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NEWS NOTES
August 2004
NewsNotes
is a monthly email update of goings-on at ECAAR. In it you will
find information on current projects, announcements of upcoming
events and publications, and an action corner. We would like to
include information on what our members are doing. If you would
like to submit information about an event or publication that you
are involved with, please send an email to theaharvey@ecaar.org.
(The fine print - we reserve the right to edit submissions for space
or content.)
*ECAAR NEWS*
* Measuring Inequality in Latin America. This workshop/meeting
was held in San Jose, Costa Rica in August 2004, and will serve
as a template for similar sessions in Monterrey, Mexico in November
and in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in January 2005. The result of these
meetings will be a new network for monitoring inequality through
the whole Central and Latin American region.
The workshop consisted of eight sessions, conducted in English
by James Galbraith, Chair of Ecaar's Board and Director of the Univeristy
of Texas Inequality Project, and in Spanish by Enrique Garcilazo,
co-author with Dr. Galbraith of the recent paper "Unemployment,
Inequality and the Policy of Europe, 1984-2000," in the Banca
Nazionale del Lavoro Quarterly Review. The participants were senior
economists and (in several cases) former ministers from Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
Papers, presentations, and training materials will be posted on
the ECAAR website soon.
* Two new policy briefs, commissioned by ECAAR as part of
our project on "Inequality and Democratic Development,"
are available online:
These briefs were part of the conference on "Natural Resource-Based
Economies in the Arc of Instability," held in Sydney, Australia
in April 2004 (see http://www.ecaar.org/Newsletter/July04/throsby.htm
for a full conference report).
* Measuring Inequality, a PowerPoint presentation which
explains various measures of income inequality, is available on
the ECAAR website. This presentation was prepared by Paul Burkholder,
ECAAR's Project Manager, as part of our project on "Inequality
and Democratic Development." See http://www.ecaar.org/Inequality/powerpoint/measuring%20inequality_files/frame.htm
* ECAAR is co-sponsoring a session at the August 28th Win Back
America Freedom Forum. The day will feature a session on homeland
security and civil rights; and one on corporate corruption and its
relationship to the military and the economy. The event
will take place at the City University Graduate Center, in New York
City, from 11am-5:30pm, and will also feature an interactive "Medicine
Show" exhibit, discussing Medicare reform. For more information
contact Sumner Rosen at (212) 580-9787 or smr6@columbia.edu,
or Judith Wineman at (917) 748-9169 or judita5153@yahoo.com.
* ECAAR-Russia announces its Newsletter # 10, July 2004.
To read it please go to http://www.ecaar-russia.org/newsletter10_en.htm
or http://www.fastcenter.ru/ecaar.
This new issue is fully devoted to current problems and prospects
of the Russian economy. It includes, among other materials: Money-Box
Philosophy, an essay by Ruslan Grinberg; Russian Socio-Economic
Development, an interview with Abel Aganbegyan; Growth Factors
According to the World Bank; a press presentation of Stanislav
Menshikov's new book, "Anatomy of Russian Capitalism;"
and a discussion between economists called, "Looking into
the Future."
* ECAAR-Netherlands/Vereniging voor Economie en Vrede is co-sponsoring,
along with the Oikos Foundation, and the faculty of Economics and
Econometrics at the University of Amsterdam, and with support from
Kerk en Wereld (Church and World), a symposium in honor of Jan
Tinbergen on September 22, at the main lecture hall of the University
of Amsterdam. The symposium is entitled, "Will the 21st
Century Be More Peaceful?" Dietrich Fischer, member of
ECAAR's Board of Directors and co-author with Jan Tinbergen of "Warfare
and Welfare," will give the keynote address. The speech
will be followed by a reaction from Louk de la Rive Box, chariman
of the Dutch Association for the UN, and by Maboob Murshed, first
holder of the Prince Claus Chair on Development and Equity.
In the afternoon, there will be a discussion focusing on Dr. Tinbergen's
ideas about the future, with discussants from political youth organizations.
