Article Alert

June  2006

ALERT, a monthly publication of the Information Resource Center at Public Affairs Section of American Consulate General Shenyang, offers abstracts of current articles in major areas of U.S. domestic or international affairs. Full-text articles are available to you upon request. To request articles, please contact the Information Resource Center by telephone , fax, e-mail xiaob@state.gov, or by mail. To request mail, please circle the articles you wish to receive, include your name, address, and telephone number and return this list to us.  DISCLAIMER: articles and links to non-U.S. government Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

The Rule of Law

1.    THE ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE

       Gershman, Carl; Allen, Michael

       Journal of Democracy, Vol. 17, No. 2, April 2006, pp. 36-51

 

As democracy promotion programs have grown, so has resistance to these programs. Today new legal restrictions to democracy assistance pose a major threat to the advancement of democracy. This backlash against democracy is a byproduct of the rise of "hybrid regimes," or governments which retain democratic processes but are open to corruption and manipulation. The article outlines tactics used by such nations to limit the activities of democratic groups. For example, governments may restrict the flow of foreign funds to a local NGO. The authors propose tactical, political and normative responses to regimes that obstruct democracy assistance.

 

2.    THE DOABLE DOZEN

        --

       American Prospect, vol. 17, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 44-50

 

A collection of contributors to the American Prospect lists the issues Democrats and Republicans should be thinking about as the fall 2006 mid-year elections approach. The problems of income inequality in America and holding potential witnesses in criminal proceedings in custody indefinitely are the top two. Writers suggest re-tooling the proposed Aspire Act, which creates savings accounts for every child with a $500 starter deposit from the U.S. government, with children from below-median-income households eligible for additional government contributions. Writer Tara McKelvey suggests Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont has it right when he proposed fixing the material-witness law on the books by imposing time limits on holding material witnesses and setting due-process standards on the detention of material witnesses. Among other key issues for candidates to talk about are tax inequality, global conflict resolution, patents on pharmaceutical drugs, Medicare drug benefits, unfair credit-card rates, and universal access to broadband technology.

 

3.    ENFEEBLING THE PRESIDENCY

       Rivkin, David; Casey, Lee

       National Review, vol. 58, no. 11, June 19, 2006, pp. 32-38

 

The authors contend that people tend to believe that the Congress' power is greater or more legitimate than the president's. However, the intention of the Framers of our nation's Constitution was to establish "the executive branch [as] a co-equal branch." They wanted the Constitution to reflect "the widespread dissatisfaction with the experience of our national governance under the Articles of Confederation, when the executive power was vested in Congress." Accordingly, a strong presidency was created in order to ensure strong national government, which in turn will protect the national interest.

 

4.    A GLOBAL SNAPSHOT

       Soudriette, Richard W.; Ellis, Andrew

       Journal of Democracy, Vol. 17, No. 2, April, 2006, pp. 78-88

 

Designing an electoral system is a fundamental step in building a sustainable democracy. The authors explain the differences between a plurality/majority system and a proportional representation system. Soudriette and Ellis analyze five key factors to consider when selecting an electoral system: electoral boundaries, voter education, the modernization of election equipment, ballot papers and counting, and long-term sustainability. The article also includes a table comparing more than 120 countries' electoral systems.

 

5.    GOOGLE

       Vise, David

       Foreign Policy, no. 154, May/June 2006, pp. 20-24

 

Vise, reporter for the Washington Post, outlines how the Internet search firm Google, which has been hailed as the new Microsoft, may not be as innovative and sustainable as once believed. One problem the company faces is international competition: specifically out of South Korea, where local companies have successfully thwarted Google, and Europe, where the French have invested more than $2 billion in a Franco-German operation. Another barrier to future success is the recent debacle in China, where Google's decision to self-censor its content at the behest of the Chinese leadership has tarnished the company's reputation. Vise concludes that while Google is likely to remain a key player in the technology market, it needs to be more innovative and globally minded to be a leader.

