International relations
The Future of World Trade
IPN Opinion article
IPN's Executive Director, Julian Morris, writes about the future of world trade,
"It is time to rethink how multilateral liberalization proceeds. Since the WTO does a good job of administering the agreements within its ambit, it might be best to limit its role to such administrative tasks. The failure of its recent Ministerial meetings means that multilateral liberalization is, in any case, slipping out of its grasp. Instead we are witnessing an explosion of bilateral and regional agreements, as countries seek other ways of pressing forward with trade liberalization."
Suits and ties demonstrate on opposite side of divide
IPN Opinion article
The Guardian writes about the Freedom to Trade demonstration in Hong Kong at the World Trade Organization meeting.
‘Trade Barriers Are Immoral; Free Trade Could End Poverty' says author of new report
IPN Press release
Aid and debt relief won't help Africa
IPN Opinion article
Sending billions in aid to Africa is like pouring water "into leaky bowls," says the head of an African pro-market think-tank.
"It is laughable to assume that just writing off poor country debts will stop the inefficiency and corruption," said Franklin Cudjoe, head of Ghana-based Imani, who argues that aid bolsters corrupt governments. Forgiving debts just frees up more money for inefficient pet projects aimed at political popularity, he maintains.
A Decade of WTO
IPN Opinion article
Discusses Looking Back to Look Beyond, a new book by Bibek Debroy and Mohammed Saqib: "Julian Morris raises the subject of environmental protection, including the rather dubious conceptualisation of the trade-environment nexus by certain environment groups, as well as the desire of certain eco-extremist organisations to push an anti-trade agenda. "
Kyoto cons the world's poor
IPN Opinion article
Barun Mitra, director of the Liberty Institute, condemns the Kyoto Protocol as a potential trap that will keep the world's developing nations mired in poverty.(Subscriber link)
Can Ghana's Parliament Review Its Position on the Kyoto Protocol?
IPN Opinion article
Franklin Cudjoe comments on climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, foreign aid, energy and a number of related issues
