Soviet oil and the third world

The paper explores various aspects of the relationship between the Soviet Union and the Third World countries in the field of the oil industry. It begins with a historical account of the growth of the Soviet oil industry, and its ownership pattern. But the core of the essay is the role played by the ‘Soviet oil offensive’ in the 1960s and its success in weakening the grip of the oil trade in the disintergration of the world-parity-pricing system, and the emergence of OPEC as a powerful factor in the political economy of world oil. In the final section, the paper assesses the role of Soviet oil exports in the present world context and in the future.     

The patent system and the third world

Developing countries have been on the periphery of the patent system. Although 85 developing countries have patent laws, most of the larger countries are not members of the Paris Convention though their national laws tend to follow the main principles of that convention. The article indicates that in regard to many aspects of patent law, e.g., patentability, duration, fees, etc., there is considerable scope for improving patent legislation. Initiatives at the international level, culminating in the recent resolution of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Intergovernmental Group on Transfer of Technology, have established directions for a future revision of the system.     

Urbanization and third world stability

This essay reviews images of urbanization that have been held by academics and activists, including revolutionary leaders. It examines the methodology and findings of case studies in Nigeria, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, Turkey, Malaysia and other countries with the aim of determining how well suited are our data and theories for assessing the relationship between urbanization and political stability. The review examines the following topics: migration; political participation and the urban poor; radical parties and urban violence; the ‘over-urbanization’ thesis; class and ethnicity. It especially evaluates the role of so-called ‘urban marginals’ in urban political life and concludes that the evidence is overwhelming that there is no widespread ‘culture of poverty’ or ‘culture of apathy’ among the urban poor indeveloping countries.     

Major issues concerning pharmaceutical policies in the third world

Estimates indicate that total expenditures on drugs in developing countries would reach a magnitude of US $200 billion by the year 2000. In order to meet these requirements, developing countries would have to rationalize - individually and in cooperation among themselves - their pharmaceutical supply system, improving service technology and choices regarding the selection, procurement and distribution of drugs, as well as enhancing production possibilities and strengthening their capacity regarding transfer, application and development of technology in the pharmaceutical sector.     

Relief and reform in third world debt

This paper reviews the debt problem and argues that there is a need for wider financial reforms as well as debt relief. North-South dispute is best resolved through the development of agreed rules governing both debt relief and balance-of-payments financing for exogenously created shocks. The poorest countries require both debt relief and increased finance. Improved compensatory finance, more liberal supplementary finance and conditional repayment arrangements are recommended for all. The terms of new arrangements should be applied retroactively as debt relief. A new issue of special drawing rights is advocated for the financing of these relief and reform proposals.     

The third world and the CMEA Group in the world economy of raw and basic materials

This article traces the evolution of international trade flows in raw and basic materials in order to draw some conclusions about such issues as comparative advantage, dependence and interdependence, self-sufficiency, etc. It looks particularly at the relationships among various categories of developing countries and the CMEA countries. The first part of the discussion concludes that any argument that developing countries may be increasing their bargaining power in commodity markets is illusory. The author argues that the oversupply of raw materials in the world market and the consequent depressed prices will continue indefinitely. He concludes with some consideration of the future options for CMEA raw materials export policy in light of the broader prospects and policies of the OECD and developing country groups.     

世界第三大集装箱港口--中国台湾高雄港

高雄港位于中国台湾岛西南沿海的高雄市,隔台湾海峡与大陆福建省相望,扼台湾海峡与巴士海峡航运要道,为我国南北航线和环太平洋航运要冲,航运地理位置十分重要。多年来,高雄港承担着中国台湾省进出口货物的一半以上,运量逐年大幅成长,为吞吐量超亿吨的世界大港之一,其中集装箱运量已连续多年高居世界第三。1999年高雄港货物吞吐量总计为110,722,237吨,其中进口为84,442,062吨,出口     

Poverty in the third world: Ugly facts and fancy models

It is argued that the evidence from Asia indicates that despite the rise in average incomes the incidence of rural poverty has shown little tendency to diminish and in many cases the standard of living of some groups and classes, notably the landless, actually has declined. It then is suggested that the reasons for this have less to do with aggregate or sectoral rates of growth than with the interaction between the structure of the economy and four dynamic processes. Finally, the limitations of conventional theories and models are indicated and an alternative framework of analysis is proposed.     

