Alexander Kurchin

The paper deals with the issue of the current subprime crisis attempting to address the question whether it has brought a halt to the process of globalization. In order to answer the question a number of issues are covered, namely, the legitimacy of claims that the crisis has damaged the credibility of neo-liberal economic development model; states policy responses to resolve the crisis and comprehensive government intervention and whether these policies are in contradiction with economic… Show more

The paper deals with the issue of the current subprime crisis attempting to address the question whether it has brought a halt to the process of globalization. In order to answer the question a number of issues are covered, namely, the legitimacy of claims that the crisis has damaged the credibility of neo-liberal economic development model; states policy responses to resolve the crisis and comprehensive government intervention and whether these policies are in contradiction with economic integration and interconnectedness. The essay’s primary argument is premised upon the idea that the crisis does not mark the end of globalization; rather, it has redirected and transformed it, and one can expect a ‘third wave of globalization’ to take roots in East Asia and to be dominated by the liberal economic ideas. Show less

The paper endeavors to consider the DSM – one of the most important and simultaneously controversial WTO systems which breeds scholarly and political debate as to its fairness and efficacy. The essay addresses the three most important features of the DSM, namely, the developing states participation, the retaliation mechanism and the legalistic structure of the DSM providing detailed multidimensional analysis of all three. The primary argument the essay pursues is that although the system has… Show more

The paper endeavors to consider the DSM – one of the most important and simultaneously controversial WTO systems which breeds scholarly and political debate as to its fairness and efficacy. The essay addresses the three most important features of the DSM, namely, the developing states participation, the retaliation mechanism and the legalistic structure of the DSM providing detailed multidimensional analysis of all three. The primary argument the essay pursues is that although the system has been the only enforcement mechanism within the WTO and it has brought substantial benefits to all its members, the DSM has been lacking in fairness effectively constraining the developing states participation and limiting their retaliatory capacity and not effectively resolving conflicts but breeding more conflict. The essay puts forward that it might be better to have such system than to have nothing at all (as many scholars argue), however, it requires comprehensive reform to address the deficiencies and disbalance which are being dealt with by the paper. Show less

The paper considers a pertinent issue of the contemporary international relations and the Middle Eastern studies which is the Iranian regional policy (since the fall of Sad-dam) and the extent to which it endangers and jeopardizes stability and security in the re-gion. The central argument the essay is premised upon is that according to the (neo)-realist IR paradigm, Iran’s regional policy is subordinated to pragmatism and the national interest; moreover, Iran’s nuclear program is claimed to be… Show more

The paper considers a pertinent issue of the contemporary international relations and the Middle Eastern studies which is the Iranian regional policy (since the fall of Sad-dam) and the extent to which it endangers and jeopardizes stability and security in the re-gion. The central argument the essay is premised upon is that according to the (neo)-realist IR paradigm, Iran’s regional policy is subordinated to pragmatism and the national interest; moreover, Iran’s nuclear program is claimed to be an effective countervailing power in the region rather than being detrimental to its security. This being said, the es-say considers Iran’s regional policies as well as its disputed nuclear program on the basis of IR theories which contribute to the argument the essay puts forward. Show less

The paper deals with the implications of oil in the Middle East determining whether oil imperils stability and security in the region or creates opportunities for develop and continuity. The paper examines the issue from the two main perspectives – the internal and external ones. The internal dimension of the problem embraces the economic and political development of the Gulf States (on the example of Kuwait and Qatar) as well as the dichotomy between the oil-haves and oil-have-nots. At the… Show more

The paper deals with the implications of oil in the Middle East determining whether oil imperils stability and security in the region or creates opportunities for develop and continuity. The paper examines the issue from the two main perspectives – the internal and external ones. The internal dimension of the problem embraces the economic and political development of the Gulf States (on the example of Kuwait and Qatar) as well as the dichotomy between the oil-haves and oil-have-nots. At the same time, the external dimension involves the Western repercussions in the region and the phenomenon of the “oil weapon”. On the grounds of the analysis the overall conclusion defining the positive/negative effect of oil is made. Show less

The paper assesses the economic, social and political ramifications of regionalism in North America NAFTA being its embodiment. Firstly, theoretical framework is considered where a reader can find out what are the two primary theoretical approaches to analyzing regionalism and NAFTA. Secondly, the main body of the paper is dedicated to three case studies examining how NAFTA affected Mexico, the US and Canada specifically focusing on labor issues, trade balance and the macroeconomic policy as… Show more

The paper assesses the economic, social and political ramifications of regionalism in North America NAFTA being its embodiment. Firstly, theoretical framework is considered where a reader can find out what are the two primary theoretical approaches to analyzing regionalism and NAFTA. Secondly, the main body of the paper is dedicated to three case studies examining how NAFTA affected Mexico, the US and Canada specifically focusing on labor issues, trade balance and the macroeconomic policy as well as the political implications. In the end the final remarks and observations as to whether NAFTA had a positive or negative impact on the three member-states are made. Show less