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Until the dramatic economic collapse of 1997, East Asia was the symbol of a successful market-led development strategy for Western governments, aid agencies and academics, despite underlying concerns about a lack of rights and freedoms. The crisis changed Asia and the world; currency depreciations, personal and state indebtedness, mass unemployment and rioting brought the paternalistic capitalist phase to an end in Asia. The decade following the economic crisis has seen a swift response, with the major restructuring of Asian economies, improved corporate governance, banks recapitalized, mor.

Most Muslims now live in democracies—a fact that is rarely acknowledged. The Muslim world has also elected five women heads of state in the past decade. These two indicators are symbolic of the diversity within the Muslim world, and also of the direction in which that world is headed.Few Muslims wish to be classified in a category that would prevent them from participating in the benefits of modernity. The pull of mass education, commerce, trade, and engagement with the world is strong. But these possibilities are openings that radical Islam is attempting to close off, which has led to an ideological civil war within Islam. In country after country, the middle class, the elite, and most of the poor are frightened by an austere version of theocratic Islam that has managed to gain political leverage. In order to sustain modern governments and access to the world in which they want to be active contributors, Muslims need an alliance with the West—not a confrontation.

Noman explores the idea of an alliance between Muslims & the West & argues that such an alliance is necessary to sustain modern government & access to the world. He sees that the most visible aspect of the relationship between the West & the Muslim world has been conflict & confrontation. To shift this focus, the US must support democratic Muslim countries & laud socioeconomic change. Change in education is also necessary. It is concluded that an alliance should rest on a broad, long-term coalition that combines political, socioeconomic, & military responses. J. Backman

Pakistan's dysfunctional social structure has prevented the institutionalization of viable economic policy. This chapter looks at the effects of continual conflict, shadow privatization, & the distortion of ideologies to illustrate the obstacles that inhibit economic development. The chapter also examines Pakistan's economy & its position in the international environment. The country's recent economic situation is reviewed, & a scenario is presented in which Pakistan's civil society could prosper. The chapter also looks at international relations, the causes for Pakistan's economic deterioration, & the problems associated with the rise of civil (or "uncivil") society in Pakistan. K. Larsen

Pakistan's dysfunctional social structure has prevented the institutionalization of viable economic policy. This chapter looks at the effects of continual conflict, shadow privatization, & the distortion of ideologies to illustrate the obstacles that inhibit economic development. The chapter also examines Pakistan's economy & its position in the international environment. The country's recent economic situation is reviewed, & a scenario is presented in which Pakistan's civil society could prosper. The chapter also looks at international relations, the causes for Pakistan's economic deterioration, & the problems associated with the rise of civil (or "uncivil") society in Pakistan. K. Larsen

AbstractRecent progress in the formulation and implementation of a National Conservation Strategy is reviewed in this paper and contrasted with the submission to the UNCED summit.