Barter, commonly associated with ancient times and micro-level transactions, summons to the mind images of rustic trade routes spanning across Asia, as merchants from the East and traders from the West journey to exchange exotic spices for commodities and metals. What many fail to realize, however, is that barter is far from a phenomenon isolated to the history books. Rather than dying out with the formalization of the world economy and political entities, barter has transformed into a tool practiced on a macro level between large, established companies. Despite being discouraged by entities such as the World Trade Organization, barter … Continue reading
Category Archives: Articles
The Precedence of State Interests and Memory of the “Century of Humiliation” in Shaping Chinese Foreign Policy
With the reemergence of China on the international stage, there has been a heated debate in elite and public circles in the U.S. about an emerging “Beijing Consensus.” While China has been compiling an extraordinary record of achievements, the West has stumbled catastrophically, especially in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007-09. The U.S., in particular, suffered great economic losses and was left stagnant, deeply in debt, and uncertain of its future. Along with recognition of China’s extraordinary economic progress, there is an increasing anxiety about potential Chinese expansionist intentions in East Asia and beyond, as well as … Continue reading
In Search of Territoriale Integriteit and the Société Distincte: A Comparative Study of Separatism in Belgium and Canada and Recommendations for the Exportation of Institutions
Introduction Geographically incomparable – insomuch that one occupies 30,528 square kilometers and the other constitutes the second largest country in the world by total area – yet politically and culturally analogous to the extent that both contain significant French-speaking minorities, the federal parliamentary constitutional monarchies of Belgium and Canada present ideal cases for comparison.[1] [2] Moreover, in both instances, the development of nationalist conflict and separatist movements since the nineteenth century has conformed to the following paradigm of five steps: mutually beneficial accord, cultural-linguistic grievances, risk management via federalization, renewed liability, and potential resolution. With regard to the last step, … Continue reading
On the Brink of Collapse: Fiscal Policy in Post-Revolution Iran
Introduction The Islamic Republic of Iran is currently in the midst of a devastating unemployment crisis. The Iranian government has reported that the current rate of unemployment is approximately 12.5%; however, many economists have predicted the real rate to be roughly 20-25%.[i] Perhaps more troubling, according to the 2009 CIA World Factbook, the unemployment rate for Iranian citizens between the ages of 15 and 24 is rapidly approaching the 30% mark. This is a terrifying number considering the massive size of the youth population in Iran. In this essay it is argued that the persistently high rates of unemployment experienced … Continue reading
Making the World Safe for Democracy: Wilsonianism Revisited
In declaring war on Germany in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson defined the central goal of his vision for American foreign policy by asserting that “the world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.”[i] Wilson ingrained this philosophy, known as Liberal Internationalism, into the psyche of the American public by advocating for the promotion of democracy, economic openness, well-structured multilateral institutions, and American leadership. Although former U.S. presidents had voiced support for the extension of democratic government, it was Wilson who concretely laid out the framework for Liberal Institutionalism, and … Continue reading