Please join
Economists for Peace and Security
at a dinner honoring
Paul Krugman

Saturday, January 5, 2008
6:30pm - 10:00pm
at the Sheraton New Orleans

Speakers will include: Sylvia Nasar, Maurice Obstfeld, and Joseph Stiglitz.

Host Committee: Honorary Co-chairs: Paul A. Samuelson and Robert Solow; Chair: James K. Galbraith; Committee members: Dean Baker, Michael A. Bernstein, Jagdish Bhagwati, Donald Davis, Brad DeLong, Jorge Braga de Macedo, Avinash K. Dixit, Jeffrey Frankel, Gordon Hanson, Edward (Monty) Graham, Pentti J.K. Kouri, Robert Z. Lawrence, Richard Medley, Sylvia Nasar, Maurice Obstfeld, Anthony Venables, and David Warsh.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $125.

Register online at http://www.epsusa.org/events/eventregistration.htm
or email Thea Harvey (theaharvey@epsusa.org) to RSVP.

The ASSA/AEA (Allied Social Science Associations/American Economics Association) meetings will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 4 - 6, 2008. EPS is organizing three sessions this year:

• Friday, January 4 at 10:15am - The Plight of the Soldier, in the Sheraton New Orleans, Napoleon C2 room. Chair: Thea Harvey, EPS Executive Director.
  • The All-volunteer Force and the Long War: When and How should we Reinstitute Conscription? Lawrence Korb, Center for American Progress
  • The American Soldier: Carrying the Entire Load for the Bush Administration? Major General Paul Eaton, United States Army (retired)
  • The Effect of Activation on the Post-Activation Earnings of Reservists. David Loughran, RAND Corporation; Jacob Klerman, Abt Associates
  • Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan: Impediments to Securing Disability Benefits and Medical Care. Linda Bilmes, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
• Friday, January 4 at 2:30pm - A Roundtable on Climate Change, Hurricane Katrina and Related Issues, in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Chair: James Galbraith, EPS Chair.
  • Paul Krugman, Princeton University
  • Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University
  • Howard Kunreuther, University of Pennsylvania
  • Marcellus Andrews, Barnard College
• Saturday, January 5 at 2:30pm - The Future of the Defense Budget, in the Sheraton New Orleans, Napoleon C2 room. Chair: Michael Lind, New America Foundation.
• Five Years of War: Reassessing the Economic Cost of Conflict in Iraq. Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University; Linda Bilmes, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
• A Cost/Benefit Analysis of Large Military Budgets. Barbara Bergmann, American University
• Weapons Systems that Don't Work for Threats that Don't Exist. Winslow Wheeler, Strauss Military Reform Project, Center for Defense Information
• The Next Peace Dividend. Richard Kaufman, Bethesda Research Institute

In addition, we will hold our usual events:

• Table in the Exhibit Hall -booth #439, right next to the coffee area.
• Saturday, January 5 at 5:30pm - Annual Membership Meeting. All are welcome to come and hear the annual report in the Sheraton New Orleans Rampart room.
• Saturday, January 5 at 6:30pm -Annual Dinner, in honor of Paul Krugman in the Sheraton New Orleans Rhythm Ballroom. See above for more information.
• Sunday, January 6 at 10:00am - Annual Joint Fellows/Board Meeting in the Sheraton New Orleans Evergreen room.

Call for Papers: The Twelfth Annual Conference on Economics and Security will take place June 11 - 13, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey.

Over the last few decades, economic analysis of security issues has been crucial for public policy makers, with billions of dollars being spent on security related products and services each year and crucial peace making and keeping actions also playing an important role in European policy making. With the integration and the enlargement of the European Union, questions regarding the common understanding of economics of security have to be critically reconsidered, both theoretically and empirically.

Offers of papers regarding these issues are invited for this conference sponsored by Economists for Peace and Security, Middle East Technical University, Turkish Scientific and Research Council (TÜBİTAK), and the University of the West of England. Deadline for submission of abstracts is March 17, 2008.

The complete call for papers is at http://carecon.org.uk/Conferences/Conf2008/Call2008.pdf

Further details about the conference are at http://www.stps.metu.edu.tr/conference08/

Vol. 2, No. 2 - Symposia: Water, Trade, Insurgency of the Economics of Peace and Security Journal is now online.

One of the benefits of membership in EPS is a 25% discounted subscription to the Economics of Peace and Security Journal. Regular one-year subscriptions are $40 per year; for EPS members the one-year subscription is $30.

