Economics Books

Book SynopsisThis book is one of the latest attempts to chronicle the problems and prospects of Africa. However, this is done differently from many others that have come before it. What makes this book a compelling read for everyone and particularly students aspiring to be introduced to African studies is its comprehensive approach to the study of the continent. It takes the student literally by the hand and leads him or her through a rather complex historical, economic and of course political account of Africa and its peoples in a way that is detailed but yet not cumbersome, especially for the beginner''s mind. It is about the trials and tribulations of an aspiring continent, whose high hopes will soon collide with the harsh realities of domestic and global politics. More importantly, it strikes an optimistic chord for the future of the continent, thus not only just looking forward, but doing so with positivity, something many books of its genre fail to do. A post-Nkrumah era was not exactly what the "radicals" envisaged. Instead of the United States of Africa, they got first the Organization of African Unity and then the African Union, while the best shot at economic integration is anagrammed ECOWAS. This book explains why many of these attempts at political integration may not have been Africa''s best bet. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the book is its constant juxtaposition of the good, the bad and even the ugly. The reader is introduced to an Africa which has made progress in democratising itself especially in the last two decades, but through that same journey learns that the continent, thanks to political violence in the likes of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and now Mali, may very well be contending for the world capital of disease, rape and ethnic cleansing. Indeed more shocking for the prospective learner is the fact that the continent is unequivocally one of the richest in the world in natural and (yes) to some extent in human resources but nevertheless is host to some of the world''s poorest countries. Yet, this same continent has fought through it all surviving colonialism, the Cold War, apartheid and has even managed to produce Nobel laureates and a country (Ghana) that as of 2012 leads the rest of the world in economic growth. That is the Africa brought to you by this book.

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Book SynopsisNigeria is one of the pivotal states of Africa and is extremely important to U.S. diplomatic and economic interests on that continent. However, Americans'' general lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of Nigeria undercuts our interactions with this crucial state to the detriment of both sides. Nigeria is considered a key power on the African continent, not only because of its size, but because of its political and economic role in the region. In the southern Niger Delta region, local grievances related to oil production in the area have fuelled simmering conflict and criminality for over a decade. This book focuses on the government''s efforts to negotiate with local militants which have quieted the restive region, but the peace is fragile and violent criminality continues.

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Book SynopsisThe importance of marine and maritime policy can hardly be overstated in view of the fact that over 90% of world trade is sea-borne and the economic interests of developed, developing and emerging economies alike are all heavily dependent on international trade and commerce. What is perhaps not so readily appreciated by the world community at large including the captains of relevant industries such as shipping, fisheries, cargo and insurance interests, is that environmental issues and concerns are at the very heart of commercial growth and development. This is where the "marine" as distinguished from the "maritime" interests fit into the equation. Both are intimately inter-connected and co-related to the extent that policy development in the field cannot be achieved in a rational manner without the consideration of both these essential factors. This book attempts to bring together both these perspectives through the writings and contributions of several distinguished scholars in their respective fields of expertise. The editor is hopeful that the contributions of these individuals will serve to enhance knowledge and interest in marine and maritime policy development and formulation among those involved in this highly specialised area of endeavour, be they government administrators, private sector executives and managers, practitioners, researchers or scholars of related persuasions. The term "policy" in this book carries a broad connotation referring to both policy that is primarily law based as well as policy formulated on economic and sociological considerations. Marine and maritime business, as a significant commercial activity in the world''s economy, is heavily regulated by law. In many areas of marine and maritime affairs, the nexus between legal policy and the policy influenced by market forces as well as their mutual interaction is highly significant, especially viewed from a historical perspective.

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Book Synopsis21st century globalisation is distinguished by institutional and political reforms in many countries such as gradual trade liberalisation and international co-ordination of policies. This author considers globalisation as a non-stop process leading to the convergence of the civilisations, lower cost of production, controlled freedom of communications, guarded advancements of technology, shrinking of distances via advanced transportation means and the economic funds utilise their powers demolishing any local lawful revolutionary efforts exploiting the globe with a fairly democratic way at present. The global economic funds should avoid a gradually undemocratic exploitation of the globe in order to bypass/avoid a global conflict looming in the end of the road of an autocratic globalisation lacking any ethical values. Moreover, globalisation has created centres of power that are alongside, even in competition, with the power of states. Innovation demands extensive up-front R&D costs and strong intellectual property protection is not disconnected from competition principles, but rather, is a vital part of antitrust policy as a whole. Sound intellectual property rights protection creates the competitive environment required to allow companies to profit from their inventions, which encourages innovation efforts.