 

6.    INVESTI-GATE: WHAT'S REALLY AT STAKE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

       Roth, Zachary

       Washington Monthly, Vol. 38, No. 6, June 2006, pp. 31-35

 

Roth, an editor at Washington Monthly, argues that the current Republican-held Congress has abandoned the tradition of bipartisan congressional oversight. In the run-up to the midterm elections Republican committee chairs are "[keeping] a lid on investigations." Roth points to recent hearings on domestic wiretapping and Hurricane Katrina as situations where Republican chairs failed to subpoena the White House and the Justice Department, leading to paltry investigations. This is a historic break for Congress, which has traditionally investigated the White House regardless of who held the majority on Capitol Hill. Roth writes that proper investigations are needed to keep government honest, to uncover real mistakes and move the country forward.

 

7.    THE REMAKNG OF A UNIPOLAR WORLD

       Jervis, Robert

       Washington Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 3, Summer 2006, pp. 7-19

 

Jervis, professor of international politics at Columbia University, asserts that the U.S., as the current hegemon, would be expected to defend its unipolar status with conservative foreign policy. Jervis argues that the opposite is now true and that the U.S. is acting more like a revolutionary state than the dominating world power. At the end of the Cold War, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton sought to maintain unipolarity with a policy of short-lived selective engagements in international crises, as was the case in the Balkans. The new U.S. policy, however, is based on the belief that America's dominance will falter unless aggressive action is taken to preserve it. The U.S. has decided to create a world order in its own image, promoting liberal democracy the world over and using military action where necessary. The problem with this new ideology, Jervis says, is that the U.S. system was not designed to support an active foreign policy and it will be too expensive and produce instability that the American public will be reluctant to support.

 

8.    THE SIGNING STATEMENT GAMES

       Friel, Brian

       National Journal, Vol. 38, No. 24, June 17, 2006, pp. 65-66

 

The author notes that President Bush has made extensive use of signing statements on congressional bills. The president has written addendums on more than 100 laws that have crossed his desk, on the grounds that the newly minted laws limit constitutionally protected presidential power and hinder his role as commander-in-chief. Many members of Congress object to these actions, arguing that signing statements disrupt the balance of power and allow the administration to pick and choose legislation at will. Legal scholars conclude that signing statements are another example of the continual struggle between the executive and legislative branches, and that many agencies overseen by the White House actually do comply with the laws, despite the statements. While President Bush may add signing statements to laws, agencies still rely on Congress for funding, and ultimately departments and congressional committees cooperate to implement new legislation.

 

9.    WHY GOD IS WINNING

       Shah, Timothy Samuel; Toft, Monica Duffy

       Foreign Policy, vol. 155, July/August 2006, pp. 38-43

 

The authors write that modernization and the spread of democracy around the world are enhancing the reach of religious political movements. Religious groups that emerge from democratic processes, such as Hamas in the Palestinian Authority, tend to be more organized, more popular and more legitimate than perhaps religious leaders a few decades ago but not necessarily less violent. In the U.S. 2004 presidential election, religion was a stronger predictor of vote choice than gender, age or class. Although extreme religious ideology is a leading motivation for most transnational terrorist attacks, religion has also mobilized scores of people to oppose authoritarian regimes, inaugurate democratic transitions, support human rights and relieve human suffering. As a framework for predicting the course of global politics, secularism is unsound.

 

Economics and Trade

 

10.    BUSH'S NEXT CRISIS

         Maggs, John

         National Journal, vol. 38, no. 19, May 13, 2006, pp. 32-39

 

According to the author, three crises have shaped the Bush presidency: expanding the power of the presidency, managing the insurgency in Iraq, and handling Hurricane Katrina. The next one could involve the global economy, as the risk of emerging-market financial crises may be increasing; Maggs believes that America's borrowing binge is the No. 1 threat to the stability of the world economy. Bush has embraced multilateralism on economic matters, and the International Monetary Fund has made data more available to the world. Despite Bush's uneven record in assembling an economic team and the challenges of his almost solitary approach to foreign policy, a number of factors suggest that his administration is well positioned to respond to a global financial crisis. As a candidate in 2000, Bush was skeptical of financial bailouts -- but as president, he helped Argentina in 2002-2003. Four years after Argentina defaulted on its loans, President Nestor Kirchner announced in 2005 that his country would repay $9.8 billion lent by the IMF. At home, the U.S. has borrowed $5.3 trillion from foreigners since becoming a debtor in 1977. Fortunately, international economic institutions and cooperation have remained strong under Bush, and he has hired some experienced people, such as Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt and Timothy Adams, undersecretary for international affairs, who have the confidence of international bankers.

