Sumary
Question
¿What makes Lebanon such a potentially explosive factor in an unstable region as the Middle East is?
First we must know that Lebanon is the most politically complex and religiously divided country in the Middle East, even people in the Middle East find its politics confusing. Set up by France after World War I as a predominantly Christian state, Lebanon is now about 60% Muslim, 40% Christian.
It has 18 officially recognised religious sects and sharing power between them has always been a complicated game. Lebanese Muslims have tended to look east for support from the other Arab states and from Iran. The Christians have tended to look west to Europe and the United States.
The country's proximity to Israel mean it is also intimately tied to the Arab-Israeli dispute. While Lebanon has plenty of problems of its own, it has also become the arena where many of the region's conflicts and rivalries are played out.
Also is important to know that it has too much Syrian influence, the long conflict which ravaged the country from 1975 until 1990 was both a civil war and a regional war. It left Lebanon firmly under Syria's thumb, and with a southern strip of territory occupied by Israel as a buffer zone.
Lebanese politics have resulted in a succession of wars and atrocities, Israel has repeatedly intervened in Lebanon to protect its northern border. The civil war also drew in Iran to fight Israel and support the Lebanese Shia.
But while Syria no longer has a military presence, it has retained political influence through its relationship with Hezbollah. The government is badly split between anti-Syrian and pro-Syrian factions. The first is a loose alliance of Sunnis, Christians and Druze (a heterodox offshoot of Islam) and enjoys the support of the United States. The second is an essentially Shia grouping dominated by Hezbollah, with the backing of Syria and Iran. Symbolising the polarisation is the fact that the president is pro-Syrian and the prime minister anti-Syrian.
Others see a different but no less worrying possibility, that radical Islamists of the al-Qaeda type now see Lebanon, like other failing states, as attractive terrain in which to establish a foothold.
Bilbiography
PE HALEY, LW SNIDER, MG BANNERMAN. Lebanon in Crisis: Participants and Issues. Syracuse University Press
GH SNYDER. Crisis Bargaining. Council on International Studies
lunes, 3 de noviembre de 2008
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
Sumary
In this topic we saw some issues about the history of Oceania, after this we learn about the characteristics of the population.
After this we analyze some Oceanias countries as the Marshall islands, Micronesia, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, looking in each one the general aspects as the culture, religion, and language.
Question
¿Has Europe too much influence over Australia according to the history?
Some research shows that modern Australia was founded with the influx of European settlers just over two hundred years ago, but the Aborigines inhabited the island continent for tens of thousands of years before that. They numbered a few hundred thousand before the European influx. But two centuries of discrimination and expropriation followed, and at one point the indigenous population fell as low as 60,000.
Australia's politicians at first looked to Europe and the US in foreign policy, but in the past 20 years or so they have made their near neighbours a priority.
Australia has mediated between warring groups in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and deployed thousands of peacekeepers in newly-independent East Timor.
In Australia the strong, services-based economy has seen sustained growth; mining and agriculture provide the lion's share of exports, also Australia is a regional policeman; further afield, its troops are in Iraq and Afghanistan
Is important to know that today, 99% of the population are of European or Asian descent. The government formally apologised in 2008 for the past wrongs committed against the indigenous Aboriginal population. Indigenous Australians suffer high rates of unemployment, imprisonment and drug abuse.
The gradual dismantling of the "White Australia" immigration policy in the decades after World War II heralded an increase in the number of non-European arrivals. Migration continues to shape Australia and is a politically-sensitive issue. The country has taken a tough stance on unauthorised arrivals, but has scrapped a controversial policy of holding asylum seekers in detention centres until their cases are heard.
Bibliography
G HUGO. International migration between the European Union and Australia: patterns and implications. dspace-dev.anu.edu.au
THOMAS RISSE-KAPPEN. Cooperation Among Democracies: The European Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy. Publicado por Princeton University Press, 1997
In this topic we saw some issues about the history of Oceania, after this we learn about the characteristics of the population.
After this we analyze some Oceanias countries as the Marshall islands, Micronesia, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, looking in each one the general aspects as the culture, religion, and language.