During the second half of the afternoon, the Issac Roet Prize will
be awarded. The prize is awarded each year to an outstanding student
essay. This year the topic was, "The distribution of wealth
and income: a question of war and peace." The winning
essay was by Princeton student Moses Shayo, for "Poverty,
Militarism and Civil War." ( To read an extract from Mr.
Shayo's essay see http://www.ecaar.org/Newsletter/July04/shayo.htm.)
The evening of the symposium will feature a roundtable discussion
with Dietrich Fischer and Mr. Shayo.
The overall focus of the syposium is Jan Tinbergen's
vision of problems of security and peace, and his ideas about peace
and their contemporary relevance. The program will be in English
except for the first afternoon panel, which will be conducted in
Dutch. For more information contact Janine Huisman, by phone at
0031 30 236 1 500, or by email at j.huisman@stichtingoikos.nl.
To download a registration form in Dutch go to http://www.fee.uva.nl/actueel/object.cfm/tinbergen%20symposium.pdf?download=
true&objectID=DBDBEC56%2D78A5%2D40CC%2DBB7653B838BB8FED .
* Wolfram Elsner, chair of ECAAR-Germany, invites you to organize
a session at the 2005 EAEPE conference in Bremen, Germany. The
European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy (EAEPE)
offers an important pluralist international discussion forum for
heterodox economists and issues in a broad sense, and in terms of
its membership it represents one of the biggest economics associations
in Europe. In preparation of the 2005 annual meetings, the EAEPE
Council has decided to make this event a broad international discussion
forum and to invite guest associations and initiatives from a broad
political-economic spectrum to contribute their own themes, sessions
and panels. EAEPE's Scientific Committee will be glad to consider
your suggestions for the final programme.
The title of next year's meetings is A New Deal for the New
Economy? Global and Local Developments, and New Institutional Arrangements.
The globalization of production is accompanied by an increasing
fragmentation of the value added chains. These changes may provide
opportunities for development and improvements in overall economic
well-being. Innovative activities play a key role to realize this
potential. On the other hand these transformations bear increasing
risks for conflict, interventionism and even terrorism as a result
of worsening global inequalities. Different forms of socio-economic
coordination and cooperation problems require the development of
coordinating and conflict mediating institutional arrangements.
The EAEPE Conference 2005 will offer a forum for discussing these
topics. Please contact Dr. Elsner by telephone at +49-421-218-7535,
or email elsner@uni-bremen.de
for more information.
*IN OTHER NEWS*
* Frida Berrigan, of the ECAAR Security Policy Working Group partner
World Policy Institute, recently had an article published on Alternet
about Mass Destruction in Small Packages. "The
most deadly weapons in the world today are legal, accessible and
dirt cheap. And the United States is spreading them around the world."
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/19285/
* The Stimson Center recently announced the publication of "Policy
Matters: Educating Congress on Peace and Security,"
a nuts-and-bolts guide to the inner workings of Congress to help
Americans who care about foreign policy and responsible US leadership
in the world initiate the much-needed dialogue with Congress and
add their voices to the debate about these critical issues. The
book is expected to be useful to activists, NGOs and citizens who
wish to have a greater voice with their representatives. It can
be downloaded or purchased in print at http://www.stimson.org/pub.cfm?id=110.
Also, if your organization is interested in further training, the
authors of the book, Lorelei Kelly and Elizabeth Turpen, are available
to give a training presentation at your organization or event. Contact
Elizabeth Blumenthal for more information about training sessions
at (202) 223 5956, ext 3644, or at
eblumenthal@stimson.org .
