself to assist disabled people, doing so by providing direct services, by disseminating information, and by influencing political decisionmaking. Uniquely, it has been a cross-disability, cross-disciplinary, and international organization from the start. Further, in its first decade as in its eighth, conceiving and publicizing bills of rights were a key feature of the organization's mission.
The global economy has in recent years been characterized among other things by large imbalances between countries and regions, capital flow volatility, and large reserve accumulation by several countries, in some cases well beyond any reasonable measure of reserve adequacy. The global imbalances were most clearly reflected in large current account deficits in the US and large current account surpluses in many emerging market economies in Asia and elsewhere. The surpluses were in at least some cases the result of aggressive export oriented policies and limited exchange rate flexibility. Persistent large imbalances are themselves a potential source of disruptive developments, and the policies of the largest reserve accumulators are likely to have played a role in creating the conditions that brought about the global financial crisis. The report of a high level EU group of experts concluded among other things that ―credit expansion in the US was financed by massive capital inflows from the major emerging countries with external surpluses, notably China. By pegging their currencies to the dollar, China and other economies such as Saudi Arabia in practice imported loose US monetary policy, thus allowing global imbalances to build up. Current account surpluses in these countries were recycled into US government securities and other lower-risk assets, depressing their yields and encouraging other investors to search for higher yields from more risky assets. In this environment of plentiful liquidity and low returns, investors actively sought higher yields and went searching for opportunities. Risk became mis-priced.
The global economy has in recent years been characterized among other things by large imbalances between countries and regions, capital flow volatility, and large reserve accumulation by several countries, in some cases well beyond any reasonable measure of reserve adequacy. The global imbalances were most clearly reflected in large current account deficits in the US and large current account surpluses in many emerging market economies in Asia and elsewhere. The surpluses were in at least some cases the result of aggressive export oriented policies and limited exchange rate flexibility. Persistent large imbalances are themselves a potential source of disruptive developments, and the policies of the largest reserve accumulators are likely to have played a role in creating the conditions that brought about the global financial crisis. The report of a high level EU group of experts concluded among other things that -credit expansion in the US was financed by massive capital inflows from the major emerging countries with external surpluses, notably China. By pegging their currencies to the dollar, China and other economies such as Saudi Arabia in practice imported loose US monetary policy, thus allowing global imbalances to build up. Current account surpluses in these countries were recycled into US government securities and other lower-risk assets, depressing their yields and encouraging other investors to search for higher yields from more risky assets. In this environment of plentiful liquidity and low returns, investors actively sought higher yields and went searching for opportunities. Risk became mis-priced.
For patriotic citizens, living in their native country is intrinsically preferable compared to living in the diaspora. In this paper, we analyze the implications of such a patriotic lock-in in a world with international migration and redistributive taxation. In a formal model of redistribution with international migration and fiscal competition we derive the main hypothesis: that countries with a more patriotic population should have higher redistributive taxes. Using ISSP survey data and combining them with OECD taxation data, we find robust evidence suggesting that a) higher patriotism is associated with higher tax burdens, and b) this relation is stronger for the upper-middle range of the income distribution. ; Die individuelle Entscheidung, dauerhaft im Ausland zu leben, wird sowohl von finanziellen als auch von nicht-monetären Aspekten beeinflusst. Patriotismus (Heimatbindung) ist einer dieser nicht-monetären Faktoren, der zwischen den Ländern aber auch innerhalb eines Landes variiert. Ausgehend davon analysieren wir zunächst theoretisch die Auswirkungen von Patriotismus auf den Steuerwettbewerb zwischen zwei Ländern. In der ersten Stufe des Spieles entscheiden die Individuen, ob sie auswandern oder nicht und in der zweiten Stufe erheben die Länder vom hoch-produktiven Anteil der Bevölkerung (unabhängig vom Ursprung der Individuen) Steuern zur Umverteilung. Wenn die ursprüngliche Bevölkerung (vor Migrationsbewegungen) in Land A im Durchschnitt heimatverbundener als die in Land B ist, reagiert sie weniger elastisch auf den Steuersatz. Im Gleichgewicht führt daher höherer (durchschnittlicher) Patriotismus zu höheren Steuersätzen. Im zweiten Teil überprüfen wir diese Hypothese empirisch, indem wir ISSP-Surveydaten und OECDSteuerdaten zusammenführen. Im Ländervergleich besteht für gleiche relative Einkommen ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen Patriotismus und Steuerbelastung.