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Book SynopsisThis book is intended to provide a new approach to the study of global values and global value change, based on representative international survey data, above all, the World Values Survey. This theme is of growing interest not only to the international social science community, but also international policy makers and business and financial executives in the framework of international values and business studies. Since the book is also designed to serve advanced graduate courses in sociology, political science and economics at Universities, government and business staff training centres, diplomatic academies et cetera, this book also contains themes for 10-20 minute statements (1000-2000 words) that students and course participants should be able to prepare after attending a course on global values. This book is intended to provide a new approach to the study of global values and global value change, based on representative international survey data, above all, the World Values Survey, covering the entire population in an ever growing number of countries, and now already comprising some 90% of the total global population on earth. The importance of these data for international politics cannot be overestimated: foreign ministries, international organisations, ministerial planning departments of national governments, national intelligence agencies, international bankers and investors, pension fund managers, global insurance enterprises, organisations of national and international security, NGOs, religious communities, they all can benefit from these freely available data, which indeed will revolutionise our discourse on international politics and political culture.

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Book SynopsisThe ongoing global financial crisis, coupled with the continued dramatic increases in life expectancy, have escalated the concerns countries have regarding the sustainability of their pension systems and how these retirement schemes will be financed. From 1998 to 2008, close to 30 countries embarked on privatising reforms to their pension programs. Some of these countries introduced new pension reforms directed at private individual accounts while reducing the size of the state social security system. The focus of other reforms during this period varied but was primarily aimed at strengthening basic protection for economically at-risk older individuals, increasing benefit coverage and/or improving the overall fiscal sustainability of these systems. However, the move towards greater coverage and sustainability was interrupted by the world-wide financial meltdown. This has led to a reassessment of pension systems and reform approaches. This volume was assembled to review the status of pension reforms globally and to gain a glimpse of the trends emerging as countries adjust to the new age of macroeconomic world-wide uncertainty. The chapters in this volume provide concise, clear and dispassionate discussions on these trends and reforms as well as frank appraisals of the consequences of alternative policies. Experts from Europe, the United States and the emerging economies of Brazil, China and India approach pension reform and reassessment from different perspectives; however, each provide forthright analyses and assessment of the consequences of the "new normal".

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Book SynopsisEconomics is a science which studies human behaviours as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses. Since economic resources are scarce, optimisation forms an integral part in the study of economics. In addition, in the presence of imperfect market structure, externalities, imperfect information or public goods, the market fails to provide an efficient allocation mechanism. Optimisation of economic activities provides an effective remedial measure for market failures. This contributed volume collects advances in the studies of economics and optimisation. Contributions cover areas on analysis of optimal allocation of economic resources, economic optimisation techniques, the interface economics and optimisation, optimisation under market mechanism and history of development of optimisation techniques. The studies assembled in this volume are dedicated to the memory of a pioneering researcher and Nobel Laureate in the field of economic optimisation -- Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich. In his 100th birthday tribute in 2012, the International Conference Mathematics, Economic, Management: Kantorovich-100 in St-Petersburg was held in his memory. Selected papers from the conference are included in this Volume. In addition, contributed papers from authors who had worked closely with Kantorovich are also contained.

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Book SynopsisRussia made uneven progress in democratisation during the 1990s, but this limited progress was reversed after Vladimir Putin rose to power in 1999-2000, according to many observers. During this period, the State Duma (lower legislative chamber) became dominated by government-approved parties, gubernatorial elections were abolished, and the government consolidated ownership or control over major media and industries, including the energy sector. The Putin government showed low regard for the rule of law and human rights in suppressing insurgency in the North Caucasus, according to critics. Dmitriy Medvedev, Putin''s long-time protégé, was elected president in 2008; President Medvedev immediately designated Putin as prime minister and continued Putin''s policies. This book discusses in further detail, the politics and economics in Putin''s Russia; and provides insight on the Russian political, economic, and security issues and United States interests.

