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Winter 1999–2000
Articles
Civil society has become the political equivalent of mother’s milk—a prerequisite for developing a healthy polity and vibrant economy. But too much of the wrong kind can actually weaken democracy and produce political and economic gridlock.
Emerging technologies and new approaches to war have made it easier for small states to stand up to their bigger brethren—but not in the way that most futurist pundits suggest. The best way to take on superpowers may not be to acquire weapons of mass destruction or engage in cyberwarfare, but to deploy the unblinking eye of the global media.
Ever heard of the World Commission on Dams or the Roll Back Malaria initiative? Take note. Governments, international organizations, advocacy groups, and private firms are joining together to radically change the way that global public policy is made and implemented.
News reports worldwide warn of a growing public backlash against free trade. A closer look, however, suggests that free trade continues to expand. The real threat to further market liberalization lies not in a resurgence of old forms of protectionism, but in a host of new challenges created by the global economy.
Pundits have wasted their time quibbling over “who lost Russia.” Not only is Russia not “lost,” but it has made enormous strides since 1991. And despite some occasional missteps, U.S. policy has generally been on target. Now is the time to focus on what works, not on who’s to blame. Otherwise, all the finger-pointing about the supposed failure of U.S. policy toward Russia could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Citing Boris Yeltsin’s ill health, erratic behavior, and dodgy associates, critics of his administration have pinned their hopes for change in Russia on his successor. Don’t count on it. Hemmed in by political and economic constraints, whoever follows in Boris’ footsteps is likely to find himself...“becoming Yeltsin.”
From Colombia’s guerrilla wars to Peru’s kind-of-democratic strongman, Latin America’s bright future is starting to look a lot like its ugly past. The political and economic miracles so many expected a decade ago are not going to happen. But there are a few reasons not to lose hope—yet.
The United States appears committed to deploying a national missile defense system. The bad news is that it won’t work. The worse news is that it will undermine nonproliferation efforts worldwide and increase the likelihood of nuclear attack.
Book Reviews