Reference Update

August 2009

ECONOMICS AND TRADE

1. "Pacific Asia and the Asia Pacific: The Choices for APEC"
C. Fred Bergsten. Policy Brief 09-16, July 2009, 5 pages.
The author assesses the record of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) over the 20 years of its existence and discusses the global environment in which APEC is likely to be operating over the next 20 years.  The brief focuses on the major change in global institutional arrangements implied by the replacement of the “Group of Seven/Eight” (G-7/8) by the “Group of Twenty” (G-20) as the chief steering committee for the global economy.  The increasingly central role of an informal and de facto “Group of Two” (G-2) between China and the United States is also examined.

2. "Globalization in Retreat"
Roger C. Altman. Foreign Affairs, July/August 2009, 6 pages.
The author examines declines in global trade, capital flows, and immigration, focusing on the lasting effects of the global economic crisis of 2008 and 2009, and geopolitical changes connected with the economic crisis.  The effect of the worldwide recession on developing countries, with particular focus given to the declining levels of investment, financing, and commodity prices is also explored.

3. “Surviving the Slump: A Special Report on Business in America”
Robert Guest, et al. The Economist, May 30, 2009, 13 pages.
In this special report, several renowned journalists offer their insight on the U.S. economic conditions during the recession, the effect of personal finance, and the challenges associated with the regulation of new businesses in the United States.  The potential role of companies outside of the financial services industry in new business development that will accompany economic recovery in the United States is also discussed.

4. “The Financial Markets and Fear Itself”
Holman W. Jenkins Jr. Policy Review, June/July 2009, 11 pages.
The author examines the U.S. subprime mortgage lending phenomenon, focusing on the interconnectedness of national economics and global political culture.  Why risk models and assumptions could have never accurately predicted the drop in home prices is deftly explained and a look at how risk is an inherent element of the market economy is provided.

5. “Vietnam: Country Outlook”
Economist Intelligence Unit, August 5, 2009, 4 pages.
There will be no significant changes in general in 2009-2010, as the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam is almost guaranteed to maintain its firm grip on power. Although the government has taken plaudits for managing the economy in such a way as to prevent a contraction, there are concerns about the potential negative side-effects of its stimulus efforts.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

6. "Asia's Rise"
Minxin Pei. Foreign Policy, July/August 2009, 5 pages.
According to the author, sustained and rapid economic growth in Asia since World War II has undeniably boosted the region's economic output and military capabilities.  Is Asia’s rise unstoppable?  Will Asia lead the world in innovation?  Is the power shifting from West to East?  The author discusses the decline of America and the dawn of a new Asian age.

7. “Crafting Strategy in an Age of Transition”
Shawn Brimley. Parameters, Winter 2008-09, 16 pages.
Rising regional powers, energy scarcity, climate change, and failing states are some of the myriad of variables that will combine to form a daunting set of strategic challenges for the Obama Administration.  The author examines this troubling strategic inheritance and the changing geopolitical context, and proposes a defense strategy that can best protect core American interests in an age of transition.

8. “Spreading Temptation: Proliferation and Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreements”
Matthew Fuhrmann. International Security, Summer 2009, 35 pages.
The author examines the relationship between peaceful nuclear cooperation and the proliferation of nuclear weapons, focusing on whether countries receiving civilian nuclear aid over time are more likely to initiate weapons programs and build nuclear bombs.

9. “The Global War on Terror: A Narrative in Need of a Rewrite”
Amy Zalman and Jonathan Clarke. Ethics & International Affairs, Summer 2009, 15 pages.
The authors discuss how the global war on terror was constructed and how it has set down deep institutional roots both in government and popular culture today.  A look at those who weave this narrative into the nation's identity by assigning it an iconographic status on par with the national myths of manifest destiny and the frontier nation are also provided.

GLOBAL ISSUES

10. "Moving Heaven and Earth"
Graeme Wood. The Atlantic, July/August 2009, 5 pages.
The author examines efforts by scientists to reengineer the climate in order to combat the effects of global warming, focusing on proposed ideas that are both inexpensive and technologically plausible and some of which are so cheap that a rich and committed environmentalist could act on them tomorrow.

11. "Discounting the Future"
Indur M. Goklany. Regulation, Spring 2009, 5 pages.
Would future generations be worse off than we are today if climate change is allowed to occur?  The author attempts to answer this threshold question by comparing current and future welfare per capita after accounting for the costs of climate change.

12. "Plastic. Fantastic?"
Jennifer Kahn. Mother Jones, May/June 2009, 3 pages.
The near infinite proliferation of plastics initially seemed like a boon. Compared with wood or metal, plastic was seen as an infinite material.  Can plastic evolve into something worth keeping?  The author examines the environmental aspects of plastics and the challenges to creating a plastic that is nontoxic, biodegradable, and recyclable.

13. “Projecting Population”
Elizabeth Leahy and Sean Peoples. World Watch, May/June 2009, 7 pages.
Why do population projections remain an important tool for policymakers and planners?  Why do they provide a much clearer projection than in other social sciences?  The authors explore a variety of demographics, as well as data sources and methodologies to gain an deeper understanding of uncertainties around population projections. 