Gefahrenvorstellungen spielen seit jeher eine zentrale Rolle in der Außenpolitik. Dieser Band geht der Bedeutung der Angst für außenpolitische Entscheidungsprozesse anhand von ausgewählten Fallbeispielen in der Neuzeit nach. Nach theoretischen Vorüberlegungen differenziert der erste Themenkomplex die verschiedenen mit Angst verbundenen Emotionen, anschließend steht die Angst als Perzeptionsfaktor im Fokus. Die Instrumentalisierung von Angst wird ebenso in den Blick genommen wie die Angst der Regierenden vor der Angst der Regierten. Abgeschlossen wird der Band durch zwei historische Längsschnitte: Hier werden Angstmotive in den Blick genommen, deren Wirkung sich über mehrere Jahrhunderte erstreckte. Mit seinen vielseitigen Perspektiven gibt der Sammelband neue Impulse für die Untersuchung von Entscheidungsprozessen in den Internationalen Beziehungen und hebt die Notwendigkeit der historischen Analyse von emotionalen Faktoren hervor.
The thrust of this Paper is to analyse the transformation of international custom construction and creation from the model of state practice supported by opinio iuris to a new concept reflected in the judicial decision of the international criminal tribunals, with the main emphasis being on the case law of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The following questions are examined in analysing the interpretation, application, and in some instances, also the creation of customary international norms: from which sources do the judges look for evidence of customary international law? Is the requisite of actual state practice diminishing? What is the significance of international treaties, reports of international committees, and international case-law as sources of custom? Does the case law of the tribunals show that the role of the judge is more prevalent than traditionally in the formation of customary international law, at least in the area of international criminal law? The first part of the paper offers an analysis of customary law in the International Military Tribunal of Nuremberg, which, along with many post-Second World War legal instruments, case law, and academic commentary, has contributed to and clarified the content of customary norms in international criminal law. The second part reviews the decisions of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in relation to the concept, formation, and context of customary norms. In addition, the aim is to examine if the approach of the Tribunal on the construction of customary norms has changed during its period of functioning. The role of the judge in construction and in some instances, creation of customary international norms is discussed with references to the judicial decisions of the Yugoslavia Tribunal. I conclude that the dynamic approach adopted by judges in the construction of customary law in some cases of the Yugoslavia Tribunal is not unprecedented in the decisions of international courts. The third part discusses the problem of conflicting norms that may arise in the application and construction of customary criminal norms in international criminal tribunals. First, I conduct a limited conceptual and historical analysis of the principles of legality, the nullum crimen sine lege and the nulla poena sine lege principles, and I attempt to answer the substantive issues: how can the principles of legality be retained in the application of customary international norms by the international judge, and whether the progressive formation of custom (moving away from the requirement of 'constant and uniform state practice' supported by opinio iuris) destabilises legal certainty, which should be especially endorsed when an individual's (here meaning the accused) freedom is at issue? The final dilemma in relation to conflicting norms is that of deducing international criminal norms that give rise to individual criminal responsibility directly from treaties that were intended to be applied between the state parties. I conclude this paper by stating that the judges not only interpret, but also have an impact on the formation of customary international law because their decisions can be seen as evidence of (international) practice or as a reflection of opinio juris. Finally, this paper shows that there is a definite need for greater consistency in the formation of customary international norms in international criminal tribunals.
Potential synergies between international trade and tourism are viewed optimistically by governments, yet research to assess their association is limited. To gain an understanding of trade and tourism relationships, this paper reports on a study which examines both product-related and tourism-related place image effects on consumer behavior simultaneously. Using the U.S. as the country of focus, key product and travel relationships are measured by structural equation modeling of consumer data from South Korea. Findings support the cross-over effect between one's beliefs about a country as a destination and as a producer, and one's willingness to travel to it and/or buy its products, and most strongly, that product beliefs affect views of travel destinations.
L'auteur examine la manière dont la biodiversité est désormais inscrite à l'ordre du jour des organisations internationales, y compris les organisations non gouvernementales, et des programmes internationaux. La biodiversité est couverte par la Convention sur la diversité biologique, mais elle fait aussi l'objet de discussions plus larges qui ont trait aux ressources génétiques, aux points sensibles de la biodiversité et aux services fournis par les écosystèmes. L'auteur recense les principales institutions, organisations, conventions et programmes internationaux qui traitent spécifiquement de la biodiversité, de l'environnement ou des services fournis par les écosystèmes. Plus récemment, l'" approche écosystémique " a radicalement transformé la perception de la biodiversité, en mettant l'accent sur les services rendus par celle-ci. Pour conclure, l'auteur souligne l'impérieuse nécessité de mettre au point des indicateurs des services fournis par les écosystèmes, qui représentent des avantages pour l'être humain et pour les sociétés en général.
