Radical Transformations - July 2008

❯

What's Next for Europe?

Voters in Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty on June 12th, leaving a question mark hanging over the European Union’s latest attempt to reform its increasingly unwieldy bureaucracy. In recent years, the European Union (EU) has grown from fifteen to twenty-seven members, and efforts have been underway for some time to streamline its institutions and decision-making processes. The Lisbon Treaty is a compromise treaty that was drawn up after the draft EU constitution was defeated by referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005. Among the key changes are several proposals designed to make the EU a stronger and more coherent actor in international affairs.

July 25, 2008

Annie Verderosa

Radical Transformations - July 2008

❯

Tough Times Ahead for Argentina

Argentina has experienced three farmer strikes in the past four months, as well as increasing food rationing in the capital city of Buenos Aires and food shortages in its provinces. The source of the strikes is a sliding export tax instituted by President Cristina Fernandez, which has resulted in a tax increase of 27 to 40% on soybeans. The price of food has increased recently in large part because of ongoing farmers' strikes. However, the continuing troubles have done more than exacerbate food security in this South American republic, as it has ostensibly resulted in a vicious cycle of inflation that could have a significant ripple effect in the region.

July 25, 2008

Alejandro Salicrup

Radical Transformations - July 2008

❯

Iran: Nuclear World Order

Iran’s recent test launch of nine long-range missiles is making its neighbors nervous. To make matters worse, attempts to dissuade Iran from enriching uranium (the process by which mined uranium is developed into fuel for nuclear power and nuclear weapons) haven’t worked. Several world leaders from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, China and Russia offered Iran trade deals and other incentives in exchange for a vow to stop uranium enrichment. Many of these leaders fear that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons under the guise of peaceful (or civilian) nuclear power development. Iranian officials claim their development of nuclear power is permitted under international law. Who is right?

July 25, 2008

Olivier Kamanda

Radical Transformations - July 2008

❯

Nepal's Lesson in Democracy

On July 21st, Nepal swore in its newest president, Ram Baran Yadav. But this inauguration is particularly noteworthy because it was the Himalayan country’s first presidential inauguration. After 240 years, Nepal’s monarchy was brought to an end with a change to the constitution in May. The abolishment of the monarchy was one of a number of steps taken to bring democracy, peace and reconciliation to a country that has been plagued by violence in recent years.

July 25, 2008

Olivier Kamanda

Radical Transformations - July 2008

❯

Mugabe in Zimbabwe: A Threat to Stability, Democracy

Zimbabwe’s March 29th, 2008 parliamentary and presidential elections renewed political turmoil in the country. For the first time, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) lost parliamentary control to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), an opposition movement led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

July 25, 2008

Cathy Fisher

Radical Transformations - July 2008