The response speed of the International Monetary Fund. Bruegel Working Paper 2013/03, 16 July 2013

The more severe a financial crisis, the greater has been the likelihood of its management under an IMF-supported programme and the shorter the time from crisis onset to programme initiation. Political links to the United States have increased programme likelihood but have prompted faster response mainly for ‘major’crises. Over time, the IMF’s response has not been robustly faster, but the time sensitivity to the more severe crises and those related to fixed exchange rate regimes did increase from the mid-1980s. Similarly, democracies had tended to stall programme initiation but have become more supportive of financial markets’ demands for quicker action

MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, REGIONAL INTEGRATION PROCESSES AND THE CAP. WHAT'S AHEAD?

The focus of the paper is on the developments so far and the future of the negotiations on agriculture in the WTO Doha Development Agenda round from the perspective of the European Union. The first part of the paper discusses what happened in the two parallel processes, the domestic agricultural policy reform in the EU and the WTO negotiations, identifying the linkages between CAP reform decisions and developments in the EU negotiation positions. The second part of the paper discusses further changes expected in the relatively near future in the CAP and in regional trade agreements involving the EU, and the perspectives of the WTO negotiations. The main point made is that the changes in domestic agricultural policy which have occurred in the EU (mostly motivated by domestic concerns), while they have not removed farm support nor made the CAP effective and efficient, have had a significant effect in terms of reducing its distortionary effects on markets, though more on the domestic than on the international ones. Unlike in the Uruguay round negotiations (when the MacSharry reform was decided close to the end of the round), the timing and extent of these reforms have made it possible for the EU to be a credible actor in the DDA round and put forward sensible negotiating proposals. The CAP is expected to go through further significant changes in the near future which, regardless of what happens in the WTO negotiations, will bring a further market reorientation of EU agriculture and a reduction in trade distortions. Successful developments in preferential trade agreements involving the EU for which negotiations are already well under way may contribute to a significant increase in the opening of EU agro-food markets.International Relations/Trade,

Is China taking actions to limit its greenhouse gas emissions? past evidence and future prospects

As the world’s second largest carbon emitter, China has long been criticised as a “free-rider” enjoying benefits from other countries’ efforts to abate greenhouse gas emissions but not taking due responsibilities of its own. China has been singled out as one of the major targets at the subsequent negotiations after the Kyoto curtain had fallen. By an¬alyzing the historical contributions of inter-fuel switching, energy conserva¬tion, economic growth and population expan¬sion to China’s CO2 emissions during the period 1980-1997, this article first demonstrates that the above criticism cannot hold its ground. Then the article envisions some efforts and commitments that could be expected from China until its per capita income catches up with the level of middle-developed countries. By emphasizing the win-win strategies, these efforts and commitments could be unlikely to severely jeopardize China’s economic development and, at the same time, would give the country more leverage at the post-Kyoto climate change negotiations.Carbon tax; carbon dioxide emissions; China; CGE model; policies and measures; Kyoto Protocol; emission commitments

The Perceived Impact of the In-Trust Agreements on CGIAR Germplasm Availability: An Assessment of Bioversity International's Institutional Activities

This study assesses the generation and consequences of the In-Trust Agreements (ITAs) that established the legal status of the CGIAR germplasm as freely available for the benefit of humanity under the auspices of FAO. The analysis looks at the history of the ITAs and focuses on the role of Bioversity International in research and other activities in influencing, facilitating and enabling the ITA negotiations. Results confirm the central role of Bioversity and policy research in the negotiations process. Concepts developed during the ITA negotiations contributed toward subsequent multilateral negotiations that eventually culminated in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources

POLICY ALTERNATIVES IN REFORMING POWER UTILITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CRITICAL SURVEY

This paper examines the policy alternatives faced by developing countries in their endeavours to preserve and develop their electricity and gas systems, two service-oriented industries that - along with oil and coal - provide the bulk of the energy supply in both developed and developing countries. Even in very poor countries, industrially generated energy is indispensable for carrying out most economic activities. Therefore, Governments traditionally recognize that the supply of gas and electricity entails a fundamental public service dimension. Chapter I presents and defines the issues of liberalization, deregulation and privatization of energy utilities, and it attempts to locate energy reforms in a broader historical framework in which developing countries` Governments have faced increasing financial hardship. Chapter II reviews some experiences in energy sector reforms, focusing on some of the largest semi-industrialized countries in Latin America and Asia. A few remarks on the advisability of a flexible approach to reforming energy regimes in developing countries conclude the paper.

“I Treat Everyone with Respect”: Debt Collection Attorneys as Agents of Institutionalized Racism in a Color-blind America

How do debt collection attorneys understand their work in light of increased regulation of the industry and its historic structural racism? Drawing on over sixty hours of observation in two small claims courts, analysis of three months of cases, and semi-structured interviews with eight debt collection attorneys, I argue that attorneys reinforce the instutionalized racism of debt collection through their use of color-blind racism. Attorneys understand the state of the debt collection industry as inevitable, denying inconsistencies in their practice that privilege white defendants. Additionally, attorneys view themselves as helping rather than exploiting debtors, in contrast to frequent aggressive action without regard to its consequences for defendants’ lives. Attorneys who act with greater flexibility demonstrate the potential for lawyers to challenge the institutional racism of debt collection. However, the historic and contemporary stigma associated with debt collection in addition to the lack of professional prestige available to these attorneys gives significance to color-blindness not only as an explanatory device but, also, as a stigma management strategy. The necessity of stigma management in addition to the lack of professional stability and autonomy for many debt collection attorneys complicates the potential for future change