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Singapore Changes Guard: Social, Political and Economic Directions in the 1990s (Studies on Contemporary Asia)
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0312096879 |
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Economic Growth in the 1990s: Learning from a Decade of Reform (Lessons from Experience) (Lessons from Experience) (Lessons from Experience)
Manufacturer: World Bank Publications ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0821360434 |
Book Description
This book is part of a larger effort undertaken by the World Bank to understand the development experience of the 1990s, an extraordinary eventful decade. Each of the project¡¦s three volumes serves a different purpose. Development Challenges in the 1990s: Leading Policymakers Speak from Experience offers insights on the practical concerns faced by policymakers, while At the Frontlines of Development: Reflections from the World Bank considers the operational implications of the decade for the World Bank as an institution. This volume, Economic Growth in the 1990s: Learning from a Decade of Reform, provides comprehensive analysis of the decade¡¦s development experience and examines the impact of key policy and institutional reforms of growth.Economic Growth in the 1990s confirms and builds on the conclusions of an earlier World Bank book, The East Asian Miracle (1993), which reviewed experiences of highly successful East Asian economies. It confirms the importance of growth of fundamental principles: macro stability, market forces governing the allocation of resources, openness, and the sharing of the benefits of growth. At the same time, it echoes the finding that these principles translate into diverse policy and institutional paths, implying the economic policies and policy advice must be country-specific and institutional-sensitive if they are to be effective.
The authors examine the impact of growth of key policy and institutional reforms: macroeconomic stabilization, trade liberalization, deregulation of finance, privatization, deregulation of utilities, modernization of the public sector with a view to increasing its effectiveness and accountability, and the spread of democracy and decentralization. They draw lessons both from a policy and institutional perspective and from the perspective of country experiences about how reforms in each policy and institutional area have affected growth.
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"This book is part of a larger effort undertaken by the World Bank to understand the development experience of the 1990s, an extraordinary eventful decade. Each of the project's three volumes serves a different purpose. Development Challenges in the 1990s: Leading Policymakers Speak from Experience offers insights on the practical concerns faced by policymakers, while At the Frontlines of Development: Reflections from the World Bank considers the operational implications of the decade for the World Bank as an institution. This volume, Economic Growth in the 1990s: Learning from a Decade of Reform, provides comprehensive analysis of the decade's development experience and examines the impact of key policy and institutional reforms of growth. Economic Growth in the 1990s confirms and builds on the conclusions of an earlier World Bank book, The East Asian Miracle (1993), which reviewed experiences of highly successful East Asian economies. It confirms the importance of growth of fundamental principles: macro stability, market forces governing the allocation of resources, openness, and the sharing of the benefits of growth. At the same time, it echoes the finding that these principles translate into diverse policy and institutional paths, implying the economic policies and policy advice must be country-specific and institutional-sensitive if they are to be effective. The authors examine the impact of growth of key policy and institutional reforms: macroeconomic stabilization, trade liberalization, deregulation of finance, privatization, deregulation of utilities, modernization of the public sector with a view to increasing its effectiveness and accountability, and the spread of democracy and decentralization. They draw lessons both from a policy and institutional perspective and from the perspective of country experiences about how reforms in each policy and institutional area have affected growth."
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A New Birth of Freedom: A Vision for America
Steve Forbes Manufacturer: Regnery Publishing, Inc. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0895263203 |
Amazon.com
Two-time presidential candidate Steve Forbes lays out his political vision in A New Birth of Freedom. Readers won't become very familiar with Forbes the man, but they will definitely get to know what Forbes thinks about the issues of the day. "Less government and more freedom" is the principle underlying most of his ideas, whether they involve the flat tax, health care, or Social Security. The book is detailed, but not overly so, and avoids becoming a mere laundry list of policy choices. Libertarians will be drawn to his economic ideas, and social conservatives will appreciate his chapter on "the moral basis of a free society." Forbes puts many of his best applause lines from speeches on these pages, but they will sound fresh and bold to those who haven't heard them before: "We can't tinker with this tax code monstrosity or try to reform it around the edges. The only thing we can do with this hideous beast is kill it, drive a stake through its heart, bury it, and hope that it never rises again to terrorize the American people." Forbes also takes a subtle swipe at Texas governor George W. Bush, his main competition for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000: "I come from a family of entrepreneurs and risk-takers--of tax-payers, not tax-raisers," he writes, hoping Republican primary voters will remember that his father, George Bush, broke his "no new taxes" pledge when he was president. If they do and pick Forbes, this book provides a good look at what to expect from the Forbes administration. --John J. MillerBook Description
America today has the potential for the greatest economic boom and spiritual renewal in our history. Presidential candidate and publishing magnate Steve Forbes shows how we can once again brighten economic prospects for everyone, reform our corrupt political institutions, and restore the severely weakened moral foundations of our country.Customer Reviews:
Steve Forbes accentuates the beauty of conservatism.......2004-02-02
We Need Steve Forbes' America.......2002-05-11
Mr. Forbes nails almost everything in this book. From foreign policy to the morals of our youth, we are in need of total reform. We are on the wrong course and this book can act like the compass we need to guide us back.