* A study recently released by the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) says that reservists' pay is a mess. Ninety-five
percent of soldiers at eight Army Reserve units sent to Iraq and
other Middle East bases experienced significant problems getting
paid, creating stress and concern about the financial well-being
of their families back home. "The consequences of inaccurate,
late and missing payments and associated erroneous debts had a profound
impact on individual soldiers and their families," said the
prepared testimony of GAO investigator Gregory D. Kutz. "At
one unit several soldiers told us that they had to borrow money
from friends and relatives in order to pay their bills when they
initially deployed overseas. Soldiers and their families were required
to spend considerable time, sometimes while the soldiers were deployed
in remote, hostile environments overseas, in repeated attempts to
address concerns over their pay and allowances and related tax benefits,"
according to Kutz's testimony.
Soldiers involved in the investigation said the pay issues hurt
morale and the Army Reserve's rate of retention. "You never
want to mess with a soldier's money. That's a cardinal rule,"
said Army Capt. Orlando Amaro. "When a soldier has financial
issues, the morale just goes through the floor." http://www.roa.org/military_section/army_detail.asp?id=2760
* With tens of thousands of their citizen soldiers now deployed
in Iraq, many of the nation's governors complained to senior Pentagon
officials of the war in Iraq's impact on local needs, at
the annual meeting of the nation's governors in Seattle in July.
States are facing severe manpower shortages in guarding prisoners,
fighting wildfires, preparing for hurricanes and floods and policing
the streets. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/national/20guard.html?ex=1092283200&en=102621ed3fd7a4f1&ei=5070&hp
* A new study from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
reports on "Cultural Liberty in Today's Diverse World."
Accommodating people's growing demands for their inclusion in society,
for respect of their ethnicity, religion, and language, takes more
than democracy and equitable growth. Also needed are multicultural
policies that recognize differences, champion diversity and promote
cultural freedoms, so that all people can choose to speak their
language, practice their religion, and participate in shaping their
culture - so that all people can choose to be who they are. Read
the full report at http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/
* The Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR), an international
human rights organization based in New York City, calls the Bush
administration to task in Beyond Torture: U.S. Violations
of Occupation Law in Iraq (28 pages, PDF). The report, written
by international lawyer and center director Roger Normand, documents
ten categories of human rights violations in Iraq, including unlawful
attacks; failure to provide public order and safety; failure to
protect the rights to food, education, and work; and unlawful detention
and torture. According to the report, up to 90 percent of the 43,000
Iraqis detained by coalition forces are innocent bystanders swept
up in illegal mass arrests; 60 percent of the Iraqi population depends
on monthly food rations; and the country's education system is in
shambles. Among its recommendations, the center, which is accredited
by the United Nations, urges the United States to take more accountability
for its actions in Iraq and to put a stop to further violations.
http://www.cesr.org/beyondtorture.pdf
*FUNDING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES*
* The International Action network on Small Arms (IANSA) has three
staff positions open in their London office: Policy Officer,
Communications Officer and Campaigns Officer. Job descriptions
and application forms are posted on the website http://www.iansa.org/about/jobs/index.htm.
The closing date is August 18,2004.
* The Managing the Atom Project at the Kennedy School of Government
is looking to hire a Research Assistant. The Managing the
Atom (MTA) Project brings together an international group of scholars
and government officials to conduct policy-relevant research on
issues related to nuclear technology. MTA addresses a broad array
of topics in the nuclear field, from nuclear weapons to the future
of nuclear power. Visit http://www.managingtheatom.org
for more information about the project, its scope, and its role
at the Kennedy School of Government.
The position works with other research, faculty and staff assistants
supporting projects within the Belfer Center for Science and International
Affairs, including the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program
and the International Security Program. College background preferred,
minimum 2 years of administrative and office experience required.
Prior Harvard experience useful. Strong organizational skills and
ability to work with people in a fast-paced professional environment
a must. Some knowledge of and interest in radiological weapons,
nonproliferation and other nuclear issues. Familiarity with relevant
regions and languages a plus. If you are interested in applying,
please contact the Project at atom@harvard.edu
for more details on the application process.
* FCNL, a nonpartisan Quaker lobby in the public interest located
in Washington, DC, seeks a Secretary for Information Services.
