SDGs: Technology and Finance—The Means of Implementation
The following is a statement by Executive Director of the South Centre, Martin Khor, to the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals held at the United Nations in New York on 9 December 2013. (more…)
Welcome to the real world
By Humberto Campodónico
It is currently being discussed in the United States if the Export Administration Act (EAA) of 1979, that prohibits crude oil exports, is to remain in force. Why? Because the US is experiencing a sharp increase in the production of shale oil and shale gas (also called “unconventional”). And oil and gas companies want to export their surplus production. First question, how can there be a law in the US that prohibits such an elemental activity as exports? Well, the EAA exists due in large part to the geopolitical problems of the late 1970s, and applies not only to oil. (more…)
A bigger global role for China?
By Martin Khor
China seems to be preparing to play a bigger role in global economic affairs, but not at the cost of giving up its developing country status. After years of being rather low key in economic and social affairs at the United Nations, it looks as if China is now ready to upgrade its role in the future. (more…)
Obstacles to Development in the Global Economic System
I. Obstacles to Development Arising from the International System
As the international community wades into the political discussions regarding the alternatives to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015 and the design of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as mandated by the Rio+20 conference, it is timely to consider the question of whether development is a matter mostly of individual effort on the part of nation-states or whether there are elements in the international economic system that could serve as significant obstacles to national development efforts. (more…)
Statement to the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 24, Washington DC
Weak and uncertain global economic conditions
Before the world economy has been able to fully recover from the crisis that began more than five years ago, there is a widespread fear that we may be poised for yet another crisis, this time in emerging economies. (more…)
Crisis Mismanagement in the United States and Europe: Impact on Developing Countries and Longer-Term Consequences
There are two major failings in policy interventions in the crisis in the US and Europe: the reluctance to remove the debt overhang through timely, orderly and comprehensive restructuring and the shift to fiscal austerity after an initial reflation. These have resulted in excessive reliance on monetary means with central banks entering uncharted policy waters, including zero-bound interest rates and the acquisition of long-term public and private bonds. (more…)
New economic crisis engulfing South countries
By Martin Khor
A new economic crisis is engulfing several developing countries which face sharp currency depreciation and capital outflows. This is caused by the boombust cycles in capital flows originating in profit-seeking investor behaviour in developed countries. (more…)
New Threat to Economic Role of the State
By Martin Khor
The economically successful developing countries are characterised as having a strong “developmental state”. But this role of the state is coming under attack in new global rules being created. Two new trade agreements involving the two economic giants, the United States and European Union, are leading a charge against the role of the state in the economy in developing countries. Attention should be paid to this initiative as it has serious repercussions on the future development plans and prospects of the developing countries. (more…)
WTO’s MC9: Analysis of the Text on the Monitoring Mechanism
The text on the Monitoring Mechanism (JOB/TNC/34) which has been transmitted from Geneva to the Bali Ministerial is extremely disappointing. (more…)
Why the US and Europe Have Not Managed Their Economic Crises Properly
By Yılmaz Akyüz, Chief Economist, South Centre
This is the first in a series of articles by the South Centre’s chief economist on the current global economic situation. This first article analyses why the economic policies of the US and Europe have been inappropriate in getting these major economies out of the crisis. The next few articles provide more details of this. Further articles will deal with how the developing countries’ economies are experiencing the adverse spillover effects of these major economies’ policies.
Winds of change blowing in Asia
By Martin Khor
The APEC and TPPA summits in Bali recently showed the winds of change are blowing in the region, symbolised by the US President’s absence but also reflecting the aptness or otherwise of policies.
No respite, 5 years after Lehman
By Martin Khor
Five years after the Lehman Brothers collapse triggered the global financial crisis, there are still no effective financial regulations in developed countries, while the developing countries face big new challenges.