Question
¿Has Europe too much influence over Australia according to the history?
Some research shows that modern Australia was founded with the influx of European settlers just over two hundred years ago, but the Aborigines inhabited the island continent for tens of thousands of years before that. They numbered a few hundred thousand before the European influx. But two centuries of discrimination and expropriation followed, and at one point the indigenous population fell as low as 60,000.
Australia's politicians at first looked to Europe and the US in foreign policy, but in the past 20 years or so they have made their near neighbours a priority.
Australia has mediated between warring groups in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and deployed thousands of peacekeepers in newly-independent East Timor.
In Australia the strong, services-based economy has seen sustained growth; mining and agriculture provide the lion's share of exports, also Australia is a regional policeman; further afield, its troops are in Iraq and Afghanistan
Is important to know that today, 99% of the population are of European or Asian descent. The government formally apologised in 2008 for the past wrongs committed against the indigenous Aboriginal population. Indigenous Australians suffer high rates of unemployment, imprisonment and drug abuse.
The gradual dismantling of the "White Australia" immigration policy in the decades after World War II heralded an increase in the number of non-European arrivals. Migration continues to shape Australia and is a politically-sensitive issue. The country has taken a tough stance on unauthorised arrivals, but has scrapped a controversial policy of holding asylum seekers in detention centres until their cases are heard.
Bibliography
G HUGO. International migration between the European Union and Australia: patterns and implications. dspace-dev.anu.edu.au
THOMAS RISSE-KAPPEN. Cooperation Among Democracies: The European Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy. Publicado por Princeton University Press, 1997
LATIN AMERICA
Sumary
The presentation began analysing the general aspects of Latin America, as culture, major countries population, and then they made a comparison between Guatemala and Chile.
Then we saw some isues about Guatemala, the ethic relations, the basic economy, the division of labor and the classes and castes. Also we learn how to do business with them.
Finally we learn from the readings about the ethical evaluations, intentions, and orientations of accountants, from the evidence of a cross-cultural examination. And also we saw the integration processes in the western hemisphere.
Question
¿Is Latin America prepared fot the economic crisis in the world?
Recently the dramatic falls in Latin America's stock markets on what is already being called "Black Monday 2" have reignited concerns about how well-placed the region is to withstand the global financial crisis. Nerves were frayed during Monday trading in Sao Paulo.
Monday's falls in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile were all greater than the last one-day big decline in mid-September after the announcement of the collapse of the US bank, Lehman Brothers. The Merval Index in Buenos Aires, for example, dropped 8.7%, the worst fall in six years. Sao Paulo's stock market fall of more than 9% was the worst in nearly a decade, as was Santiago's. Mexico City's drop was the worst since 2000.
Now he have to see how exposed is Latin America, and analysts say there is no doubt that the region's economies are still better-equipped than in previous years to absorb the effects of the international crisis. But countries like Mexico and Brazil have much lower public debt compared to the 1980s and 1990s, the years of Latin America's debt crisis.
Also know we can see that most countries in the region also have higher reserves and a more diversified export base.
So far, no Latin American banks have gone bankrupt. But there are fears that a general tightening of international credit lines or a rise in interest rates could feed through to local banks, particularly those which are local branches of international banks.
This crisis would adversely affect everyone from small businesses to exporters seeking credit. It is worth remembering that one major factor behind the region's generally strong economic growth, which has been between 4% and 6% in the last three years, has been the boom in credit in recent years.
Analysts say Latin America's poor will also be badly affected. The global financial turmoil will be another obstacle, along with the food-price inflation, maintaining the recent drop in Latin America's poverty rate.
Bibliography
S EDWARDS. Crisis and reform in Latin America. orton.catie.ac.cr, 1995.
KL REMMER. The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America. American political science review, 1991 - cat.inist.fr
The presentation began analysing the general aspects of Latin America, as culture, major countries population, and then they made a comparison between Guatemala and Chile.
Then we saw some isues about Guatemala, the ethic relations, the basic economy, the division of labor and the classes and castes. Also we learn how to do business with them.