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Book SynopsisCongress faces an array of policy choices as it confronts the dramatic increase in the federal government''s debt over the past several years and the prospect of large annual budget deficits and further increases in that debt that are projected to occur in coming decades under current law. To help inform lawmakers about the budgetary implications of various approaches to changing federal policies, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) periodically issues a compendium of policy options that would affect the federal budget as well as separate reports that include policy options in particular areas. This book presents options that would decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues over the next decade, and addresses the long-run budget deficit.

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Book SynopsisThe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd- Frank Act) mandates that GAO report on an ongoing basis on ways to make the Code more effective in resolving certain failed financial companies. This book examines advantages and disadvantages of certain proposals, such as proposals to change the role of financial regulators in the bankruptcy process, affecting funding of financial company bankruptcies, and to change the safe-harbour treatment of QFCs. Furthermore, this book provides information on the complex financial institutions and international co-ordination challenges of bankruptcy.

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Book SynopsisThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force on January 1, 1994. The overall economic impact of NAFTA is difficult to measure since trade and investment trends are influenced by numerous other economic variables, such as economic growth, inflation, and currency fluctuations. NAFTA continues to be of interest to Congress because of the importance of Canada and Mexico as U.S. trading partners, and also because of the implications NAFTA has for U.S. trade policy. This book provides an overview of North American trade liberalisation before NAFTA, an overview of NAFTA provisions, the economic effects of NAFTA, and policy considerations. It also examines the provisions of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in the context of the overall U.S.-South Korean economic relationship, U.S. objectives, and South Korean objectives. The book examines some of the issues that have arisen during the implementation of KORUS FTA, and analyses the issues related to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the state and substance of the negotiations, the specific areas under negotiation, the policy and economic contexts in which the TPP would fit, and the issues for Congress that the TPP presents.

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Book SynopsisFor over 2 decades, Somalia has been the prime example of a collapsed state. For almost a generation, Somalia has been a byword for state failure, defying the combined efforts of diplomats and soldiers to restore some semblance of order, to say nothing of a functional national government. In the absence of an effective sovereign, the country is a backdrop for multiple humanitarian crises. The purpose of this book is to provide insight on the state collapse, insurgency, and counterinsurgency of Somalia.

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Book SynopsisInsecurity, poor governance, and a long-running humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) present a range of challenges for U.S. policymakers, including the U.S. Congress. Chronic instability in eastern DRC, an area rich in minerals and other natural resources, has caused widespread human suffering and inhibited private sector investment throughout the Great Lakes region -- which includes DRC and its neighbors to the east. This book discusses the background and United States policy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and provides insight on the DRC''s conditions and issues.

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Book SynopsisU.S.-Thailand relations are of interest to Congress because of Thailand''s status as a long-time military ally and a significant trade and economic partner. For many years, Thailand was also seen as a model of stable democracy in Southeast Asia, although this image, along with U.S. relations, have been complicated by deep political and economic instability in the wake of a September 2006 coup that displaced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but divisive figure who remains a flashpoint for many divisions within Thailand. This book provides a background of Thailand and U.S. relations. It also discusses Thailand''s 2012 international religious freedom report along with a 2013 investment climate statement.

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Book SynopsisAs the name suggests, this book is about "Management and Economic Policy for Development". This volume, which is written by two dozen distinguished scholars, including the Nobel Laureate, Professor Edmund E. Phelps from Columbia University, successful managers and policymakers from a number of countries and different cultures, discusses the conditions for good economic performance, successful microeconomic management and macroeconomic governance. The complex analysis leads the authors to conclusions about why the contemporary knowledge-based economy depends on a sound economic performance, competitiveness and economic growth. This book is a must read for everybody looking for an answer on how to manage and govern his/her business, his/her region, his/her organisation, or even his/her country. The book has been edited by Professor Grzegorz W Kolodko, founder and Director of TIGER, Transformation, Integration, and Globalisation Economic Research at Kozminski University, former deputy prime minister and minister of finance of Poland, country successful in post-socialist systemic transformation. He claims, on the one hand, that a sound economic policy and good company management must be based on proper theory; and, on the other hand, that a good theory must rely on critical observation and an analysis of practice. If this is what you are interested in, then this book is for you.

