Egypt's economic relations with the socialist countries

The economic relations between Egypt and the socialist countries (1948-73) are discussed and appraised in the context of the political, economic and historical factors which brought them about and maintained them. It is argued that, because of special circumstances, Egypt had little choice but to develop close economic ties with the Soviet bloc. Bilateral trade has known disadvantages; the USSR, however, links trade with generous credit-an attractive feature for LDCs suffering from chronic balance-of-payments deficits. Other advantages and costs of bilateral trade are also discussed. The paper includes comments on Soviet development assistance. A main theme is that Egypt, considering the restrictions imposed on her options by the polarization of the Arab-Israeli conflict, fared well in the relationship. Export and import prices in bilateral agreements seem to have corresponded to world prices, often with a premium in Egypt's favour. Egypt also benefited from a large inflow of resources and from a significant contribution to domestic capital formation.     

South Africa's ten years of democracy: development and media discourse

Newspapers play an important role in selecting, defining and communicating pertinent social issues, especially during changing times. Yet, in the case of the transition to a new dispensation in South Africa, it seems that there has been very little sustained analysis of the news media in terms of its approach to social change before 1994. Hence the apparent lack of vigorous public engagement about the interplay between contending relations of power and the way that conflictive relations are being dealt with in terms of either maintaining or changing the status quo. For example, even in instances where popular discourses were in favour of changing the apartheid order to a more humane society, it would appear that social change was discussed in a way that meant that any alternative understanding was based on an a priori set of assumptions about what would be a suitable socio-economic order for South Africa. Hence the contradiction between election promises of a ‘better life for all’ and the current increasing levels of poverty in South Africa.     

Struggling against apartheid: The use of economic sanctions on South Africa

Conclusion It is clear that the United States is in a dominant position in relation to South Africa’s economy, which has an economic climate working against its decision to be isolated from world opinion. The apartheid policies have produced an economy that is severely distorted by its having a restricted market for its industrial products, a critical shortage of skilled labor, a high level of structural unemployment, a high and increasing military budget, and by its support of an economically unviable Bantustan system. These distortions, combined with record balance of payments deficits and a net disinvestment of foreign funds, have resulted in currency outflows that were covered by the United States providing decisive support for a $1.1 billion loan from the IMF. Contrary to the impression that has been promoted by the South African government, S.A. mineral exports are not crucial to the United States. However, South Africa does depend upon the United States for its export market of these minerals, which are essential for providing the necessary funds for governmental expenditures and foreign exchange that are needed in order to support its high import content industries. The large percentage that exports have in S.A.’s gross national product increases this vulnerability. Thus, if we look at the evidence, it is clear that the United States has viable sanctions that it can implement against South Africa’s inhuman political and social policies. Although the United States has these leverages it refuses to utilize them, even though it would be in its interest to do so. It is vital that those persons who are genuinely concerned about human rights and the apartheid system apply whatever pressure is necessary to force the U.S. government to immediately utilize these leverages in the form of sanctions that would force the S.A. government to change its policies. The black community must take the responsibility for leading this effort.     

East and South Asia: Managing Difficult Bilateral Relations and Regional Integration Globally

This paper analyzes the economic integration of the East and South Asian economies in the global economy. East Asian economies are shown to be achieving much more of their potential trade than South Asian economies, both in terms of intra‐regional trade and in trade with the rest of the world. Examination of the China–Japan, India–Pakistan and Taiwan–mainland China bilateral relationships shows that integration of these economies into the global economy has allowed economic relations to dominate and constrain difficult bilateral political relations in East Asia while in South Asia adverse political relations have hampered development of bilateral economic relationships.     