This is a professional, executive position. The Quaker term "Secretary"
may be translated as "Director." The Secretary for Information
Services is a new senior staff position and will oversee the full
range of FCNL's communications needs, including publications, web
site, other online communications, and press secretary functions.
The Secretary will lead and direct a group of three other professional
staff: the Manager for Publications (newsletter and other documents),
the Director for Online Communications (web site and other), and
the Technician for IT Systems. She or he will take the lead in developing
FCNL's communications capacities, assist lobbyists and organizers
to shape communications strategies for issues, and assist the Executive
Secretary to assure the quality and effectiveness of FCNL's communication
of information, analysis, and policy recommendations.
The Secretary for Information Services is a full-time, salaried
position requiring five or more years related experience and a three-
to five-year commitment. Salary range: $46,400 to $69,700, plus
benefits package, including group health, annual and sick leave,
disability insurance, and public transit subsidy. FCNL will begin
reviewing applications Sept. 15 until the position is filled. To
apply, email a business letter and resume to search@fcnl.org
or mail to 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795.
* The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies
are designed to support exceptionally promising students as they
pursue advanced study in the disciplines of the humanities. The
fellowships are funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation ( http://www.mellon.org/
) and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
The Mellon Fellowship is a competitive award for first-year doctoral
students only and cannot be deferred. Mellon Fellows are expected
to carry a full course load during the nine-month academic year
of the fellowship. Summer study is not included. Fellows may not
accept supplementary awards or employment, including teaching assistantships.
Fellows may take their awards to any accredited graduate program
in the United States or Canada.
Each year, approximately 85 fellowships are available. The fellowship
covers full graduate tuition and required fees for the first year
of graduate study and includes a one-year stipend of $17,500. In
order to be eligible to apply for a Mellon Fellowship, applicants
must be a college senior or college graduate applying for graduate-school
admission, in accordance with normal procedures, for a Ph.D. program.
The Ph.D. program should begin in September 2005. An applicant's
intended discipline must be in the traditional humanities. (See
the program's Web site for the list of eligible fields.) Applicants
must also be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Requests for an application form must be made through the Woodrow
Wilson National Fellowship Foundation's Web site. See the web site
for complete eligibility information, application procedures, suggested
GRE test deadline, and other program details http://www.woodrow.org/mellon/competition_2005.html.
The deadline for requests for applications is November 12, 2004.
NOTE: This site works best in Internet Explorer 5.0 or above.
*ECAAR PUBLICATIONS*
* The ECAAR Review 2003.
Titled "Conflict or Development?" this edition
has a regional focus on Africa, the site of most of the world's current armed conflicts.
In its pages some of the leading economists of the day analyze and
reflect on the relationships among military spending, domestic and
foreign policy, security, and human welfare. Features include country
studies and sections on business and conflict and "Trends in
World Military Expenditure." Written in clear English, with
informative maps, tables, and graphs, the series is designed to
inform the debate among policymakers, activists, journalists, academics,
students, and citizens worldwide.
You can order the Review at http://www.ecaar.org/Review_files/order.htm
We believe the Review can be a valuable teaching tool in economics,
political science, and international relations courses. If
you are interested in teaching this book, please contact Kate Cell
(katecell@ecaar.org) for a copy to review.
* "The Full Cost of Ballistic Missile Defense" The study
estimates that the total life-cycle cost for a layered missile defense
system could reach $1.2 trillion through 2035. You can order
a copy of the report from the co-sponsor of the study, http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/nmd/fullcost.html,
or download the PDF file from http://www.ecaar.org/index.htm.
*ACTION CORNER*
* Everyone is urging you to vote, but where do you get more than
sound bites about the candidates? The Friends Committee on National
Legislation (FCNL) voting information page. Enter your zip code
to look up your presidential, congressional and state-level candidates,
including their positions on key issues like the economy, the US
role in Iraq, and education. Find information on absentee ballots
for military and civilians, your state's voting machines and polling
stations, and other how-tos at http://www.fcnl.org/elections_2004.htm
* Your vote matters. In the US, register to vote,
or update your address or party affiliation, at https://www.workingforchange.com/vote/index.cfm?ms=G00001
* Anyone who would be willing to put an ECAAR flyer up on a departmental
bulletin board or similar venue, please contact Thea Harvey, Development
Manager at theaharvey@ecaar.org.
