The 2006 Election and the American Future

President Bush decidedly lost the 2006 US congressional, senatorial and state gubernatorial and legislative elections, but did the Democrats win? They are somewhat revived and hopeful about the presidential contest of 2008. Their profound inner divisions, however, deprive them of capacity for sustained initiatives. Meanwhile, the imperial presidency thrives‐President Bush is defying both elite and public opinion. By escalating war in Iraq and preparing to attack Iran, we confront not just a new electoral cycle but a deepening crisis of US democracy.     

2008年越南经济综观

2008年,越南经济经历了20多年来最剧烈的变化。上半年经济过热,并引起证券、房地产和商品市场及银行系统的剧烈震荡;下半年,世界金融危机波及越南,时值上半年采取宏观调控政策的紧缩效应开始显现,致使各主要行业又面临新的困难,最终全年经济增长未达到预期目标,并出现进一步下滑的趋势。但总体上看,2008年越南经济依然保持了较快的增长速度,特别是在出口和吸引外资方面,成绩尤为显著。各界对越南2008年经济表现褒贬不一,本文介绍了越南企业界、政府部门、学术界及国际机构的观点,并在最后提出笔者观点。