Finally we learn from the readings about the ethical evaluations, intentions, and orientations of accountants, from the evidence of a cross-cultural examination. And also we saw the integration processes in the western hemisphere.
Question
¿Is Latin America prepared fot the economic crisis in the world?
Recently the dramatic falls in Latin America's stock markets on what is already being called "Black Monday 2" have reignited concerns about how well-placed the region is to withstand the global financial crisis. Nerves were frayed during Monday trading in Sao Paulo.
Monday's falls in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile were all greater than the last one-day big decline in mid-September after the announcement of the collapse of the US bank, Lehman Brothers. The Merval Index in Buenos Aires, for example, dropped 8.7%, the worst fall in six years. Sao Paulo's stock market fall of more than 9% was the worst in nearly a decade, as was Santiago's. Mexico City's drop was the worst since 2000.
Now he have to see how exposed is Latin America, and analysts say there is no doubt that the region's economies are still better-equipped than in previous years to absorb the effects of the international crisis. But countries like Mexico and Brazil have much lower public debt compared to the 1980s and 1990s, the years of Latin America's debt crisis.
Also know we can see that most countries in the region also have higher reserves and a more diversified export base.
So far, no Latin American banks have gone bankrupt. But there are fears that a general tightening of international credit lines or a rise in interest rates could feed through to local banks, particularly those which are local branches of international banks.
This crisis would adversely affect everyone from small businesses to exporters seeking credit. It is worth remembering that one major factor behind the region's generally strong economic growth, which has been between 4% and 6% in the last three years, has been the boom in credit in recent years.
Analysts say Latin America's poor will also be badly affected. The global financial turmoil will be another obstacle, along with the food-price inflation, maintaining the recent drop in Latin America's poverty rate.
Bibliography
S EDWARDS. Crisis and reform in Latin America. orton.catie.ac.cr, 1995.
KL REMMER. The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America. American political science review, 1991 - cat.inist.fr
EUROPE
Sumary
The presentation began with the general aspects of the continent, after it we saw some recent history in Europe or relevance as I and II world wars.
After it we learn about the important issues about the integration and economy, and saw some issues about the European Union. Then we analize important countries of Europe and analized in each of them the culture, general aspects and language. In other presentation we saw the changing borders in europe.
Question
¿Why is the Roma poverty a major issue to the European Union?
Now days the European Union's freedom of movement laws mean Eastern Europe's large population of Roma (Gypsies) is now spreading west. Roma make up as much as 10% of the population in Eastern Europe.
The effect of this influx on national economies, as well as the deep poverty of the European Union's Roma, are high on the agenda as the first summit on Roma integration within the EU begins in Brussels. Italy and Spain have received the most Roma, mainly from Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, where they make up as much as 10% of the population. Italy has witnessed the most serious effects that are among others murders blamed on Roma, and revenge attacks by vigilante groups, followed by controversial government attempts to fingerprint Roma immigrants.
But some people dont know how how the EU could help, but perhaps they could start by pressurising national governments to implement their own declared policies in housing, employment and education.
Also in eastern Hungary poverty is so endemic, with the Roma blamed for widespread petty theft, that the head of the Hungarian Poultry Board recently complained that people are no longer raising hens in several counties.
Finally we can say that this is a big problem but if the EU make efforts to give a solution the problem will not become bigger, but the EU must know they have to act now.
Bibliography
J PETERSON. Decision-making in the European Union: Towards a framework for analysis. Journal of European Public Policy. informaworld.com
N NUGENT. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Duke University Press, 2003.
The presentation began with the general aspects of the continent, after it we saw some recent history in Europe or relevance as I and II world wars.
After it we learn about the important issues about the integration and economy, and saw some issues about the European Union. Then we analize important countries of Europe and analized in each of them the culture, general aspects and language. In other presentation we saw the changing borders in europe.
Question
¿Why is the Roma poverty a major issue to the European Union?
Now days the European Union's freedom of movement laws mean Eastern Europe's large population of Roma (Gypsies) is now spreading west. Roma make up as much as 10% of the population in Eastern Europe.