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Book SynopsisThe purpose of this book is to evaluate the question: What does the New World Order (NWO) mean in the 21st century? After the Polish Revolution in 1989 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Soviet Union in 1991, many people expected better times than those during the Cold War between the West and East. Since Communism lost to Capitalism, can the latter promote freedom and happiness for all of us everywhere? However, this dream did not happen, vice versa we face now so called liquid times, times of instability and chaos. Therefore, this book is written for those who would like to know why the supposedly ideal economic solution known as Capitalism cannot bring happiness to all of us as it is promised by its promoters. This means that the book should be interesting for all kinds of readers and could be potentially read by millions. The book discusses Hegelian dialectics under the form of competition among ideas that have been neglected in the NOW-21st century and unopposed Capitalism has been transformed into Turbo-Capitalism, also known as Undemocratic Capitalism. This process is supported by additive waves of globalisation taking place in the last 500+ years. Eventually in the 21st century humanity is facing the resulted transformation of western civilization into global civilisation. The book analyses this transformational process and its positive and negative repercussions for humanity.

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Book SynopsisBook & CD-ROM. After the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, legislation had been urged for over two decades to create a national voter registration system designed to make registration easier and more uniform from state to state. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the so-called "motor-voter" bill, was signed into law by President Clinton on 20 May 1993. It required states to establish voter registration procedures for federal elections so that eligible citizens might apply to register to vote simultaneously while applying for a driver''s license, by mail, and at selected state and local offices that serve the public. This book provides the history, the implementation and the effects the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It also discusses the Uninformed Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

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Book SynopsisGovernance designates all regulations intended for organisation and centralisation of human societies on a global scale. The management of corporations organises the efforts of individuals in order to achieve aims and objectives using available resources inventively and efficiently. Risk management is a practice of steadily choosing cost-effective tactics for diminishing the consequence of threat realisation to the corporation which cannot be evaded for the reason that there are financial and practical limits, which means the acceptance of some degree of residual risks. Cyberspace strengthens national and global governance. E-business involves the total digitisation of value chains and business processes, and serving traditional organisations creates new value and reach up to that time unattained heights of operational and financial excellence. E-technology and e-commerce produce new challenges for both risk management and corporate governance which could be solved by effective utilisation of a continuous development of the means of risk management such as information technology, logistics, networks and a constantly improved ERM in order to comply with the new developments. A highly educated personnel controlled by an effective human resources management is a prime means for accomplishment of effective risk management and corporate governance in a 21st century digital economy.

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Book SynopsisA refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there are approximately 15.4 million refugees in the world. The vast majority of these refugees will receive support in the country to which they fled until they can voluntarily and safely return to their home country. A small number of refugees will be allowed to become citizens in the country to which they fled, and an even smaller number -- primarily those who are at the highest risk -- will be resettled in a third country. While UNHCR reports that less than 1 percent of all refugees are eventually resettled in third countries, the United States welcomes over half of these refugees, more than all other resettlement countries combined. This book provides regional overviews of the refugee situation around the globe, country conditions, data on refugees world-wide and programs for refugee admittance to the United States.

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Book SynopsisThis series examines issues and economic matters particular to small businesses. The term Small Enterprise (or Small Organisation) is sometimes used for this same category of business or organisation. A small enterprise/organisation may also be a non-profit organisation. This volume covers several topics including: the small business administration HUBZone program; the "8a Program" for small businesses owned and controlled by the socially and economically disadvantaged; SBA new markets venture capital program; state small business credit initiative; and antidumping and countervailing duties.

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Book SynopsisOn 16 September 2013, Aaron Alexis, a Navy contractor employee with a Secret security clearance, shot and killed 12 U.S. Navy civilian and contractor employees and wounded several others at the Washington Navy Yard. Alexis was also killed. Alexis was employed by The Experts, Inc, a private information technology firm cleared under the National Industrial Security Program. The Experts was a subcontractor to Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services, which was performing work under a contract with the Department of the Navy. Alexis had legitimate access to the Navy Yard as a result of his work as a contractor employee and used his valid building pass to gain entry to Building 197. Shortly after his arrival in the building and over the course of about one hour, Alexis used his Remington 870 shotgun and a Beretta handgun he obtained during the attack to kill 12 individuals and wound 4 others before he was shot and killed by law enforcement officers. On September 30, 2013, the Secretary of Defense initiated concurrent independent and internal reviews to identify and recommend actions that address gaps or deficiencies in DoD programs, policies, and procedures regarding security at DoD installations and the granting and renewing of security clearances for DoD employees and contractor personnel. This book discusses and provides an overview of the Washington Navy Yard Shooting. It also provides insight on the security from within.

