Third World studies,development studies and post-communist studies: Definitions,distance and dynamism

The collapse of state socialism in the USSR and Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s has had contrary impacts on Third World studies and development studies. On the one hand, the disintegration of the former Soviet bloc has made the spirit of 'non-alignment' of the Third World no longer relevant. On the other hand, the nature of post-communist transformation has led many scholars to study transition in terms of development. This article will examine the recent trend of decline in Third World studies and the penetration of development studies into post-communist studies. It will argue that the employment of development perspectives in transitology will widen our field of vision of post-communist transformation.     

The logic of interdisciplinary studies

In this article, I argue that emerging economies are systematically becoming more susceptible to both currency and banking crises after financial liberalisation (FL). Using data for 27 emerging economies from 1973 to 1998, univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that the likelihood of currency crises and banking crises increase after FL. In particular, liberalisation allows more liquidity to enter an emerging economy, which finds its way into productive and speculative projects. What is common to both types of crises is a significant increase in speculative financing, thereby increasing the chance for borrower default. Thus, the outflow of international capital becomes more likely. The chance of a crisis occurring in response to changes in short-term loans is greater after FL than before. Similarly, the chance of a currency crisis occurring following a currency overvaluation is larger after FL than before. In comparison, the likelihood of a banking crisis occurring in response to an overvalued currency remains the same. Finally, the results show that the chance of a currency crisis declines over time, while the chance of a banking crisis increases after FL.     

Leaving area studies behind: the challenge of diasporic connections in the field of African studies

Abstract

In recent years, diaspora has become one of the key terms of social analysis in various fields. Emphasizing the multiple trajectories out of which present identities – inasmuch as political or economic realities – are forged, the concept forces us to reconsider the scope of classical area studies (and associated disciplinary boundaries) in radical terms. The article looks at the colonial foundations of African Studies as area studies and examines some ways by which to overcome enduring colonial epistemologies. The author suggests a theoretical framework in which Africa herself is considered as diasporic. Moreover, she calls for a critical perspective that will facilitate the comparative analysis of different diasporic discourses and practices.     

The rise of radical African studies

African Social Studies: A Radical Reader. Edited by Peter C. W. Gutkind and Peter Waterman. Heinemann Educational Books, 1977. Pp. ix + 481. Paper £2–90.

The Political Economy of Contemporary Africa. Edited by Peter C. W. Gutkind and lmmanuel Wallerstein. Sage Publications, 1976. Pp. 318.

Nigeria: Economy and Society. Edited by Gavin Williams. Rex Collings, 1976. Pp. 226. Hardcover £5.25.     

传承中华文化的桥梁--美国华夏中文学校

美国华夏中文学校是美国也是海外最大的中文学校。它拥有分布在新泽西州、纽约州和宾夕法尼亚州的11所分校,共有学生3000多名,占全美国所有中文学校学生的8％以上。该校在传授中华文化、联络旅美华人、沟通中美人民之间的友谊做了许多工作,在全美华人社会中具有相当的影响。     

Development engineering meets development studies

The importance of science in development has been increasingly recognised in development discourses and policy since 2000. Engineering is less visible though engineering and engineers are important for the building and maintenance of transport, water, energy, industrial, informatics, urban and health systems. This article aims to investigate why engineering has not received more emphasis, including why development engineering has not been institutionalised like tropical medicine. It explores the nature of engineering in development, highlights recent efforts to headline engineering for development and, using analyses of what engineers know and do inside international development, suggests that its profile and effectiveness is emerging.     

中国共产党与中国特色的传统外交

传统外交是党领导下的中国外交的重要组成部分。过去的90年中,中国共产党始终牢牢把握和平与发展、经济全球化和国际政治民主化这三大历史潮流,领导中国传统外交不断从最初的消极、被动和单一走向今天的积极、主动和全面,始终致力于和平外交、开放外交和独立外交,并且很好地把握了物质利益与普世价值的平衡,包括国家利益与全人类利益的平衡,更侧重物质利益的大国外交和周边外交与更侧重价值观的发展中国家关系与多边外交的平衡。中国传统外交的这一不断发展,既使中国传统外交不断从胜利走向新的胜利,也为中国传统外交的未来发展奠定了坚实的基础,并提出了更高的要求。     

中国外交的新思路

当前世界国际形势正在发生深刻变化,各种复杂的不确定和非传统因素分化演绎,为中国的国家发展和对外交往提出了新的难题,在这种情况下,认清形势,明确目标、思路变得尤为重要.尽管世界局势的复杂性和变化性在加剧,但和平与发展仍然是当今时代的主题.