Measuring third world security expenditure: A research note

There is growing evidence that important amounts of security expenditure may not enter the budgets or the national accounts of many developing countries. This article outlines five of the most common mechanisms used by governments to obscure their security-related outlays: double bookkeeping, use of extra-budgetary accounts, highly aggregated budget categories, military assistance and governmental manipulation of foreign exchange. Delineating those countries which have used these — or other — mechanisms is difficult but some examples do exist and are used here to illustrate how countries have hidden security-related expenditure from public scrutiny.     

Determinants of migration in a large third world city

The author examines determinants of migration to Karachi, Pakistan, using data from a 1987-1988 socioeconomic survey of 6,275 households in the city. Aspects considered include population at area of origin, income levels, employment conditions, age, and education.     

The computer industry in the third world: Policy options and constraints

The paper examines the conditions for the development of an indigenous computer industry in Third World countries. It argues that, within the existing international division of labor in the industry, the opportunities for local computer production are limited for most developing countries. Increasing levels of automation are likely to result in diminished competitiveness for any but the largest manufacturers. Only countries with large internal markets can expect to sustain an integrated computer manufacturing base. For most countries, a niche-oriented approach concentrating on the development of software and the configuration of systems for local and possibly regional vertical markets is apt to be the most viable entry strategy. Selective backward integration into hardware manufacture may be possible, but the types of equipment manufactured locally must be carefully selected with a view not only to the potential domestic market, but also to the suitability of the existing infrastructure and supplier networks to support cost-effective manufacture. For the establishment of an industry which is at least semi-autonomous technologically, policymakers need to take measures to strengthen the R&D infrastructure, to upgrade scientific and technical education, and to induce those nationals working for computer multinationals, whether at home or abroad, to start up their own local computer ventures. Skilled and experienced computer specialists as well as a computer literate population are perhaps the two most valuable assets for the development of an indigenous computer industry.     

Development planning in the third world education in Botswana: A case study

Development planning is regarded as essential for advancement in the Third World. This article discusses planning in Botswana, specifically in the area of education. The economic and educational developments in Botswana are described.

The process of development planning is discussed under a number of headings, namely the administration of development planning Botswana; drawing up a development plan; and implementing the plan.

The hypothesis that planning, to some extent, arises from compromises that in turn result from conflicts among the planners, is discussed. Examples are given to illustrate this. The article argues that conflicts will increase as financial constraints become more important in Botswana.     

Double deprivation: Public and private drug distribution from the perspective of the third world poor

Millions of the world's poor have no access to life-saving drugs. Neither the public nor private drug distribution system caters for their needs. The Third World poor suffer from the unequal distribution of limited public health resources and dangerous sales pressures in the rapidly expanding and largely uncontrolled commercial markets. They lack purchasing power to influence the dynamics of the market which is characterized by a high turnover in profitable, but inessential products and expensive brand-name drugs. Comprehensive national drug policies to rationalize both public and private sectors and improve the availability of essential drugs are urgently needed.     

Pharmaceuticals in the third world: The problem from the suppliers' point of view

The situation of pharmaceuticals in the developing world is considered from a supplier's point of view and industry's declared supportive role to WHO's Action Programme for Essential Drugs is discussed. The possible conflicting goals of developing countries' desire to have drugs available at the lowest possible price and their desire for industrialization and self-sufficiency is examined. Comments are made about the industry's pre-eminent role in research and development and its continuing commitment to R and D for tropical diseases. The importance of patents and brand-names is considered and the significance of the IFPMA Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices is described.     

The problems of supplying water to third world cities: Bulawayo's water crisis

The current drought in central and southern Africa has focused attention on issues relating to the provision and supply of potable water. In the case of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, there is the very real prospect that water supplies may be exhausted before the onset of the next rainy season. This paper explores the background to this problem and shows how poor planning, financial constraints, and political intransigence have failed to keep pace with a policy aimed at the provision of water to the inhabitants in this expanding urban environment Alternative sources of supply. in particular a pipeline to the Zambezi River, are also investigated.