 

11.    THE GLOBALIZERS IN SEARCH OF A FUTURE: FOUR REASONS WHY THE  
         IMF AND WORLD BANK MUST CHANGE, AND FOUR WAYS THEY CAN

         Woods, Ngaire

         CGD Brief, April 2006, 6 pp.

 

Woods says the IMF and World Bank are being assailed for lacking legitimacy, independence and effectiveness. He elaborates on four main reasons these institutions need to change. First, their income is running out because they are over-reliant on the big borrowers who have largely paid off their loans; secondly, their traditional client countries are turning elsewhere because they see the IMF and World Bank as manipulative tools of the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, their use of conditionality has failed, however they have not found a new mechanism for managing loans; and they are also seen as being incapable of providing impartial policy advice since they answer to powerful countries first rather than to the borrowers. Nevertheless, Woods writes, the IMF and World Bank can ensure their future relevance if their reforms accomplish deep changes such as focusing on the borrowers, contributing to rather than hijacking a country's policy debates, involving borrowers in decision-making, and focusing on roles for which they have a unique capacity.

 

12.    THE PRESIDENT'S ROTTEN RECORD ON TRADE

         Bartlett, Bruce

         Reason, Vol. 38, No. 2, June 2006, pp. 48-55

 

Bartlett says that Bush is the most protectionist president since Hoover. Bush's repeated use of protectionist measures (steel tariffs, farm subsidies, Canadian lumber tariffs, Chinese textile restrictions) and preference for bilateral trade agreements has probably placed free trade in its weakest position since the 1920s, he asserts. The dangers associated with protectionism -- such as retaliatory protectionist moves and economic inefficiency -- will likely lead to future trade skirmishes and wars that will lower the living standards for all U.S. citizens, he writes.

 

13.    THE THREAT POSED BY TRANSNATIONAL POLITICAL CORRUPTION TO          
         GLOBAL COMMERCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT BANKING

         Mccormick, John T.; Paterson, Nancy

         Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 13, no. 2, 2006, pp. 183-194

 

McCormick and Paterson, of the Federal Reserve System's Special Investigation Section, discuss the threat that transnational political corruption poses to both the world's development banking and commercial banking sectors. Through case studies, they demonstrate how corrupt officials, using various fraudulent and corrupt schemes, steal funds from development banks and then launder the illicit proceeds into legitimate commercial banking systems around the world. These activities increase development and commercial banks' financial risks and put their reputations at stake. The most important factor in reducing this political corruption is political will and commitment, the authors assert. And, they note, development and commercial banks can only expect the risks from corruption to increase as more signatory nations to various anti-corruption treaties and conventions criminalize the bribery of foreign public officials.

 

14.    TODAY'S GOLDEN AGE OF POVERTY REDUCTION

         Bhalla, Surjit S.

         International Economy, Vol. 20, No. 2, Spring 2006, pp. 22-25,58

 

Bhalla, an Indian economist, says the claims that globalization increases poverty and inequality is simply false. In the last twenty years, over a billion people have moved out of poverty, he notes. And, he adds, poverty as a share of population has decreased by approximately 4 percent every twenty years from 1820 to 1950; 14 percent to 1980; and an astonishing 20 percent since 1980. The increases in poverty that organizations like the World Bank report are based purely on the number of poor, he explains, so while increased population does mean more poor, the numbers fail to reflect the even larger increase in number of people who have moved out of poverty. History has proven that economic liberalization leads to production efficiency, which leads to economic growth, which leads people out of poverty, Bhalla asserts. He also suggests that poverty reduction has been so successful that it is time to move the absolute poverty line to about two dollars a day.