*UPCOMING EVENTS*
* September 22, 2004. ECAAR-Netherlands/Vereniging voor Economie
en Vrede, along with the Oikos Foundation, and the faculty of Economics
and Econometrics at the University of Amsterdam, host a symposium
in honor of Jan Tinbergen, at the main lecture hall of the Univ.
of Amsterdam. The symposium is entitled, "Will the 21st
Century Be More Peaceful?" See above for more details or
contact Janine Huisman, by phone at 0031 30 236
1 500, or by email at j.huisman@stichtingoikos.nl.
* September 29 - October 1, 2004. International Society for Military
Law and the Law of War conference on "The Role of NGOs in
International Problem Solving." In English and French with
Simultaneous Translation. At the Royal Military Academy Brussels.
http://www.soc-mil-law.org
* September 29 - October 2, 2004. Engineers for
a Sustainable World National Conference, Stanford, California
http://www.stanford.edu/group/esw/conf04/
* October 3-4, 2004. On the occasion of the 54th
Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, International Student/Young
Pugwash is organizing its 2nd annual conference in Seoul, Korea,
"Towards a New Paradigm of International Governance."
The theme of the meeting is finding novel mechanisms to ensure
human security and peaceful dialogue among nations for the years
to come. Discussions will include: eliminating WMDs, interregional
cooperation and security, securing and reinforcing International
Institutions, human security and international governance, and sustainability
and future development. http://www.student-pugwash.org/seoul2004
* October 5-9, 2004. 54th Pugwash Conference
on Science and World Affairs. Seoul, Korea. http://www.pugwash.org/reports/rc/ea/EA2004/seoul2004.htm
*
October 28-31, 2004, Annual Meetings of EAEPE, the
European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy, in Rethymnon,
Crete (Greece). More information is available
at http://www.institutionaleconomics.org/eaepe.php?q=node/view/92
* November 22-26, 2004. Peacebuilding, Conflict
Transformation & Post War Reconstruction and Resolution. A
Five-Day International Training Programme for Practitioners, Policy
Makers, International and National Agency Staff and NGOs working
in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and post-war recovery,
at the Romanian Peace Institute in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Sponsored
by TRANSCEND and PATRIR. Cost €450 -
€750. http://www.transcend.org/tpu/courses.shtml.
*HOW CAN I HELP?*
* If you are considering buying a book online, please
take a look at WhatWeGive.com (http://www.whatwegive.com/).
They have tens of thousands of titles available at a discount to
you, and ECAAR receives twenty percent of your purchase price. After
you check out, a pop up window will ask for information about the
organization to which you wish your donation to go. Enter Ogranizational
Account # 32 and "Economists Allied for Arms Reduction"
in the organization field, and your purchase will be credited to
our account.
* Please consider becoming a member of ECAAR. Your
annual membership entitles you to discounts on publications, invitations
to events, our informative newsletters, and more. Most importantly,
by joining us you help to ensure that reasoned perspectives on essential
economic issues will continue to be heard. Membership dues and other
donations are fully tax-deductible. Visit http://www.ecaar.org/Membership.htm
for more information.
* If you have enjoyed this issue of ECAAR NewsNotes,
or if you wish to support our mission, please consider making a
donation to ECAAR. You can do so securely online through our website
at https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal196/contribute.asp or by sending a check to ECAAR, 39 E. Central Ave., Suite One,
Pearl River, NY 10965. If you have any questions call (845) 620-1542,
or email ecaar@ecaar.org.
*For more information about ECAAR, please visit our website www.ecaar.org
*To contribute to NewsNotes, please send an email to theaharvey@ecaar.org
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