Volume 23, number 3 (2002)
Globalization, Development and Security: The Aftermath of September 11, 2001
Introduction
“Everything indicates that September 11, 2001, and the events surrounding it have changed how we look at the world and have given rise to irreversible changes in many areas, including the “development process.” The nature of the changes that are under way is, however, far from being clear, as are the effects of those changes on the development process. All that is clear is that this process will take place in an entirely new context of security issues. This thematic section addresses these topics.”
The Imperial Counteroffensive: Contradictions, Challenges, and Opportunities
A major issue for understanding world developments since September 11 is the projection of power by the US imperial state. Under conditions of an economic crisis and the decline of US influence in various parts of the world, the events of September 11 created conditions for a renewed effort by the United States, under the administration of George W. Bush, to re-establish and consolidate its hegemony. This paper examines the political dynamics of these developments in the context of the war declared by the US imperial state against “international terrorism.” This war is shown to be just another political and military offensive in a protracted class war. The paper examines some recent permutations of this war and its implications for developments in Latin America and elsewhere.
Globalization and Security: The Imperial Presidency in Mexico
This paper focuses on the projection of the imperial power of the United States in Mexico. As the author sees and constructs it, this is a historical problem, with a clear pattern that emerges in a review of developments from the early 19th century to the most recent turn of US imperialism in the wake of September 11. At issue in these developments is the need for, and efforts of, the US government (the “imperial presidency”) to reconcile conflicting imperatives of economic power, projected by US-based multinational corporations, and the political imperative to foster stability and order. The author analyzes the implications for Mexico of the efforts of the US imperial presidency to resolve this problem.
A World Without War? Reflections on Globalization and Antiglobalization
The paper takes the form of several reflections on developments that have unfolded since 11 September 2001, with particular reference to the concentration and projection of power in the United States, both state and private, as well as its implications for the prospect of a new general world war and the possibilities for dissent.
Articles
La globalisation et les événements du 11 septembre 2001 : Réflexion sur quelques thèmes de discussion
“Ce numéro de la Revue est en grande partie consacré à une analyse socioéconomique et politique de la problématique de la globalisation et des discours relatifs au concept de développement. Les points centraux qui permettent d’articuler l’évolution de la pensée et les arguments théoriques en faveur ou à l’encontre de la globalisation, comme facteur potentiel de développement mondial, sont abordés dans les deux premiers articles où l’on reprend les discours du conférencier d’honneur Rex Nettleford et du président sortant Paul Bowles ainsi que dans les trois articles de la section thématique sur les retombées des événements du 11 septembre 2001. Le présent article propose une analyse et une synthèse des problématiques abordées par les cinq auteurs.”
Crossing Boundaries: The African Diaspora and the New Millennium, New Challenges for Development
“I have chosen to speak to the issue of crossing boundaries within the context of the African Diaspora, which is found largely in this hemisphere, but signaling the essence of most of the two thirds of the world that is targeted for development assistance by possibly one too many experts, consultants, feasibility study buffs, and just plain journalists looking for a story that will sell metropolitan newspapers. The implied cynicism is not to signify any loss of faith. This conference, I dare say, wants to go off the beaten track somewhat to help give to the historical experience and existential reality of developing peoples (and, for my purposes, people of African ancestry tenanting spaces outside and even inside Africa) a sense of place and purpose in the world of the new millennium. For without a cultural context, the text of grants, aid and loans in the new world order will either come to nought or be counterproductive, and may even turn out to be instruments of underdevelopment … ”
Globalization and Boundaries: Is the “Development Divide” Still Relevant?
“The theme of this year’s Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, ‘Boundaries,’ is a challenging one that invites us to examine many of the boundaries that are typically employed in the study of international development. This theme is particularly timely because globalization has changed the way we think about many aspects of the contemporary world. To many, globalization requires a new type of analysis and a new set of boundaries. As Kolodko … has grandly put it in the most hyper-globalist terms, the onset of globalization has meant that ‘it is not the end but the beginning of history we are witnessing. Now at long last nearly everyone will be involved in making history.’
“What are the implications of this perceived ‘beginning of history’ for some of the traditional concerns of international development studies? Where is the boundary between what is relevant in this new globalized world and what needs to be cast aside?”
Canada’s Trade Policy Toward Developing Countries: A Post-Uruguay Round Assessment
This article presents an overview of Canada’s trade relationship with developing countries, placing a special emphasis on the impact of the Uruguay Round agreements and focusing on the advances in market access. Have the Uruguay Round agreements translated into greater access to Canadian markets for developing countries, as expected? The paper also discusses the main orientations of Canadian trade policy toward developing countries and examines how consistent they are with international development objectives.
Rural China Adapting to a World Market
China has entered the World Trade Organization. Adapting to a world market will accelerate and shape major changes occurring in the rural areas of China. Specifically, it will affect China’s food system as agriculture adjusts to a growing population, increased consumer food safety and quality concerns, and increased competition for agricultural imports and exports. The paper projects likely changes in China’s food requirements for the first quarter of this century and considers the production, employment and income distribution implications for China’s agriculture sector as it adapts to a world market.
Food Aid in Sub-Saharan Africa: Policy Lessons for the Future
At the beginning of the 21st century, the countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face severe economic, social and political problems. At the centre of many of these problems is widespread food insecurity. The prospects are that more food aid or aid for food will be required if food security is to be achieved in the short term. Yet these forms of assistance continue to be provided in unreliable, disparate and often conflictive ways. The first part of this paper outlines the dimensions of food aid to SSA in the past. The second part discusses some of the major policy issues for future food aid to SSA. The third part examines the prospects for addressing these policy issues. The paper concludes that an international conference should be held to arrive at common policies and coordinated programs for future food aid to SSA.
Reviews
Market or Government Failures? An Asian Perspective, A.S. Bhalla
Crisis and Recovery in Malaysia: The Role of Capital Controls, Prema-Chandra Athukorala
Global Governance and the New Wars, Mark Duffield