 

15.    TWO MYTHS OF GLOBALIZATION

         Gottesman, A. Edward

         World Policy Journal, vol. 23, no. 1, Spring 2006, pp. 37-44

 

The author notes that an economic discussion of globalization has often focused on two widely accepted, but mainly misunderstood, theories. First, China is the "next economic superpower". The growth of the U.S. in the nineteenth century, then an underpopulated, resource-rich country, during the Industrial Revolution bears no resemblance to the export-dependent growth spurt that China, with limited natural resources, has experienced since 1979. The second myth is that the current-account deficit the U.S. has run for a number of years (about a third from trade with China) is "unsustainable" and will result in some global economic catastrophe. The author writes that if we want to make sense of globalization, we need to re-focus our thinking about globalization by not comparing apples (the mature Western industrial economies) with oranges (the economies of what used to be called the underdeveloped countries, now designated as developing countries or newly industrialized countries -- NCIs, for short). In a global free market, the accumulated wealth and productive resources built up over three hundred years in Europe and in North America are the main source of financing, either directly or indirectly, for the growth of these NCIs. Debunking these theories of globalization requires an attempt to put the world economy in perspective so that one can understand the complex and often fragile process of globalization.

 

Global Issues

 

16.    AN ANTI-ADDICTION PILL?

         Denizet-Lewis, Benoit

         New York Times Magazine, June 25, 2006, pp. 48-53

 

Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling and other habits has long been called a disease by some, and a "brain disorder" by others. Now, using advances in brain-imaging technology, scientists are beginning to understand the chemical reactions that cause addiction, and develop medications which may reduce or stop the addictive behaviors. The author discusses new discoveries in brain chemistry, experiments in developing and testing new medications, and the responses of pharmaceutical companies, addiction treatment organizations, and some addicts. Though medications may be a crucial treatment, curing addiction will always require more than a pill: "recovery is more than just taking a pill or maybe getting a shot," one addict says. "Recovery is also about the spirit, about dealing with a hole in the soul."

 

17.    BRAVE NUCLEAR WORLD?

         Charman, Karen

         World Watch, Vol. 19, No. 4, July/August 2006, pp. 12-18

The author examines the technical feasibility of managing nuclear power. The article begins with a quick review of the ongoing health impacts of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and then spotlights the serious concerns of several experts on the current oversight practices of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in managing aging American nuclear power plants. New designs, such as the pressurized water reactor (PWR) and related configurations may not meet the safety claims of the manufacturers. Nuclear waste disposal is a problem without a ready solution, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel is complex and expensive, leaving more waste to manage. The article concludes by stating that a significant increase in nuclear power production would not do enough to combat climate change and notes that increased investment in renewable energy is needed. This edition features the 2006 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners.

 

18.    INSIDE THE SPYWARE SCANDAL

         Roush, Wade

         Technology Review, May/June 2006, pg. 49-57

 

In 2005, Sony BMG Music Entertainment company put antipiracy software on their CDs. In doing so, they spied on their own customers and gave hackers the power to access people's computers. The author tells the story of how Sony installed secret software on its customers computers that prevented listeners from making more than three copies of their music, and secretly contacted Sony via the Internet every time a PC user played a copy-protected disk. The scandal ignited a dispute in the public sphere over the ways consumers should be allowed to use copyrighted digital information, and over how far copyright holders can go to secure their intellectual property against piracy.

 

19.    LIFE LESSONS: HOW SOAP OPERAS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

         Rosin, Hannah

         New Yorker, Vol. 82, No. 16, June 5, 2006, pp. 40-45

 

Drama serials, originating in the 1950s in the United States as long-running daytime "soap operas," have proven to be the most enduring and popular form of television programming. Now known worldwide as telenovelas, these TV and radio programs are being transformed in many countries as vehicles to teach literacy, combat AIDS, fight domestic abuse, and encourage civic participation. The article describes how New York-based Population Communications International works with the United Nations and USAID, as well as grassroots community groups and social workers, to develop scripts that reflect the cultures and traditions of their audiences in poor countries while transmitting messages of empowerment.