The effect of this influx on national economies, as well as the deep poverty of the European Union's Roma, are high on the agenda as the first summit on Roma integration within the EU begins in Brussels. Italy and Spain have received the most Roma, mainly from Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, where they make up as much as 10% of the population. Italy has witnessed the most serious effects that are among others murders blamed on Roma, and revenge attacks by vigilante groups, followed by controversial government attempts to fingerprint Roma immigrants.
But some people dont know how how the EU could help, but perhaps they could start by pressurising national governments to implement their own declared policies in housing, employment and education.
Also in eastern Hungary poverty is so endemic, with the Roma blamed for widespread petty theft, that the head of the Hungarian Poultry Board recently complained that people are no longer raising hens in several counties.
Finally we can say that this is a big problem but if the EU make efforts to give a solution the problem will not become bigger, but the EU must know they have to act now.
Bibliography
J PETERSON. Decision-making in the European Union: Towards a framework for analysis. Journal of European Public Policy. informaworld.com
N NUGENT. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Duke University Press, 2003.
GLOBALIZATION
Sumary
We saw first some debates around the globalization, such as the globalists (positive and negative), inter-nationalistics, transformationalists.
After analizing that and after the development of an activity we saw the “old age” and “new age” of globalisation. And understand some aspects of why is globalization bad and good for business, culture and people.
Finally we analyzed the concept of civil society, all the issues involved with it and the historical roots of 1990s corporate-led globalisation resistance. Finally we saw and learn about corporate social responsibilit.
Question
¿Why public services could suffer in countries like India as a result of globalisation?
Some studies said that globalisation had led to lower tariffs, an important source of public revenue. And that means that a decline in tariff leads to less money for the governments to spend on its people and this is a prove of how international financial and trade organisations are affecting economies and societies.
Is known that globalisation had played an important trigger in the buoyant Indian economy - it grew at over 9% in the six months to this September. But it had been given too much credit for the growth, because much of India's early growth came from a change in internal government policies. So we can said that some excess credit was given to external liberalisation rather than internal liberalisation for India's economic growth.
India also gained by its investments in sectors of higher education, which helped the country to reap the benefits of the information technology revolution. Instead India cant face a economic meltdown of the kind experienced by Brazil and Argentina in the past leading to political and social instability, because issues as the volatility in the 1990s in Latin America was related to capital markets instability. The poor took the brunt of the meltdown and bore the cost. The bottom-line is, that India has so far avoided that kind of extremes.
Blibliography
R GANGULY-SCRASE, TJ SCRASE. Responses to economic liberalisation and cultural globalisation in India. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 2001. Routledge
J GHOSH. Globalisation, export-oriented employment for women and social policy: A case study of India. Unpublished manuscript, 2000 - unrisd.org
We saw first some debates around the globalization, such as the globalists (positive and negative), inter-nationalistics, transformationalists.
After analizing that and after the development of an activity we saw the “old age” and “new age” of globalisation. And understand some aspects of why is globalization bad and good for business, culture and people.
Finally we analyzed the concept of civil society, all the issues involved with it and the historical roots of 1990s corporate-led globalisation resistance. Finally we saw and learn about corporate social responsibilit.
Question
¿Why public services could suffer in countries like India as a result of globalisation?
Some studies said that globalisation had led to lower tariffs, an important source of public revenue. And that means that a decline in tariff leads to less money for the governments to spend on its people and this is a prove of how international financial and trade organisations are affecting economies and societies.
Is known that globalisation had played an important trigger in the buoyant Indian economy - it grew at over 9% in the six months to this September. But it had been given too much credit for the growth, because much of India's early growth came from a change in internal government policies. So we can said that some excess credit was given to external liberalisation rather than internal liberalisation for India's economic growth.
India also gained by its investments in sectors of higher education, which helped the country to reap the benefits of the information technology revolution. Instead India cant face a economic meltdown of the kind experienced by Brazil and Argentina in the past leading to political and social instability, because issues as the volatility in the 1990s in Latin America was related to capital markets instability. The poor took the brunt of the meltdown and bore the cost. The bottom-line is, that India has so far avoided that kind of extremes.