14. "Gates, Google, and the End of Global Poverty"
Michael Edwards. The Brown Journal of World Affairs, Spring/Summer 2009, 8 pages.
With Bill Gates as its foremost promoter, “philanthrocapitalism” has entered the international development realm with a bang.  The author identifies two distinguishing features of philanthrocapitalism that cross different interests and interpretations of the term and examines the difficulty of linking some philanthrocapitalism successes to the social and political institutions that underpin national development.

MEDIA, COMMUNICATION, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

15. "Last Stand"
Michael Hirschorn. The Atlantic, July/August 2009, 3 pages.
With the emergence of easily accessible news online and via cable television, news magazines are being severely challenged.  The author take a look at the success of the periodical "The Economist," while comparing it to other formerly popular periodicals, such as "Newsweek" and "Time" magazine, which are faltering and forced to experiment with new business models.

16. "The Twitter Explosion"
Paul Farhi. American Journalism Review, June/July 2009, 6 pages.
Twitter, a micro-blogging tool on which users share text messages of 140 characters or less, has become useful to mass media news organizations as a means of responding to breaking news, as communication can be instantaneous with a large number of sources.  The author discusses the use of the online social network Twitter in today’s world of journalism.

17. “Exploiting Synergies”
Terence K. Huwe. Online, March/April 2009, 6 pages.
The author explores the experiences of the University of California, Berkeley's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Library (IRLE) in digital repository building, then discusses various issues concerning digital repositories and online information resources.

18. “Taking Your Library on the Road”
Lorette S.J. Weldon. Computers in Libraries, May 2009, 4 pages.
The author discusses the use of an electronic library assistant using free Google modules that will allow for 24-hour availability of library collections, as well as the ability to conduct online sharing and discussions at specific time periods.

U.S. POLITICS, SOCIETY AND VALUES

19. “Speak Easy”
Barbara Hoffert. Library Journal, July 2009, 4 pages.
How can we use technology to help teach second languages to people and how can libraries be more involved?  The author explains how one learns to speak a language, while also looking at tools that can be used by libraries to assist people in learning a second language.

20. "Learning Across Distance"
Kristina Cowan. The Education Digest, May 2009, 5 pages.
Virtual-instruction programs are growing rapidly, but the impact on "brick-and-mortar" classrooms is still up in the air.  The author, a researcher at Sloan Work and Family Research Network at Boston College, discusses the expansion of virtual education programs, increases in online enrollment, the effectiveness of online classes, and the relationship of online learning and individualized instruction.

21. “The Principal in the Teaching and Learning Process”
Marlow Ediger. Education, Summer 2009, 5 pages.
The author, a renowned education expert, examines the role of the school principal in teaching and learning, particularly in relation to the development and improvement of school curricula.  Grouping students, selection of learning activities, and integration of technology into the curriculum are also discussed.

22. “Religious Pluralism: Civil Society's Hope in a Diverse Country”
Eboo Patel and Becca Hartman. National Civic Review, Spring 2009, 6 pages.
The authors present their insights into the American dream and religious diversity in United States.  The implication of the Immigration Act of 1965 to religious diversity in the United States and the achievement of religious pluralism is also examined.

23. “Reflections on Information Technology and Democracy”
Joshua Cohen. Boston Review, March/April 2009, 3 pages.
While elections and other institutions of accountability are essential to democracy, their efficacy arguably depends on a complicated, dispersed, ongoing, relatively unstructured public discussion.  How does the Internet shape this informal process of discussion–public discourse?  The author examines the way in which the Internet is changing democratic discourse and the impact of information technology on the society.

24. "Hillary's Challenge"
Michelle Goldberg. The American Prospect, July/August 2009, 4 pages.
Promoting women’s rights internationally requires an extraordinary balance of strength and delicacy.  The author examines the challenges facing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her attempt to advance women's rights in the foreign policy arena.  Thoughts on what Secretary Clinton should do to overcome the real obstacles, particularly with a State Department culture that is not accustomed to paying much attention to women’s rights, is explored.

25. "Charm Offensive"
Dayo Olopade. The American Prospect, July/August 2009, 4 pages.
The author examines the diplomatic strategy of the Obama administration in managing the expectations of his political base.  Some of the proposed initiatives are explored, including changing the name of the Office of Public Liaison to the Office of Public Engagement, staying connected with supporters outside Washington, and holding of summits to discuss various issues.

TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS

The following documents are testimonies in a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to examine China’s role in maritime territorial disputes in Asia and the degree to which sovereignty issues are impacting the region and U.S. interests. These documents are available on the Internet at:
http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/senate_hearing_071509.html (English)

http://vietnamese.vietnam.usembassy.gov/sn_hearing_170809.html (Vietnamese).

26. Opening Remarks of Senator Jim Webb
3 pages.

27. The Honorable Scot Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and ASEAN Affairs, Department of State
4 pages.

28. Robert Scher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Department of Defense
4 pages.

29. Peter Dutton, Associate Professor of Strategic Studies, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College
9 pages.

30. Daniel Blumenthal, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
8 pages.

31. Richard Cronin, Senior Associate, The Henry L. Stimson Center
7 pages.