 

20.    RESCUING A PLANET UNDER STRESS

         Brown, Lester R.

         Futurist, vol. 40, no. 4, July-August 2006, pp. 18-25

 

The Earth cannot sustain the levels of energy and resource consumption of the Western lifestyle if it is adopted by hundreds of millions of people in developing nations, writes the president of the Earth Policy Institute. The world must move toward a new economic model powered by renewable energy -- such as wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels -- and by a manufacturing strategy which designs and creates all products for ultimate recycling. Technology and knowledge of how to achieve this new economic model is well within the human grasp, if not already available, but making the transition before economic decline and environmental collapse begin is the difficult thing. Brown suggests movement to an honest market which gives weight to factors currently overlooked or ignored -- the indirect prices of production, the cost of environmental damage and consequences to future generations.

Regional Security

 

21.    A BREATHER FOR THE ALLIANCE

         Stokes, Bruce

         National Journal, Vol. 38, No. 21, May 27, 2006, pp. 58-59

 

While acknowledging that U.S.-European relations have improved recently, the author suggests that U.S. policymakers are "ignoring the still-perilous state" of the trans-Atlantic alliance. He points out that "Anti-Americanism in Europe has never been stronger ... and people there share a rising sense that the war in Iraq has made the world a more dangerous place." In addition, he notes European support for the wider American-led war on terrorism is falling. Because of continuing policy disagreements, rising anti-Americanism, and the domestic political weakness of Bush, Blair, and Chirac, he expects "more oratory than substance" at the June 21 U.S.-European Union summit in Vienna. Stokes says that the Bush administration could improve relations by not gratuitously aggravating the situation by such things as Vice President Cheney's recent criticisms of Russia, by not reminding Europeans that the military option remains open regarding Iran, and by closing Guantanamo.

 

22.    HOW TO THINK ABOUT TERRORISM

         Betts, Richard K.

         Wilson Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 1, Winter 2006, pp. 44-49

 

Richard Betts, professor at Columbia University and member of the National Commission on Terrorism, discusses the difficulty of anticipating and preventing terrorist attacks. Americans have faith that, through more advanced technologies, better-trained people, and more organized bureaucracies, future acts of terror can be thwarted. What will be needed most, though, to counter terrorism is good intelligence. The number of potential terror threats is limitless, while the resources to combat terrorism are limited. The real key to fighting future terrorism will not be inventive intelligence nor technological or bureaucratic fixes, but the use of public diplomacy to sway populations at risk of creating terrorist acts.

 

23.    THE LONG SMALL WAR: INDIGENOUS FORCES FOR
         COUNTERINSURGENCY

         Cassidy, Robert M.

         Parameters, vol. 36, no. 2, Summer 2006, pp. 15-29

 

Robert Cassidy, a major in the U.S. Army, discusses the potential use of indigenous forces in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Citing examples from past wars, Cassidy argues that properly utilizing these forces could lead to "achieved significant results." Among these results are exponential increases in the forces prosecuting counterinsurgency, better knowledge of the terrain and environment, and more actionable intelligence about the enemy. Although misuse can lead to vulnerabilities, the deliberate and early employment of indigenous forces can expand the quality and quantity of forces conducting pacification and counter-insurgency, leading to an effective method in achieving success in today's war. 

 

24.    RUSSIA LEAVES THE WEST

         Trenin, Dmitri

         Foreign Affairs, vol. 85, no. 4, July/August 2006, pp. 87-96

 

Trenin, deputy director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, writes that relations between Russia and the West "have begun to fray," noting that Russia has given up on becoming "part of the West and have started creating their own Moscow-centered system." Europeans and the U.S. criticize the situation, even though the West is also to blame for the shift in Russian foreign policy. Meager attempts at integration granted Russia "privileged treatment" but not a membership in the EU or NATO. Kept at arms distance, Russia pushed further away. With an improved financial situation, Russia is once again acting like a great power and treating former Soviet republics as a priority. Trenin suggests the West rethink its approach, treat Russia as an outside major player, and recognize "Russia-bashing is futile."