Blibliography
R GANGULY-SCRASE, TJ SCRASE. Responses to economic liberalisation and cultural globalisation in India. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 2001. Routledge
J GHOSH. Globalisation, export-oriented employment for women and social policy: A case study of India. Unpublished manuscript, 2000 - unrisd.org
EAST ASIA
Sumary
We saw a presentation about the Asean and analized each of their integrants, also we learn about Vietnam, looking all the aspects of it. And we saw some of the principal countries and their general aspects.
We made an emphasis on Japan, learning everything about this country and all the important thing they have to offer to the world. We analyze important aspects as the tecnology, culture, language among other important issues.
Question
¿Is a trade pact between ASEAN and japan a good thing for the economy of both parties?
In recent months is known that the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) has agreed a preliminary free trade pact with Japan. The outline, signed during an annual meeting between Asean and Japan taking place in Manila, could be sealed as early as November officials said.
This deal cut tariffs on 90% of Asean products is set to further boost trade between the two parties, which hit $160bn (£79bn) in 2006. The most important issue and a positive aspect to te economy is that the Asean members aim to turn the whole region into a free trade zone.
Is obviously that Japan is a key Asean partner, accounting for 12% of the bloc's world trade in 2006. Also a free trade deal with South Korea is expected in 2008, and further deals are tipped to be signed with Australia and New Zealand in 2010.
All the members discussed the issue of product safety at the event following a series of recalled toys that had been made in China. A series of product recalls of Chinese toys has pushed the issue into the spotlight.
But we can say that this pact just lead opportunities of development and rise in economy for both paries as soon as the pact conclude, and begin to take place.
Bibliography
WK Kwan, PM Goh, Koizumi. Call for Japan-Asean pact. The Straits Times, 2002
M BARRY. ASEAN Free-Trade Area Discussions on Including China, Japan, and South Korea. International Economic Review, 2001 - ciaonet.org
We saw a presentation about the Asean and analized each of their integrants, also we learn about Vietnam, looking all the aspects of it. And we saw some of the principal countries and their general aspects.
We made an emphasis on Japan, learning everything about this country and all the important thing they have to offer to the world. We analyze important aspects as the tecnology, culture, language among other important issues.
Question
¿Is a trade pact between ASEAN and japan a good thing for the economy of both parties?
In recent months is known that the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) has agreed a preliminary free trade pact with Japan. The outline, signed during an annual meeting between Asean and Japan taking place in Manila, could be sealed as early as November officials said.
This deal cut tariffs on 90% of Asean products is set to further boost trade between the two parties, which hit $160bn (£79bn) in 2006. The most important issue and a positive aspect to te economy is that the Asean members aim to turn the whole region into a free trade zone.
Is obviously that Japan is a key Asean partner, accounting for 12% of the bloc's world trade in 2006. Also a free trade deal with South Korea is expected in 2008, and further deals are tipped to be signed with Australia and New Zealand in 2010.
All the members discussed the issue of product safety at the event following a series of recalled toys that had been made in China. A series of product recalls of Chinese toys has pushed the issue into the spotlight.
But we can say that this pact just lead opportunities of development and rise in economy for both paries as soon as the pact conclude, and begin to take place.
Bibliography
WK Kwan, PM Goh, Koizumi. Call for Japan-Asean pact. The Straits Times, 2002
M BARRY. ASEAN Free-Trade Area Discussions on Including China, Japan, and South Korea. International Economic Review, 2001 - ciaonet.org
SOUTH ASIA
Sumary
We began with an exellent presentation about the religions that exist in this region that are Islam, Induism and Jainism, and we saw the issues involved with each of these religions and where they were practiced. Also the partners make an analisys on Hofstede´s framework looking each of the characteistics.
We saw deeply the caste and all the implication it had depending where you belong, and also we saw the works and attitudes the person of a caste can do o not.
At the end of the presentation we saw and learn about the company INFOSYS who are a entreprise dedicated to the manage of software and services. We saw how they work and what they did for being succesfull now days.