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Book SynopsisFrom a worldwide perspective, it has been recognized that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in economic development, as they have been the primary sources of job/employment creation and output growth. Even now it is generally believed that sustainable and inclusive economic development in developing regions (i.e. Asia, Africa and Latin America) depends to a large extent on the vibrant private sector, in particular MSMEs. This book is about MSMEs in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), providing most recent evidence on development and performance of the enterprises in individual member states (i.e. Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Kambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam). Historically, MSMEs have always been the main players in domestic economic activities in the region. In all member states, the enterprises made up more than 90 percent of all enterprises, total employment, and even in some member states the enterprises contributed more than 50 per cent to their gross domestic products (GDP). Currently, one important issue regarding the development of MSMEs, not only in ASEAN but also in other developing regions in the world, is about the long run prospect of their existence or development in the course of increasing pressures of world trade liberalisation and economic globalisation. This book tries to answer the key question that currently is still under both academic and public debates, namely can MSMEs, especially micro enterprises, survive in the long-run in course of increasing competition pressures in both domestic and regional/international markets? The question is particular important for MSMEs in ASEAN as it is going to implement fully liberalisation in trade and investment in 2015, known as ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Despite the fact that the above mentioned issue is increasingly important, unfortunately, not so many books have been published so far that touches this particular issue. Therefore, this book is to fill this gap.

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Book SynopsisCorporate executives have transitioned in their thinking about the role of corporations in a global society. Corporate social responsibility initiatives, once a nice-to-do'' for the marketing benefits, are now necessary to convince consumers to support their businesses. The current definitions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have different foci, but most include improving the quality of life for people and the planet, as well as making profit. They also include the processes by which companies make their profits as well as what they do with them. All discussions of CSR include the requirement of external stakeholder dialogue, and understanding the values and needs of stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the community members in which businesses operate. This book discusses several topics of interest in corporate social responsibility that include the identity and image of CSR; the relationship between disclosure and assurance in sustainability reporting; proposed methodology for measuring the published information on clients and human resources; total respect management; CSR and financial performance; as well as challenges, issues, and benefits of CSR on business performance.

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Book SynopsisLike many of its peers in sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana''s journey to democracy has been a tortuous one indeed. To the extent that governance is about the equitable distribution of societal resources, Ghana, like many African societies, has been grappling with the problem of governance since time immemorial. Before the advent of colonial rule, several African societies had established a variety of political systems with corresponding political, economic, and social institutions which dealt with allocation of resources, law-making, and social and political control based, for the most part, on family and kinship relations associated with communalism and consensual decision making. Besides the fact that the inauguration of the colonial project curtailed the natural evolution of the democratic governance engendered by the rule of chiefs during this period in Africa''s history, colonial rule was generally based on both economic exploitation and racial injustice. It entailed economic exploitation of natural resources and social and political exclusion of indigenous Africans from decision making. This twin evil of the colonial project became the main motivation for the adoption of socialist principles of organisation by many African states in the immediate post-independence period. This book discusses several topics on Ghana''s social, economic and political issues. These include Pan-African connections, development and the experiences of the historic Agrican Diaspora; women in Ghana; the use of iron in West Africa; ethnicity and political participation in Ghana; the nuclearisation of Ghanaian families; evaluation of the health financing sub-functions; and a study of migrants in Tema.

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Book SynopsisMarriage has historically helped protect the financial health of couples and surviving spouses in old age. Based on their marriage, and independent of their own work history, spouses may receive retirement and survivor income through Social Security and some employer-sponsored pension plans. Many of the federal requirements governing these benefits were developed at a time when family structures, work patterns, and pensions were very different from what they are today. In recent decades, marriage has become less common, more households have two earners rather than one, and many employers have shifted from DB plans to DC plans. This book examines the trends in and status of marriage and labour force participation in American households; how those trends have affected spousal benefits and retirement savings behaviour within households today; and the implications of these trends for future retirement security.

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Book SynopsisThe World Trade Organization (WTO) Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU) provides a means for WTO Members to resolve disputes arising under WTO agreements. WTO Members must first attempt to settle their dispute through consultations, but if these fail the Member initiating the dispute may request that a panel examine and report on its complaint. This book documents compliance by the People''s Republic of China with commitments made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), including both multilateral commitments and any bilateral commitments made to the United States. Included in the book are China''s policies and practices in areas such as intellectual property rights, industrial policies, services, agriculture and transparency.