 

25.    SEVEN QUESTIONS: NORTH KOREA'S NUKES -- INTERVIEW WITH DON
         OBERDORFER

          --

         Foreign Policy, Web Exclusive, Posted June 28, 2006

 

In response to the international reaction to North Korea's expressed intention to test a ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States, Foreign Policy interviewed Don Oberdorfer, former Washington Post correspondent and currently distinguished journalist in residence at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. According to Oberdorfer, North Korea has taken this step primarily for domestic reasons. Some of the sanctions that were lifted in 1998 in response to North Korea's agreement to a moratorium on further tests have been reimposed and they are not receiving the benefits they expected from the agreement. He sees military strikes against North Korea as "very foolish" and sees Vice President Cheney's comments as indicating that the administration sees this issue the same way. He does not see an imminent economic collapse of North Korea, but he does see the possibility of Japan's "moving toward a more robust military posture" due to North Korean provocation. He also supports direct U.S. talks with the North Koreans.

 

26.    TRANSFORMING THE U.S. GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE

         Henry, Ryan

         Naval War College Review, Vol. 59, No. 2, Spring 2006, pp. 12-28

 

The author, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, served in the military for 24 years and also worked in the private sector with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Pointing out that "the security environment at the start of the twenty-first century is perhaps the most uncertain it has been in our nation's history," he focuses on the factors that are driving the continuing transformation to allow the military to deal with this uncertainty and the changes involving the Defense Department concerning "our relationships and partnership capabilities around the world." He provides some historical background about transformation and describes four types of security challenges - traditional, irregular, catastrophic, and disruptive. He also discusses the five key themes of the global defense posture strategy and provides a region-by-region synopsis of the changes that are taking place, and concludes, "Collectively, proposed posture changes provide a framework for our alliance and defense commitments overseas and for harmonizing our forces' skill sets with the shifting uncertainties of that new landscape. Global, geopolitical circumstances will continue to change, our relationships with allies and partners will evolve, and our capabilities will mature."

 

27.    TROUBLES WITH THE RUSSIAN BEAR

         Stokes, Bruce

         National Journal, Vol. 38, No. 17, April 29, 2006, pp. 75-76

 

National Journal columnist Bruce Stokes notes that "Russia and the West are descending into a new Cold War marked by clashing strategic interests, the rise of Russian authoritarianism and economic corruption, Bush administration preoccupation with the war on terrorism and the 'axis of evil,' and what former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright calls 'growing mutually assured paranoia.'" While acknowledging that the blame for the deteriorating relations is shared, Stokes places most of the responsibility on Moscow and "the way the former command-and-control socialist economy has evolved into a kind of oligarchic and corrupt capitalism." In addition to economic carrots and sticks, the West should offer Russia full membership in NATO or "create a joint Russian-NATO brigade and open a dialogue over reducing the number of tactical nuclear weapons in Western Europe." Even if Russia refused, it would make it harder "for Putin to portray NATO as the enemy." He argues that it is essential that the two countries not return to an adversarial relationship.

 

28.    THE U.N. LOOKS NEXT TO THE EAST

         Hirsch, Steve

         National Journal, Vol. 38, No. 21, May 27, 2006, p. 54

 

The author, a freelance writer based in Washington, DC, discusses the current thinking regarding the successor to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. There is widespread agreement that the new secretary-general will come from Asia, since there hasn't been an Asian in the position since U Thant in 1971. He quotes a "source close to the Security Council" as saying that he is "'99 percent sure' the next secretary-general will be Asian." After listing several declared and undeclared candidates, Hirsch points out that many of the officials he interviewed said that they expected a surprise candidate to be selected. The U.S. administration prefers a secretary-general who is a "top-notch manager -- a CEO type who could guide the United Nations through a period of reform," but there is growing support for a "political" secretary-general who can unite the organization.

 

29.    THE U.S. MILITARY'S MANPOWER CRISIS

         Kagan, Frederick W.