Question
¿Why be part of a low caste is the meaning of poverty, udevelopment and slavery?
To many people in India said that prefer to born again as an animal rather than as a harijan (dalit), because eveyone can notice the humiliation they suffer. In a region of India this is more specific, the region is Bihar, where after the floods millions of people lost their homes, belongings and even family members. But for the dalits of Bihar there is further misery: the caste system.
The unemployment is a variable that is affecting all Bihar population nowdays and because of their condition of dalit, is harder to get a new job or to be someone in life. The childres of the dalits always suffer for being hungry and for not having education. In Bihar the dalits work for earn about 40 rupees (80 cents) for a 12-hour day.
And the problem is bigger because affter this floods hundreds of dalit families are in extremely situations of poverty. In this emergency, when everyone should be provided with food, certain groups are denied access.
And the only persons that can leave the place where the upper cast members, because the dalits may stay home to guard their house and belongings. No matters if the guard is old or have also a family, because they just took advantage of their condition of dalit. It seems a strange sort of society where an old man stays back, without food or shelter, taking numerous risks to guard the house of his feudal lord.
But also is important to know that in this society there is no other support system for dalits family members. For many it has become a question of survival, they cant use the hand pump to get water as it belonged to upper caste people.
All people must understand they are also human beings, they need food and water and their children also feel hungry. Everyone must have to challenge the system, eventhough the problem is gigantic. But efforts need to be made. The critical point is that while equality may be an accepted philosophy it can only happen once people also agree in practice to be equals. Everyone in India must understand that equality means that all people should get food and their rights and dignity are respected.
Bibliography
GS GHURYE. Caste and Class in India. Popular Book Depot
HUTTON J. H. Caste in India. Its Nature, Function, and Origins. Oxford University Press, Bombay, INDE (1973) (Monographie)
We began with an exellent presentation about the religions that exist in this region that are Islam, Induism and Jainism, and we saw the issues involved with each of these religions and where they were practiced. Also the partners make an analisys on Hofstede´s framework looking each of the characteistics.
We saw deeply the caste and all the implication it had depending where you belong, and also we saw the works and attitudes the person of a caste can do o not.
At the end of the presentation we saw and learn about the company INFOSYS who are a entreprise dedicated to the manage of software and services. We saw how they work and what they did for being succesfull now days.
Question
¿Why be part of a low caste is the meaning of poverty, udevelopment and slavery?
To many people in India said that prefer to born again as an animal rather than as a harijan (dalit), because eveyone can notice the humiliation they suffer. In a region of India this is more specific, the region is Bihar, where after the floods millions of people lost their homes, belongings and even family members. But for the dalits of Bihar there is further misery: the caste system.
The unemployment is a variable that is affecting all Bihar population nowdays and because of their condition of dalit, is harder to get a new job or to be someone in life. The childres of the dalits always suffer for being hungry and for not having education. In Bihar the dalits work for earn about 40 rupees (80 cents) for a 12-hour day.
And the problem is bigger because affter this floods hundreds of dalit families are in extremely situations of poverty. In this emergency, when everyone should be provided with food, certain groups are denied access.
And the only persons that can leave the place where the upper cast members, because the dalits may stay home to guard their house and belongings. No matters if the guard is old or have also a family, because they just took advantage of their condition of dalit. It seems a strange sort of society where an old man stays back, without food or shelter, taking numerous risks to guard the house of his feudal lord.
But also is important to know that in this society there is no other support system for dalits family members. For many it has become a question of survival, they cant use the hand pump to get water as it belonged to upper caste people.
All people must understand they are also human beings, they need food and water and their children also feel hungry. Everyone must have to challenge the system, eventhough the problem is gigantic. But efforts need to be made. The critical point is that while equality may be an accepted philosophy it can only happen once people also agree in practice to be equals. Everyone in India must understand that equality means that all people should get food and their rights and dignity are respected.
Bibliography
GS GHURYE. Caste and Class in India. Popular Book Depot
HUTTON J. H. Caste in India. Its Nature, Function, and Origins. Oxford University Press, Bombay, INDE (1973) (Monographie)
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