The book does read a little like a political rally speech but Mr. Forbes speaks the truth. Read it as a handbook to a new America, the old America that we once new.
Read Forbes' 200-page platform?.......2002-03-14
I agree with most of Forbes' platform. In fact, initially I was dead set against a flat tax but Forbes' presentation actually got me thinking about the possibility. He is very good at explaining the simplicity of the tax, and it is quite compelling in that regard. Of course, multi-millionaires like Forbes would be the ones getting the biggest cuts.
In any event, this book is totally unnecessary. Forbes should have typed up a little brochure and spent his money on publicizing that instead of the book. The format of each chapter is quite consistent -- Forbes presents pages upon pages of background information to an issue, and then outlines his opinion/ideas. This makes for a slow (and often dull) read, as the introductory material is generic and most readers are probably aware of what Forbes outlines. This 200-page platform could definitely be edited down to a 20-page brochure.
I only recommend this book to the biggest Forbes' enthusiasts. My favorite part of the book did not even come from Steve Forbes, rather in a quote on success from his grandfather B.C. Forbes.
"Business was originated to produce happiness, not to pile up millions. Are we in danger of forgetting this? Too often in talking with so-called "successful" men I cannot but feel that they are making business an end and an aim in itself, that they regard the multiplying of their millions and the extension of their works as the be-all and end-all of life, life itself. ...They are so obsessed with the material that they cannot enjoy the immaterial, the intangible, the ideal, the spiritual -- quiet thought, self-communion, reflection, poise, inward happiness, domestic felicity..."
Excellent Insight on American Politics.......2001-08-25
A valuable read, beats the 2000 presidential debates........2000-10-21
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Between Hope and History
William Jefferson Clinton Manufacturer: RANDOM HOUSE ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0812929136 Release Date: 1996-09-01 |
Amazon.com
President Clinton offers his vision for the country as we enter the twenty-first century. The president sees the nation poised on the edge of what he calls "the age of possibility." With eloquence and clarity, he details the broad values of opportunity, responsibility, and community that he regards as critical to helping America meet its challenges in the years ahead. He also discusses the experience of his presidency - mistakes made, lessons learned, and unprecedented successes - and his plan to lead America into the next millennium.Book Description
Between Hope and History is the President's articulation of his political philosophy - a philosophy that underpins all his policies and programs as America enters the twenty-first century.Customer Reviews:
Good book!!.......2004-06-25
A synthesis and distellation of bill clinton's thought.......2002-02-20
it is written in his smooth style and is an easy read. I don't think he used any speech writers with this book. I really felt his passion of his convictions here. I hope he can keep busy now he is out of office.
he uses some form of the word "is" 104 times in the book, soIguess he now kwos what the word means.
This [...] used copy will be a collector's item!.......2001-08-08
[....]
inspiring.......2001-07-21
Good summary of Clinton goals and speeches.......2000-07-22
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America: What Went Wrong?
Donald L. Barlett , and James B. Steele Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0836270010 |
Customer Reviews:
Security loss.......2007-02-24
Required reading.......2006-10-08
A worthless political diatribe.......2004-10-16
EYE OPENER.......2004-01-23
Outstanding, Still Highly Relevant, Accurate Predictor.......2002-11-09
"America: What Went Wrong" is just as important and relevant today as it was when initally released. America's overall economic situation is much worse today than it was when this book was initially published. This book accurately forecasts the problems America has as it loses its manufacturing base and became a service-oriented society (Wal-Mart supposedly has 700 Chinese factories of its own). Now the multi-national's factories are fleeing Mexico in 2002 for the slave-like workers of China.Unsettling for sure, I challenge you to read this book and don't be surprised if you re-read parts of it as the late 1990s Clinton/Greenspan artificial economic bubble unwinds into a 1930s style worldwide economic depression.
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After the Revolutions: East-West Trade and Technology Transfer in the 1990s
Gary K. Bertsch , and Heinrich Vogel Manufacturer: Westview Pr (Short Disc) ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 0813382785 |
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Agricultural Policy Reform: Politics and Process in the Eu and Us 1990s (Global Environmental Governance)
H. Wayne Moyer , Wayne H. Moyer , and Timothy Edward Josling Manufacturer: Ashgate Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0754630501 |
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America in the World Economy: A Strategy for the 1990s
C. Fred Bergsten Manufacturer: Institute for International Economics,U.S. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 088132082X |
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An American Trade Strategy: Options for the 1990s
Charles L. Schultze , and Robert Z. Lawrence Manufacturer: Brookings Institution Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 081575180X |
Customer Reviews:
Review of "An American Trade Strategy".......2000-11-13
Lawrence and Schultze, in assessing the different arguments and proposals put forth in regards to the aforementioned central issue of the book, first evaluate the two chief objectives -- improvement in the terms of trade and strategic industrial policy -- and then turn their attention to the various means suggested for their attainment.