中韩经贸关系的发展现状及前景展望

自1992年中国与韩国建交以来，两国关系在政治、经济、文化等各个领域都取得了快速发展。其中，经贸关系是中韩关系持久发展的基石。文章通过对建交后中韩经贸关系发展的回顾，深入分析两国经贸交流中快速发展的原因及存在的问题，在此基础上展望中韩两国经贸关系的未来发展前景。     

前苏联加速开发西伯利亚的历史背景

前苏联加速开发西伯利亚是在美苏“冷战”的国际背景下进行的，具有很强的军事目的；开发西伯利亚的国内原因是要通过调整生产力布局，以增强经济实力，为称霸世界做准备。苏联政府十分重视西伯利亚在实现全苏经济战略总目标中的作用，把加速开发西伯利亚看作是实现全苏经济战略的重要措施。     

Production and ideology in the soviet union

Abstract

A fundamental objective of business planning in the Soviet Union is to ensure a rate of growth which considerably exceeds that attained by the ‘capitalist’ powers. At the 20th party congress this aim was once again reaffirmed. In the general resolution adopted, the congress deemed it vital to pursue with the utmost vigour the struggle to achieve the primary economic task of the Soviet Union, i.e, to overtake and outstrip the most highly developed capitalist countries in production per head of population, and to do so within the shortest possible time and by means of peaceful economic competition.     

On forecasting the relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States

The article discusses the prospects of relations between China and the United States compared to the relations that have taken place between the superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union. A comparison of relations between the two pairs of superpowers is made in the article based on the following parameters: the interaction of the superpowers in economic and financial sectors, the struggle for the world’s mineral resources, relations in the strategic nuclear sphere, naval rivalry, relationship in the land theaters, and conflicts in cyberspace.     

Agricultural reconstruction in a consumer society: The Mboza Village project 1

While this paper draws upon research conducted in northern Natal, it has general relevance for rural development debates in South Africa today. The authors argue that it is imperative that agricultural development be located within the context of socio‐economic factors that prescribe relations of consumption and development of labour supply. Agricultural performance and the potential for agricultural development should be assessed within the context of the interrelationship between different spheres of economic exchange as well as the differential management of risk within a narrow range of marginal economic options. Serious attention should be given to the structural causes of rural poverty and the high social and economic costs associated with rural life in South Africa. Such issues are not necessarily addressed in attempts to increase rural productivity through reforming indigenous land tenure systems.     

Black economic thought and the southern economy

From early in the nineteenth century Southern whites often analyzed the ills of the South as originating in the region’s colonial relation to the North. A survey of black economic thought, academic, journalistic and political, suggests that this notion was never strongly endorsed by black intellectuals. The outstanding exceptions were works by black sociologists collaborating with white colleagues in the 1930s. For the most part, however, black writers subscribed to a view that emphasized the dependent nature, not of the South, but of the economy of the black community in its relations with the South.     

中美关系正常化过程中的苏联因素

20世纪70年代很多因素促成了中美关系的正常化。苏联作为社会主义阵营的领导者,在中美关系正常化的过程中发挥了重要的作用。本文将用史论结合的方法对中、美、苏三国关系进行分析,探索中美关系正常化过程中的苏联因素。     

Is there a link between BRIC foreign direct investment and SADC export performance?

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries have agreed to strengthen their economic ties, thus paving the way for enhanced trade and investment performance. South Africa's strategic value in BRICS is that it is a gateway to the opportunity-rich Southern African Development Community (SADC). By using South Africa as a production hub for exports to the surrounding region, foreign investors would have ready access to neighbouring markets. This article addresses the question of whether, and in what ways, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries to the SADC influences the SADC's export performance. A series of empirical analyses revealed a positive causation between BRIC FDI and SADC exports, offering a clear incentive for the SADC to rejuvenate its trade and investment policies and structures, and strengthen its ties with BRIC countries in the interests of attracting more FDI and building a strong and sustainable export sector.     

Transideological collaboration and East-West- South economic relations

The increasing participation of the CMEA countries of Eastern Europe in the international division of labor extends beyond simple trade relations to include a complex web of production arrangements, including tripartite industrial cooperation. The East is now treating its economic relations with the South in less ideological and political terms, and therefore has engaged in more pragmatic and profitable ventures. Socialist state enterprises have become more integrated into the world market as buyers, sellers and producers, and as such have begun to display characteristics that resemble those of Western firms.     