The Journal is a peer-reviewed online publication hosted by EPS-UK. Published twice yearly, it raises and debates all issues related to the political economy of personal, communal, national, international, and global peace and security. Past contributors have included Joseph Stiglitz, James Galbraith, and Lawrence Klein. The Journal's website also includes book reviews submitted by members and subscribers.

For more information or to subscribe to the Journal, please visit: http://www.epsjournal.org.uk/

To become a member of EPS (and to qualify for the subscription discount) please visit: http://www.epsusa.org/membership/membership.htm

EPS Fellow John Tepper Marlin has posted a resume of estimates of the costs of the war in Iraq on Huffinton Post under the title Why Estimates of the Cost of the War in Iraq Have Been Rising.

He lists six reasons for the variation and continuing rise of cost estimates for the Iraq War:

• The cost of invasion is a down payment. The cost of exit continues for years.
• If the war is financed by borrowing, some estimates may add interest costs.
• Costs are borne by the US taxpayer, but also by others. Costs may be added relating to costs borne by individuals, especially military personnel, or by the economy.
• War is cruel and combatants bear the brunt of it. Unexpected new costs can emerge, such as undiagnosed physical damage among returning vets.
• Like life expectancies, cost estimates usually rise as the war continues. When the first estimates were prepared, the war was projected to last ten years at most. Now, five years later, the war is still being projected to last 10 more years, i.e., 15 years altogether.
• Some estimates include the war in Afghanistan or worldwide anti-terrorism costs.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-tepper-marlin/why-estimates-of-the-cost_b_74026.html

Economists for Full Employment is a group of economists working towards building a global informal network of academics, policy advisors, institutions, advocates and members of government, committed to the realization of the right to a job. Member institutions are the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College, CofFEE (the Center of Full Employment and Equity at the University of Newcastle [Australia]), The Center for Full Employment and Price Stability (cFEPS) at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and GEM-IWG (The International Working Group on Gender, Macroeconomics and International Economics) at the University of Utah.

They have recently launched a new website, www.economistsforfullemployment.org.

The UN Development Programme announces the release of the Human Development Report 2007/2008.

The report concludes the world should focus on the development impact of climate change, which could bring unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction, nutrition, health and education.
http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/2007/november/hdr-climatechange-20071127.en

The latest issue of Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy (http://www.bepress.com/peps/vol13/iss1/) includes these articles:

• Evidence about the Link Between Education, Poverty and Terrorism among Palestinians. Claude Berrebi http://www.bepress.com/peps/vol13/iss1/2/
• Ranking and Measuring Efficiency of Middle East Cooperation Projects. Miki Malul, Yossi Hadad, and Raphael Bar-El http://www.bepress.com/peps/vol13/iss1/3/
• Palestinian Health Institutions: Finding a Way Forward after the Second Intifada. Peter E. Hilsenrath and Karan P. Singh http://www.bepress.com/peps/vol13/iss1/4/
• Short Term and Event Interdependence Matter: A Political Economy Continuous Model of Civil War. Mayeul Kauffmann http://www.bepress.com/peps/vol13/iss1/1/

Recent articles from id21 cover the topic Conflict and emergencies

• The long-term impacts of child soldiering in Uganda http://www.id21.org/society/s10acb1g1.html
• Internally displaced in Burma - by conflict, 'development' and opium eradication http://www.id21.org/society/s10cas1g1.html
• The role of NGOs in conflict and peace-building http://www.id21.org/society/s9ajg1g1.html
• Flawed demobilization of combatants in the Congo http://www.id21.org/society/s10bzm1g1.html
  

Call for Papers: the annual Jan Tinbergen European Peace Science Conference will take place June 30 - July 2, 2008 in Amsterdam at the Tinbergen Institute, Roeterstraat 31, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Registration fee will be 50 Euro.

At the conference there will be continuing emphasis on research methods in peace science, but also regular papers dealing with all aspects of the peace science field, from pure abstract theory to practical applied research will be accepted. As a guide to topics, recall those in previous conferences: (a) Arms Control and International Security, (b) Deterrence Theory, (c) Harmony and Conflict, (d) Cooperation, Alliances and Games, (e) Game and Related Theory, (f) Mathematical Approaches to Conflict Management, (g) Mathematical Models of Arms Races and Wars, (h) Empirical and Historical Studies on the Causes of War, (i) Crises and War Studies, (j) World Models, (k) Critical Economic Aspects of the Global Crises, (l) Long-Run Aspects of the Behavior of International Systems, (m) Peace Science Methodology and Theory, (n) Conflict Analysis and Management, (o) Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Studies, (p) Behavioral Studies, and (q) Hierarchy Theory.