Non-profit organizations are increasingly subjected to the forces of globalization. Although this should not come as a surprise, it is curious to note that the taxation of international philanthropy is an area where discrimination as to residence is still very obvious. Whereas domestic philanthropic flows of money enjoy substantial tax privileges throughout the democratic western world, these privileges often do not apply in situations where borders are crossed. In recent years the importance of support from charities and social investments has increased substantially, but cross-border philanthropy still remains hampered by numerous tax issues. By comparing the relevant legal and tax systems in selected countries, and by taking into account other legal developments relevant to international philanthropy, the author attempts to find a common approach to solve the tax obstacles of international philanthropy. The book begins by defining the scope of the study including the concept of 'landlock', political philosophies substantiating tax relief for philanthropic organizations and an analysis of bilateral treaties. This is followed by a comprehensive and comparative overview of the approach taken in three legal and tax systems regarding international philanthropy, i.e. Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. The work also examines whether EU law allows states (within and without the EU) to maintain 'landlocked' tax positions and, if so, under what type of conditions this may be permitted. Finally, the book concludes with a proposal of a new paradigm of non-discriminating treatment of philanthropy by examining ways to abolish landlocks.
The aim of this thesis is to analyse international financial integration. Chapter 2 investigates the determinants of international financial integration. Variables including the capital control policy dummy variable, openness to international trade, domestic credit and economic growth are candidates for explaining variation in the degree of international financial integration. Chapter 3 analyses cointegration between the US and several European Union equity markets. Between 1993 and 1998, there is mixed evidence of cointegration ties with the US equity market. Over the period covering the introduction of the euro, most of the European markets did not show any evidence of cointegration with the US market. Granger causality tests reveal significant causality running from the US to the European markets. Chapter 4 estimates time series of market and idiosyncratic volatilities for the firms composing the index DJ Eurostoxx 50 following the volatility decomposition method of Campbell et al. (2001). There was a positive trend in both market and firm-level volatility and average correlation among firms has increased. This contrasts with the US evidence in Campbell et al. (2001) of a strong positive trend in firm-level volatility, no trend in market volatility and a decrease in the average correlation. Results confirm a statistically significant market risk-return trade-off and that firm-level volatility has no predictive power for subsequent market returns. Chapter 5 analyses the link between FDI and economic growth using panel data. FDI has a stronger positive impact on economic growth in countries with higher levels of education attainment, those that are more open to international trade, have better stock market development and lower rates of population growth and levels of risk. Chapter 6 investigates the determinants of the home bias. Results indicate that capital controls and transaction costs are factors driving the home bias of Australian equity portfolio investment. The home bias lessens if the bilateral trade ...
Includes bibliographical references (p. 303-320) and index. ; Conflict and crisis: concepts and overview findings on earthquakes I -- Protracted conflict-crisis model and findings on earthquakes II -- Crisis escalation to war: concepts, model, and findings on earthquakes III -- Crisis severity and impact: concepts and model -- Crisis intensity and fallout: findings on earthquakes IV -- Structure and stability: concepts and model -- Findings on the polarity-stability nexus -- Ethiopian (Abyssinian) War 1934-36, multipolarity, Africa -- Berlin Blockade 1948-49, bipolarity, Europe -- Bangladesh 1971, bipolycentrism, Asia -- Gulf War I 1990-91, unipolycentrism, Middle East -- Coping/crisis management: findings on earthquakes V -- What have we learned? ; Mode of access: Internet.
Metadata only record ; Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works all over the world. The mission of this organization is "to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources". Winrock mainly focuses on three areas. The first is empowerment and civic engagement, which includes civil society strengthening, women's empowerment, and youth leadership & education. The second focus area is enterprise and agriculture. This area includes agriculture, Wallace Center at Winrock International, U.S. programs and volunteer assistance. The last area of focus is environment, forestry, energy, & ecosystem services. This area covers a broad range of programs and services such as clean energy, ecosystem services, and forestry & natural resource management. The funding partners include domestic and international nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, private foundations, individuals, corporations, and educational institutions.
For Member States of the European Union, participation in this supranational organization has increased the number of diffi culties in the international arena. Occasionally, the expanding legislative activity of the European institutions reaches out beyond the borders of the European legal system and incidentally affects the EU Member States ' autonomous relations with third parties. Consequently the EU and its members, often with success, seek third parties ' consent to exceptional treatment. Because of their number and significance, such derogations have inspired this article to inquire into their expansion and legal status under international law. Even though the EU-related exceptions have not created an international customary rule, the article observes that European integration shapes international rules in diverse fi elds and adjusts them to its needs. Since European integration is designed to administerand regulate an increasing number of issues, the autonomous international obligations of the EU Member States may become an obstacle. Because the European Union is likely to continue using special treatment in the future, it is important to assess how far the supranational exception can go in order to accommodate all interests at stake.
This entry considers the history of INGOs in the last two centuries and suggests possible venues for future research. ; Cette entrée revient sur l'histoire des organisations internationales non gouvernementales au cours des deux derniers siècles et propose quelques pistes de recherche.
This entry considers the history of INGOs in the last two centuries and suggests possible venues for future research. ; Cette entrée revient sur l'histoire des organisations internationales non gouvernementales au cours des deux derniers siècles et propose quelques pistes de recherche.
