Citizenship-based competitiveness policy in a new economic world

As a result of current economic changes (with the consequent premium placed on citizens’ and countries’ competitiveness in the global economy), democratic countries face a fundamental challenge: How can efforts to enhance economic competitiveness be reconciled with citizenship obligations? This article suggests parameters for debate on how to meet this challenge. It first explores the nature of citizenship obligations in modern democracies. Next, it offers a conceptualization of competitiveness (and the general characteristics of policy choices which may facilitate a reconciliation. It then surveys competitiveness policies in one region of Sweden which were founded on the premise that it is appropriate to pursue simultaneously economic competitiveness and enhancement of human welfare. These policies may provide insights on what citizenship-based policies can look like.     

Reform: economic policy administration

Beginning in 1992, Italy has undergone a dramatic process of fiscal consolidation. Within that framework, the policy strategy has covered a broad range of objectives and addressed the main structural imbalances of the Italian economy. This paper describes how the new policy course has been reshaping the role of the State within the Italian economy, with a view of reducing the State's weight and direct involvement in the management of businesses. This has also implied a profound transformation at the decisional and administrative levels, as testified by the ongoing merge of two separate administrations, the former Ministry of the Treasury and Ministry of the Budget, into a single entity.     

No miracles here: Trade policy,fiscal policy and economic growth

In this paper we consider whether the rate of growth following trade liberalisation differs significantly from growth in other developing countries. We find that it does not. Given this result we explore whether these growth effects are offset by changes in other policy variables, namely changes in fiscal policy. Governments increase welfare spending as a response to greater exposure to international trade. We find evidence that countries that liberalise their trade regimes increase their spending on welfare but not other forms of expenditure. However, once we control for the effects of fiscal policy, trade liberalisation still has no growth effects.     

民族主义政党的发展历史、政策调整及前景

在亚非拉地区的广大发展中国家,民族主义政党是主要的政治力量.民族主义政党晚于西方资本主义政党的产生和发展,大多以民族主义为旗帜,以寻求民族独立解放、民族发展富强为宗旨目标.民族主义政党产生的历史背景、发展轨迹与西方国家近现代政党有很大不同,即使在民族主义政党之间,意识形态和政策主张也千差万别.     

Perspectives on participation in economic policy reform in Africa

This article examines two questions regarding participation in economic policy reform in Africa: how do the circumstances surrounding participation and the ways it occurs influence the economic policy reform process, and can changes to enhance participation lead to improved policy outcomes? The general findings are, first, that the pattern of participation is an important variable in the policy reform process, but that its effects on reform outcomes are strongly mediated by African political and governance factors. Second, increased participation appears to enhance prospects for sustainable reform outcomes, though the weak capacity and responsiveness of the state and the incipient nature of civil society's associational infrastructure in much of Africa limit opportunilimits for institutionalizing participation. It is important to be aware of participation’s limits as well as its potential contribution to economic policy reform in the context of political liberalization, and to recognize the long-term nature of the transition to new modes of state-society cooperation.     

State economic development strategy: Designing a tool for evaluating policy

In 1987, the new governor of Pennsylvania introduced a plan designed to protect “old” jobs while encouraging public and private investment in targeted “growth” industries. Recognizing that “targeting growth opportunities” was, at best, an uncertain enterprise, the Department of Labor and Industry suggested a program be implemented that would monitor these “key” sectors. To be cost-effective, this evaluation effort would need to be sufficiently timely and sensitive to allow for mid-course corrections. In this paper, we describe an effort to design and implement such a program.