The papers that will be presented can be considered for publication in Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy, The Journal of Conflict Resolution, and International Interactions.

All abstracts (150-250 words) with tentative title submitted before February 1,2008 will be considered for the conference. Proposals received after February 1, 2008 will only be considered if any presentation slots are still available.

Those who are interested in participating should submit their proposals (abstract and tentative title) to NEPSconference@gmail.com.

In recent years, theory and empirical research in Political Science and in Economics have made major progress in identifying and analyzing the causes and consequences of conflict. In view of this progress, Economics of Governance http://www.springerlink.com/content/1435-8131/ invites contributions on Causes and Consequences of Conflict for a special issue on this topic.

The issue will be edited jointly by Johannes Münster (WZB and Free University of Berlin) muenster@wzb.eu and EPS member Stergios Skaperdas (UC Irvine) sskaperd@uci.edu.

In 2006, the journal published a special issue on related topics. This issue is available at http://www.springerlink.com/content/p15783r04683/.

Our Troops Must Leave Iraq, say Walter Cronkite and David Krieger.

"The American people no longer support the war in Iraq. The war is being carried on by a stubborn president who, like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War, does not want to lose. But from the beginning this has been an ill-considered and poorly prosecuted war that, like the Vietnam War, has diminished respect for America. We believe Mr. Bush would like to drag the war on long enough to hand it off to another president...

"What the war has accomplished is the undermining of US credibility throughout the world, the weakening of our military forces, and the erosion of our Bill of Rights. Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz calculates that the war is costing American taxpayers more than $1 trillion. This amount could double if we continue the war. Each minute we are spending $500,000 in Iraq. Our losses are incalculable. It is time to remove our military forces from Iraq.

"We must ask ourselves whether continuing to pursue this war is benefiting the American people or weakening us. We must ask whether continuing the war is benefiting the Iraqi people or inflicting greater suffering upon them. We believe the answer to these inquiries is that both the American and Iraqi people would benefit by ending the US military presence in Iraq."

This op-ed was released by the UCLA Media Center. It can be read in its entirety at http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/04/5598/. Walter Cronkite is the former long-time anchor for CBS Evening News. David Krieger is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

We Face Worldwide Drought with No Contingency Plan, writes Tom Engelhardt of Tomdispatch.com. As droughts reach record levels from Atlanta to Australia, no one is asking the tough question: What happens when there is not enough water to go around?

http://www.alternet.org/environment/68498/

Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) is looking for dynamic, passionate individuals to work in their Baltimore headquarters in the following capacities:

• Global Environment & Youth Voice/Youth Vote 2008 Coordinator
• Human Rights & Peace and Security Program Assistant
• Global Scholar Summer Program Fellow

AID works with 23,000 students on more than 1,000 campuses to raise awareness of pressing global issues, present solutions from foreign policy specialists, and give students and young professionals the tools to make a difference on their campuses and in their communities.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis via email until January 4, 2008. Starting date for all positions is between January 14 - February 4, 2008. More information can be found at www.aidemocracy.org/jobs.php

Global Youth Connect is an international human rights organization that is building and supporting a community of youth (ages 18-30) who are actively promoting and protecting human rights, and educating and inspiring the next generation to work for peaceful change.  They have been organizing international human rights delegations since 2001.  Please visit their website to learn more about our work: www.globalyouthconnect.org.

They are currently accepting applications for human rights delegations to Bosnia, Guatemala, Rwanda or Venezuela in summer 2008. More information and applications can be found at http://www.globalyouthconnect.org/participates. The application deadline is January 25, 2008.

The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and The Nonproliferation Review are pleased to announce the Doreen and Jim McElvany 2008 Nonproliferation Challenge Essay Contest, featuring a $10,000 grand prize and a $1,000 prize for the most outstanding student essay (students are eligible to win the grand prize).

They are looking for the best new ideas on how to address contemporary nonproliferation challenges from nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, including those involving both state and non-state actors.

Entries should not exceed 10,000 words (including endnotes) and must be the original, unpublished work of the author(s) and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The submission deadline is March 31, 2008.

Complete contest rules and instructions can be found at http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/npr/contest/index.htm

"Arms, War and Terrorism in the Global Economy Today: Economic Analyses and Civilian Alternatives" is a volume published by Bremer Schriften zur Konversion that presents papers of two joint seminars of EPS and the European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy (EAEPE) that took place in Rethymon, Crete, Greece, complemented by papers from the Second International Conference on Defense, Security, and Economic Development held in Larissa, Greece in 2004.