Traditional economic analysis suggests that free trade is the best approach to raise global welfare. Given the importance of the US in the global economy, this country's actions are likely to have systemic repercussions. Protectionist policies by the US might prompt other nations into taking defensive and retaliatory actions.
As long as other countries help companies that produce goods America imports, the US gains. But if countries subsidize their exports to third markets or protect domestic firms against US exports, they can lower US living standards.
On the other hand, Dornbusch believes that the informal, mainly nongovernmental, barriers to imports into Japan have biased the terms of trade against the US. He claims that the negotiation of free trade areas with other US trading partners might put pressure on Japan to agree to trade concessions in the form of increasing its imports of US goods. Dornbusch is not explicitly concerned about the specific composition of US exports. Therefore, when he proposes the negotiation of numerical goals for the expansion of imports into Japan, he envisages an aggregate target for manufactured goods.
Tyson contends that some industries are more important than others. She voices two concerns: that market forces left to their own devices will not channel enough resources into the critical high-technology industries, and that the trade and industrial policies of other countries will drive US producers out of these key sectors and thus lower US living standards.
According to Tyson, there are three principal kinds of departures from the scenario of efficiently functioning markets that make some industries ''more equal than others'' and that warrant interventionist policies. One, because of the nature of their products and production processes, some markets are necessarily imperfectly competitive and can generate, for a limited number of firms in the world market, surplus profits (rents) -- profits higher than the necessary to induce investment in the sector. If a country can somehow secure a place for its firms in such markets, it can earn rents -- its capital investments would make more than could be earned in other uses. Two, some industries pay workers surplus (premium) wages, more than their experience and skills could earn elsewhere in the economy. Expansion of those industries will increase real wages and living standards. Three, the production of certain goods creates ripple benefits for the rest of the economy, that is, the benefits to the economy from the production of the goods in question are greater than the revenues earned by the producers.
In recent years the analysis of trade has moved to take into account the widespread reality of imperfect competition. The new trade theories suggest that in imperfectly competitive situations a country may be able to use government intervention to enrich itself at the expense of other nations.
However, the circumstances under which these monopoly-promoting policies might pay off are difficult to detect in practice. They depend on the behavioral features in the market, the degree to which other countries retaliate and the supply response of other firms to the government intervention. Moreover, the government must know the full consequences in the industries from which the resources are drawn. Redirecting scarce resources into a particular sector could produce losses elsewhere in the economy that outweigh the gains in the sector being promoted.
Since the ability of economists to estimate demand and costs' curves with precision is very low, to predict the response of other firms to the market changes induced by government intervention is lower still and to calculate the general equilibrium effects from the drawdown of resources elsewhere in the economy is virtually nil, there is slim chance that the government could know in advance whether any particular policy of subsidy or protection will add to or substract from national income.
Some have advocated using trade policies to enhance employment in sectors with premium wages. If what appear to be rents are in fact payments for skills, abilities or other characteristics of jobs, a governmental policy that subsidized the expansion of these industries could have damaging consequences, for instance, a regresive distributional impact.
The view that some industries provide productivity-enhancing spillover effects to the rest of the US economy lies at the heart of the arguments of many proponents of policies for managed trade. One unresolved problem is how are these industries going to be identified and favored.
Although published ten years ago, this book addresses issues that are still current. Trade policy is a topic that is likely to surface in every presidential and congressional election for years to come. In addition, there are sufficient theoretical concepts thrown around in this tome to make it a good read.
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Asian NIEs and the Global Economy: Industrial Restructuring and Corporate Strategy in the 1990s
Gordon L. Clark , and Won Bae Kim Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 080185105X |
Book Description
Industrial restructuring in the Asian newly industrialized economies (NIEs) has become very important. Existing strategies may no longer deliver employment or income growth in many of the Asian NIE's labor-intensive industries. The complex process of restructuring will involve economic adjustment and political realignment among industrial sectors and between industry managers and state policy makers. Asian NIEs and the Global Economy explains how the Asian NIEs have responded to the costs of success, including escalating real wages and prices, slowing growth rates of productivity, and increasing competition in markets they once dominated.
This integrated collection of ten essays -- based on a long-term porject sponsored by the East-West Center -- introduces the reader to this timely issue by examining industrial restructuring in the most industrialized economies of East Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan. The contributors begin by describing the global context, theory, and practice of restructuring. Five case studies then examine important labor intensive industries, including apparel, footwear, and electronics, all of which have had strong export markets. The final section draws out the broad implications of these studies and assesses the near-term future of the Asian NIEs as China undergoes rapid industrialization and enters the global marketplace. Contributors to the volume are Gordon L. Clark, Won Bae Kim, Michael Webber, Stephen Chiu, Tai-lok Lui, K. C. Ho, Sam Ock Park, Jung Duk Lim, and Ching-lung Tsay.
"Asian NIEs and the Global Economy provides a fine comparative analysis of restructuring in the Asian NIEs, focusing on firm-level strategies based on surveys of shared questions -- an important but understudied topic. The book will be of interest to specialists and students in international business, political economy, economics, international relations, and political science." -- Eun Mee Kim, University of Southern California
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