THE EMERGENCE OF INSTITUTIONALISED SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN SOUTH AFRICA

This paper looks at the conceptual framework of social dialogue, investment in social capital and some international definitions of social dialogue as background to developments in this sphere in South Africa. Social dialogue is viewed as a mechanism for problem‐solving and reducing transaction costs. The paper considers the ramifications of the 1979 Wiehahn Report on labour relations, as well as the nature of social dialogue in the apartheid era and its workplace origins. Institutionally, the stepping stones to the emergence of the NEF and Nedlac are discussed, together with some of the issues involved in, and formal outcomes of, Nedlac over the past eleven years in public policy choices. It closes with an evaluation of institutionalised social dialogue in South Africa and its future. “With the transition to non‐racial democracy in 1994, it became the task of an ANC‐led government to attempt to resolve the economic contradictions that apartheid had created. To achieve this requires massive economic and social changes, great programmes of investment and structural change. It is necessary to create the vital human capital needed at every level, from rudimentary literacy to the highest ranks of science and technology; to overcome enormous deficiencies in all forms of social infrastructure, including housing, schools, health, and transport; to return land to the black population and restore ravaged rural areas; to expand black ownership of mining, industry, commerce, and finance; and to diminish enormous inequalities in income and wealth. The new regime has made a promising start, but South Africa's past will exert a powerful influence on its present and future for a long time to come, and these huge tasks will not be swiftly or easily accomplished.” Charles Feinstein (2005 )     

青岛和韩国之间的贸易博弈分析

中韩自建交以来经贸合作获得了长足发展,青岛作为中国对外贸易的前沿城市,与韩国有着较密切的贸易关系。但青韩贸易还存在着一些制约因素,如贸易不平衡,贸易摩擦等问题。因为人类的活动总是受资源稀缺性的制约,所以某一个经济主体的行为在有限的利益分配中对其他经济主体的行为及其预期产生影响,他们也以其他经济主体的预期为基础选择自己的行为策略,这种相互选择策略的过程形成“博弈”。本文就是针对如何进一步深化青韩经贸合作,运用博弈的理论进行的深入研究。     

Post‐apartheid South Africa's economic ties with neighbouring countries

In view of the rapid normalization of South Africa's relations with the rest of Africa, the appropriate framework for economic interaction with its neighbours requires careful thought. The article examines the more obvious possibilities and concludes that none of them, in their present form, can adequately meet future needs. Experience gained through them, however, should help to facilitate the pragmatic, step‐by‐step approach called for by the region's realities. Some aspects of such an approach are discussed.     

南中国经济区在中国经济区中的地位与作用

一、南中国经济区一中国经济区的重心海峡两岸与港澳原本是一个血肉相连的整体，因历史的原因而发展成为四个分立的经济实体。当因历史原因而分离的四个经济体被经贸往来紧密联系起来的时候，一支新兴的经济力量——中国经济区，就变成了21世纪最不可轻视的主力。1996年祖国大陆与港台三地全年的外贸总额为8，898亿美元，在全球外贸排行榜上仍维特在第11、第8和第14位，而三地外贸合计总额则稍逊于美、德两大经济体。因此，熟悉两岸经贸事务的学者专家及厂商一致认为，若大陆、港台三地的经济力量能够结合，进行多层次的合作交流，则两岸三…     

如何看待中韩贸易中韩国顺差现象

上世纪90年代中国经济的高速增长和中韩建交为双边贸易提供了新的增长契机。中国加入世贸组织后,双边贸易规模进一步加大。由于韩国对中国的货物贸易顺差呈逐年扩大之势,两国闻的贸易摩擦不断升级。为此,我国应改善产业结构,促进资本和技术密集型产业发展;打造我国品牌经济;成立中韩经济合作委员会。     

发展更加平衡的中国对外经济关系

在新的国际国内条件下,中国需要更加平衡的对外经济关系,需要转变参与经济全球化的方式。中国应当从主要以低成本劳动力要素为核心参与全球化,逐步转向以货币资本要素为核心,带动各种生产要素全面参与全球化。更加平衡的对外经济关系应当包括动态平衡的贸易关系、双向可控的投资关系、多元自主的货币关系、全方位的开放地缘关系和积极有为的发展合作关系。更加平衡的对外经济关系将改善中国的外部平衡,使中国的发展与世界的发展形成良性循环。