Contributing authors include Michael Intriligator, Fannie Coulomb, Jacques Fontanel, Jurgen Brauer, Gulay Gunluk-Senesen, J. Paul Dunne, Luc Mampaey, Claude Serfati, Christos Kollias, Clark Abt, and Lucy Law Webster, as well as many other notable economists.

The book is available from the publishers, LIT Verlag, for €24.90 at http://www.lit-verlag.de/isbn/3-8258-0045-1.

Fact Sheets: Periodically, we release these two-sided fact sheets designed to give an accessible, graphic look at one specific issue of concern to our members and constituency.

Global Arms Trade 2004 examines the world's supplies of conventional weapons and small arms. http://www.epsusa.org/publications/factsheets/globalarmstrade.pdf

Military vs. Social Spending: Warfare or Human Welfare compares US and global military spending with the costs of achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. http://www.epsusa.org/publications/factsheets/milexMDG.pdf

Conflict or Development? This book 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, 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 Conflict or Development by emailing theaharvey@epsusa.org.

Conflict or Development can be a valuable teaching tool in economics, political science, and international relations courses. If you are interested in teaching this book, please contact Thea Harvey (theaharvey@epsusa.org) for a copy to review.

Data Resource webpage offers links to data sources for:

• International military expenditure and conflict indicators
• US military expenditure and capabilities
• Western Europe
• Russia

http://www.epsusa.org/network/data.htm. If you know of a data source that you feel should be added to our list, please contact Thea Harvey at theaharvey@epsusa.org.

Give the gift of peace. We think one of the best gifts you can give to your colleagues and loved ones is a gift membership in EPS. Donations in any amount can be made easily and securely online at https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal196/contribute.asp. Just email Thea Harvey to let us know that you are making a gift membership donation and we will send your recipient a beautiful card announcing the gift, as well as a year of EPS Quarterly and all the other benefits of membership.

Want to get the word out on the topic that matters most to you? With a letter to your local paper, you can help bring your message not only to your neighbors, but directly to the offices of your Members of Congress as well, where staffers and our lawmakers themselves follow opinions from home with an especially watchful eye.

The ACLU has a tool that helps write and send letters to local papers. Available are a list of media outlets by state, tips on how to write a letter in your own words, plus talking points for the listed topics.

http://action.aclu.org/site/PageServer?pagename=LTE_SOTU_2007&JServSessionIdr001=3bu4
9o8t91.app20a

February 7 - 9, 2008. Sustainable Development and Climate Change conference, a project of the DSDS (Delhi Sustainable Development Summit) will take place in New Delhi, India. Conference brochure is at http://www.teriin.org/dsds/2008/dsds08bro_first.pdf.

Register before December 25 to receive a 10% discount off the registration fee. http://www.teriin.org/dsds/2008/registration08.htm

June 11 - 13, 2008. The Twelfth Annual Conference on Economics and Security will take place in Ankara, Turkey, sponsored by Economists for Peace and Security, Middle East Technical University, Turkish Scientific and Research Council (TÜBİTAK), and the University of the West of England.

A call for papers is at http://carecon.org.uk/Conferences/Conf2008/Call2008.pdf. Deadline for submission of abstracts is March 17, 2008. Further details about the conference are at http://www.stps.metu.edu.tr/conference08/.

June 30 - July 2, 2008. Jan Tinbergen European Peace Science Conference in Amsterdam at the Tinbergen Institute, Roeterstraat 31, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Registration fee will be 50 Euro. For more information contact NEPSconference@gmail.com.

Giveline is a new way to support Economists for Peace and Security when you shop online. Giveline has over a million best-selling products, and every purchase you make generates a significant donation. We invite you to check out the store by clicking this link: http://www.giveline.com/default.asp?v=V013334298.

In early January, Giveline will randomly select one $50 or more purchase made between November 19 and December 31 as the winning entry, and give that winning customer:

• a $500 Giveline gift card
• a $2,500 donation to their selected cause

Shop now to get FREE SHIPPING! (Use discount code NCD07 during checkout.)

If you have enjoyed this issue of EPS NewsNotes, or if you wish to support our mission, please consider making a donation to EPS. You can do so securely online through our website or by sending a check to:

Economists for Peace and Security
at the Levy Economics Institute
Box 5000
Annandale on Hudson, NY 12504
USA

Questions? Please call (845) 758-0917, or email info@epsusa.org.

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