         Foreign Affairs, vol. 85, no. 4, July/August 2006, pp. 97-110

 

As the Bush administration continues to emphasize long-range strike capabilities over land forces, the U.S. military struggles with insufficient personnel. Kagan, an Associate Professor at West Point, reveals how the "revolution in military affairs" ideal and military quality-of-life improvements lead to a shortage in ground forces and are creating a potential disaster in Iraq. The lack of manpower increases the number of tours a soldier experiences while morale and recruitment rates plummet. While air power may achieve a temporary military victory, only troops on the ground can provide territorial control over a longer period. Kagan points out that training soldiers is a lengthy process, and the enemy is learning to exploit this vulnerability.

 

U.S. Society and Values

 

30.    ALL ROADS LEAD THROUGH AMERICA: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE
         INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

         Sciolla, Angelina

         AAA World, July/August 2006, pp. 62-68, including sidebars

 

A half-century after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act of 1956, thus launching one of the most ambitious infrastructure endeavors in U.S. history, the Interstate Highway System underscores how much America has changed -- much for the better, but not without a bit of nostalgia for the less complicated life of days long past. The 1956 legislation launched the construction of superhighways with wider lanes designed to accommodate higher speeds, with no intersections, traffic signals or rail crossings to interfere with the steady flow. Today, more than 46,000 miles of highway crisscross the nation, forming a system that includes 82 tunnels, some 14,000 interchanges and more than 55,000 bridges. Over the years, the establishment of this system has changed the tourism industry and vacation habits and led to the ubiquitous "weekend getaway" that has been embraced by the traveling public.

 

31.    SMALL BUSINESS, BIG RETURNS

         Terry-Azios, Diana A.

         Agenda, Summer 2006, pp. 22-26

 

With a growth rate of 82 percent since 1997, Hispanic-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing in the United States. Hispanic women actually lead that growth: approximately 35 percent of Hispanic firms are owned by women. And the momentum isn't slowing, according to a U.S. Internal Revenue Service report, which predicts that by 2007, Hispanics will own one of every 10 small businesses. If the prospect of owning a business is intimidating to some, nevertheless, others find that business ownership opens many doors for them. If the future of the Hispanic community's well-being depends on the future of its business development, it appears that the outlook is positive.

 

32.    A SURVEY OF WEALTH AND PHILANTHROPY

         Bishop, Matthew Et Al.

         Economist, vol. 378, no. 8466, February 25, 2006, special insert, 16 pp.

 

"It's very, very striking that the new philanthropists, the likes of Bill Gates or Pierre Omidyar, who founded eBay, or Thomas Hunter, the Scottish retailer, who are coming into the field, are all very concerned about how do we make sure that our money isn't wasted, that it actually does make a difference. And they're rethinking the way philanthropy is done," asserts Bishop while discussing the first article of the survey: "The Business of Giving." The next article, "To Have, Not to Hold," addresses the rise of the new philanthropist, a product of the recent creation of vast global wealth. "The Birth of Philanthrocapitalism" compares the new philanthropists, who see themselves as social investors, with the founders of more traditional foundations. "The Good Company" asks: "Is corporate philanthropy worthwhile?" in light of the recent scrutiny given corporate philanthropy since the collapse of Enron. Additional articles treat "The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur," "Virtue's Intermediaries" (new businesses that are trying to make philanthropy work better), and "Faith, Hope and Philanthropy," which looks at the techniques the new philanthropists are using to improve the management of charities, non-profits, NGOs, and the social sector. The survey is accompanied by several useful charts and graphs.

 

33.    WHAT IS RETIREMENT FOR?

         Achenbaum, W. Andrew

         Wilson Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 2, Spring 2006, pp. 50-56

 

The author reviews the history of aging, retirement and financial security in the United States and puts the retirement of today's Baby Boomer generation in context. People are living and staying healthier longer and are making up an-ever increasing proportion of the population. "Now more than ever," he says, "we need to form a clearer collective conception of what retirement out to be." It is his expectation that the workforce will be more flexible and allow older employees to work part time or on a project-to-project basis. Many Boomers, he predicts, will become volunteers as their parents have done. This article is one of a series of this publication's essays that deal with "The Sovereign State of Retirement," the title of this Spring's edition.

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