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Book SynopsisThe European Union (EU) is a political and economic partnership, built through a series of binding treaties, that represents a unique form of co-operation among sovereign countries. The EU is composed of 28 member states, including most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and has helped to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity throughout the European continent. The United States and the EU have a dynamic political partnership and share a huge trade and investment relationship. This book catalogues trade-related barriers that U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perceive as disproportionately affecting their exports to the European Union (EU) relative to large exporters to the EU. This book also serves as a primer on the EU and provides a brief description of U.S.-EU relations that may be of interest to Congress.

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Book SynopsisMalaysia, a majority Muslim nation in Southeast Asia, has long been a partner in U.S. security and economic initiatives in the region, although political sensitivities in Malaysia have constrained both sides from forging deeper ties or even acknowledging how close the relationship is. Bilateral relations have improved over the past decade, especially under Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has made relations with the United States a priority. The Obama Administration has emphasised deeper engagement with Malaysia and other "emerging partners" in Southeast Asia as part of the strategic "rebalancing" of U.S. resources and attention to the Asia-Pacific region. Congress has expressed interest in a variety of issues in U.S.-Malaysia relations over the years, especially regarding trade, security co-operation, human rights, and Malaysia''s diplomacy. This book analyses U.S.-Malaysia relations and the economy, domestic politics, and diplomacy of Malaysia. The book also provides background information on current events and policy debates related to Malaysia.

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Book SynopsisThe United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), the bilateral security alliance bound by the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, and common strategic and economic interests. In the past decade, the Philippines has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in Southeast Asia, including both military and development aid. Many observers say that U.S. public and private support to the Philippines following Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which struck the central part of the country on 8 November 2013, bolstered the already strong bilateral relationship. This book discusses the United States interests in the Republic of the Philippines. It also examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on 8 November 2013, and the U.S. and international response; the Philippines 2013 human rights report; the 2012 international religious freedom report; and the 2013 investment climate statement.

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Book SynopsisSince the 2011 U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, sectarian divisions have widened, fuelling a revival of a Sunni Muslim insurgent challenge to Iraq''s stability. Iraq''s Sunni Arab Muslims resent Shiite political domination and perceived discrimination by the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Iraq''s Kurds are embroiled in separate political disputes with the Baghdad government over territorial, political, and economic issues, particularly their intent to separately export large volumes of oil produced in the Kurdish region. Fighting also continues across Syria, pitting government forces and their foreign allies against a range of anti-government insurgents, some of whom also are fighting amongst themselves. The ongoing conflict that began in March 2011 in Syria has created one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in the world. Three years later, as of early March 2014, an estimated 9.3 million people inside Syria, nearly half the population, have been affected by the conflict. This book discusses the political, and internal conflicts of both Iraq and Syria. It provides information on the politics, governance, and human rights in Iraq; an overview of armed conflict in Syria, as well as the United States response; and an overview of the humanitarian response in Syria as well.

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Book SynopsisThe North Caucasus region has been a source of instability for the past several centuries. Underlying social, economic, and political issues of the region remain. A low-level insurgency persists in the North Caucasus region, with occasional terrorist attacks in the Russian heartland. Chechnya functions as a de facto independent entity; Islamist influence in Dagestan is growing, as terror attacks continue, and the rest of the North Caucasus requires massive presence of Russian security services to keep the situation under control. This book examines these underlying issues and finds few reasons to expect any substantial improvement in the situation for years to come.

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Book SynopsisSeveral Turkish domestic and foreign policy issues have significant relevance for U.S. interests, and Congress plays an active role in shaping and overseeing U.S. relations with Turkey. This book provides background information on Turkey and discusses possible policy options for Members of Congress and the Obama Administration. U.S. relations with Turkey -- a long-time North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally -- have evolved over time. Turkey''s economic dynamism and geopolitical importance have increased its influence regionally and globally. Although Turkey still depends on the United States and other NATO allies for political and strategic support, its increased economic and military self-reliance since the Cold War allows Turkey relatively greater opportunity for an assertive role in foreign policy. Along with the background of Turkey and their relations with the United States, this book discusses the Turkey-Kurdish regional government relations after the United States withdrawal from Iraq.

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