Hiroshima poems by Toge Sankichi

Abstract

Extract

Gail Omvedt's piece, ostensibly on the World Bank, is actually an argument for liberalization as opposed to statist regimes. The following lines responding to her piece concern this larger issue. While sharing her critique of the dependency theory as well as some of her negative views on statist regimes, I have basic differences with her on a number of points in her discourse.     

Nuclear energy fifty years after Hiroshima

Environmental restrictions are posing restraints on hydrocarbon fuel use. Barring widescale acceptance of limits to growth, or mass conversion to the ecology movement, it would seem that nuclear power is the only alternative energy supply today to achieve a measure of industrial capability. But whether the role of nuclear power can be disassociated from weapons in the next century's energy/environment complex remains to be seen. These issues are analyzed by IIPS Distinguished Research Fellow and Kyorin University Professor Ryukichi Imai, who has served as Japan's Ambassador to Kuwait, Mexico, and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. He is the author of numerous books and articles on nuclear issues. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the July 1995 Pugwash Hiroshima Conference.     

Hiroshima and the Historians: History as Relative Truth

As is clear from the historiography of the US decision to use the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the judgments of historians are relative to the time, place, and perspective from which they are writing. There are four major schools of historical interpretation of the decision. First is the orthodox view that was offered by the participants in the decision. Second is the revisionist view of historians writing during the era of the Vietnam war who adopted a much more critical interpretation. Third is an interpretive school that gives weight to the Japanese role and responsibility. Finally, the author's view is found in a more long-range perspective that finds the momentum created by President Roosevelt's unconditional surrender policy as the decisive factor. This policy provoked unconditional resistance in the Japanese military. By 1945 the legacy of Roosevelt's policy was firmly embedded in American public opinion. Historians have reached no consensus among these different interpretive schools.     

Peacekeeping from Oceania: Perspectives from Australia,New Zealand and Fiji

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the involvement of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in peacekeeping operations with attention to motives, experience and ‘lessons learnt’. Australia and New Zealand have been strongly influenced by regional considerations and an understanding of good international citizenship. Fiji’s contribution has been determined less by regional considerations and more by its position as a small developing country whose peacekeeping activities bring economic benefits, although it could be argued that by providing a basis for extending military forces they have contributed indirectly to political instability. Police contributions have been increasingly important to Australia and New Zealand and they have advocated a stronger role for police in other situations around the world.     

Winners and Losers in the Postcommunist Transition: New Evidence from Estonia

An American specialist on Russian politics and federalism examines the democratizing effects, intended and unintended, of President Vladimir Putin's federative reforms. Focus is on the "harmonization" of regional constitutions and legislation with federal laws and the RF Constitution in the name of the "reintegration of Russia's legal space." On the basis of detailed analysis of changes in regional constitutions and laws ensuing from the harmonization policy, the author assesses the impact of this aspect of the reforms on democratization in Russia's regions. Regional issues examined include the separation and balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, political and civil rights, the level of demand for democratic laws and independent judicial review, and the emergence of stakeholders of these reforms within civil society.     

新政府·新经济·"新新加坡"--2001年的新加坡

2001年,对于新加坡来说,是真正迈入新世纪的新起点.11月23日,吴作栋总理和李显龙副总理领导的内阁宣誓就职,标志着新加坡新一届政府正式成立.新领导层将拟定和实施新的经济发展战略和政策,决心把新加坡打造成一个创新的国家--一个适应新世纪发展和新国际政治经济环境的"新新加坡".     

马来西亚如何看待中国--以《新海峡时报》2002-2003年对中国的报道为分析视角

近年来中国与马来西亚的关系发展势头良好,笔者以马来西亚的<新海峡时报>2002-2003年中关于中国的新闻作为分析的样本,试图从中分析出马来西亚如何看待正在崛起的中国.