Suchergebnisse

The purpose of this essay is to analyze the impact of foreign trade upon the state and civil society in the first decades of Mexican independence. It will focus both on socioeconomic and political aspects of that impact. First, it examines the foreign trade at the end of the colonial period and the first decades of independence by reviewing available data. Second, it gives a brief description of some of the most outstanding consequences of this trade in respect to distribution of the imported goods, and unemployment related to the overflow of foreign products, especially textiles. Third, the essay outlines two types of state reaction: a more defensive reaction, pointing out certain aspects of fiscal and customs policy concerning foreign trade (protective tariffs); and a more offensive reaction by the state which promoted industrialization in order to become more independent from imports. This last aspect of industrialization, however, is discussed only in terms of foreign contribution (import of machinery, skilled workers/technicians, investment of "foreign" capital) to the process of modernization. Finally, the essay concludes by trying to provide an answer to the question of why the early attempts at industrialization failed.

Recent trends in Mexican foreign policy are reviewed, identifying eight key characteristics: (1) the supremacy of the president in the foreign policy decision-making process; (2) the existence of a dual policy; (3) the intensification of a pragmatic foreign policy; (4) the emphasis on an economic-oriented foreign policy; (5) the increasing role of the US in the policy formulation process; (6) the supremacy of the external arena; (7) the lack of adequate bargaining power, & (8) the loss of the traditional direction on foreign policy that emanated after the Mexican Revolution. Adapted from the source document.

A thorough overview of the foreign policy conducted by the government of Flanders which was granted the status of autonomous region in the 1993 reform of the Belgian state. Discussed are: (1) the principles of equality in domestic & foreign policy promulgation & the parity of federal & regional governments encoded in the 1993 law, (2) the strategic objectives of the Flemish foreign policy, (3) the continuity/discontinuity in the Flemish foreign policy of the 1990s, (4) the basic components of the Flemish foreign policy, & (6) the description & evaluation of bilateral & multilateral policies carried out by the Flemish government since 1993. The nine criteria applied in deciding toward which countries & regions of the world should the Flemish foreign policy be oriented are listed, & representation offices abroad & bilateral agreements & contracts are tabulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Flemish government on the international arena. Multilateral policies pursued within international organizations are discussed & evaluated for their relevance & impact on the region of Flanders, the Belgian federation, & the organizations within which such policies are carried out. An assessment of the Flemish government's accomplishments in its foreign policies identifies both pioneering initiatives & missed opportunities. Foreign policy challenges in the near future for both the regional & federal governments are identified. 42 References. Z. Dubiel

Presents major foreign policy-related events in Mexico, Sept-Dec 2002. Adapted from the source document.

The purpose of the paper is to define Russia's current foreign policy trend by going through its role in the structure of the post-Cold War international system. Over a domestic situation analysis & an evaluation on foreign policy, the author points out the challenges faced by the country after the USSR fall, & mentions the policies adopted to overcome some critical situations. The main hypothesis is that there is a clear tendency on Moscow's foreign policy, with well-defined objectives, approved by its people, who are looking for a decisive role in a multipolar world. The article plans the changes derived from a new approach in Russia's foreign policy. Finally, it deals with some cases in order to examine the recent course of Russian foreign policy & its strategies, & proposes some perspectives based on the situation prior to September 11th. Adapted from the source document.

This essay has two main goals. The first one is an analysis of the connection between the formulation of Canada's foreign policy & the reiterated political will of its government to build a concept of pan-Canadian identity, based on the international promotion of some specific universal values. The second goal is to examine, from those elements substantial to the formulation of such foreign policy, how the discourse of the otherness is used for the building of a conceptual referent of national unity. 4 Tables, 61 References. Adapted from the source document.

Discusses the posture taken by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in using foreign policy as a means to establish a role for Russia as an essential actor in the post-Cold War world. This new foreign policy is based on the search of a Russian national interest; however, in order to make it work, Russian national problems must be solved first. In the author's opinion, the key issue in Russian foreign policy is the need for creating stable relations with other states, first of all with the US, because Putin's foreign policy is backed by military potential. The new Russian strategy focuses on the rapprochement with old USSR allies: North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, & Cuba. Also analyzed are factors relevant to the ratification of international treaties on weapon control & special relations between Russia & the US. Adapted from the source document.

This presentation at the conference "Buitenlandse politiek in Belgie" (The Foreign Policy in Belgium), organized by the U of Ghent & the Catholic U of Louvain & held in Ghent, 27 Mar 2002, which occasionally refers to, & comments on, David Criekemans's overview on the same topic delivered at the same venue, discusses the foreign policies formulated & pursued by the Flemish government since the region's autonomy in domestic & foreign affairs was expanded by the 1993 law reforming the Belgian state. After listing the strategical objectives of the Flemish foreign policy making, three areas of special interest into which initiatives were targeted in the 1990s & early 2000s are described: (1) international engagement within the European Union (EU), (2) multilateral relations pursued within international organizations, & (3) bilateral agreements promoting the region's culture, science, technology, & ecological & economic interests. Criekemans's treatment of these topics is mostly supported with new arguments & only occasionally contested with mild criticism or corrected with an alternative viewpoint. Z. Dubiel