RSS

In line with the forthcoming World Economic Forum Conference at Davos (Jan 28 - Feb 1), atlantic-community.org is holding a World Economic Forum Focus Week in a 5 day run-up to the event. 

We are addressing two of the most crucial issues which are to be discussed at the conference:

• What will the climate regime look like?

• How do we stabilize the global economy?

Based on readers' comments, we will generate a special Atlantic Memo that will be distributed to WEF organizers and to decision makers worldwide at the start of the conference.

November 12, 2009 | Asia Should Focus on its Own Markets

Asia faces dramatic economic change in the coming decades. In order to preserve economic growth, Asian markets need to abandon their excessive export orientation and reliance on foreign markets such as the American and European ones. As a result …More

October 13, 2009 | The Renminbi Needs to Float

The key cause of the current financial crisis is a lack of balance in the world economy. ++ Whilst China has built up immense financial reserves, the US has seen its account deficit grow and grow on the back of infinitely increasing interest payments …More

October 9, 2009 | Financial Crisis Requires Continued Action

Although there is lots of talk of green shoots, the recession is not over and the crisis demands that we finish what we started. ++ Stimulus packages are helping to stabilise our economies, but we are still in danger. ++ “Premature …More

March 3, 2009 | Energy Producers Fight for Clean Water

Water and energy are the most important resources
for humanity. Both have become more mutually dependent. Beginning in the middle
ages with the water wheel, then used in factories for cooling purposes, to its
application as a fuel source, …More

February 11, 2009 | Davos: A First Step Out of the Crisis

Davos provided the starting point of the way out of the financial crisis by bringing together G-20 leaders. ++ Climate change can become part of the economic revival, with the job and technology opportunities that sustainable energy offers. …More

February 9, 2009 | The Return of the N-beast

André Budick: Thinking the Unthinkable: What if private banks, who have to work to jumpstart the global economy once again, can’t be saved for the time being? What if only the wholesale nationalization of entire national banking systems is the chance for a fresh new start? …More

February 3, 2009 | From Globalisation to "Deglobalisation"

To date, the world has known globalization. ++ But the financial crisis has spurred talks on the new trend of deglobalization: shifting focus from the international level to the domestic one. ++ This does not seem to concern the …More

January 30, 2009 | Davos: Towards Unity or Towards Division?

Davos’ opening speeches have highlighted the opposing attitudes of the two orators. ++ They share only one thing in common, the target audience of their words: the absent USA ++ Putin heavily criticized the US for being the source of …More

January 29, 2009 | A New Climate Regime: Top-Down Change

Memo 13: Atlantic Community members suggest the establishment of a global regulating mechanism for climate change and stress the need to ensure that everyone can live up to the technological demands of a new, climate-friendly economy. …More

January 29, 2009 | World Leaders Powerless in Davos

Klaus Schwab, President and Founder of the WEF, has stated that the 39th forum will be one of convalescence of the world economy. ++ Well, nothing is less sure. ++ Recently the crisis has hit both Asia and Brazil, both expected to be exempt. ++ …More

January 29, 2009 | A Supranational Approach to Rescuing the Global Economy

Memo 12: Atlantic Community members are in agreement that addressing the global economic crisis is intrinsically linked to engaging with the new world order. All nations and relevant parties beyond the Bretton Woods transatlantic partners must be part of the solution. …More

January 28, 2009 | Davos: a Message of Hope

The annual appointment in the Swiss mountains to discuss the future of the world economy arrives just in time to get to the heart of the financial crisis. ++ Unfortunately newly elected President Obama will not be present ++ At his inauguration speech, …More

January 28, 2009 | Redefining the IMF

Luke A. Nichter: The US should play a leading role in international monetary reform, and dialogue should be the tool. Most crucially, the IMF must be developed to act as a stabilizer and to reward those nations that play by the rules. …More

January 27, 2009 | UK Must Shed Neo-Liberal Fears

Nothing can stop increased unemployment, and the young will be hit hardest. ++ The labor market is a social institution which touches on all parts of society. ++ Some companies try to avoid laying off workers, wanting to re-train them instead, but …More

January 27, 2009 | A Multidimensional Approach for a Planet in Peril

Scott Michael Moore: The complex global environmental challenges of today require a multidimensional approach to environmental governance, one that engages all nations and levels of government and society. …More

January 26, 2009 | Meet UN Aid Target for an Age of Responsibility

This age may end up being the Age of Intolerance, Nationalism, or even Decline. ++ At best, it may become the Age of Responsibility that Obama is trying to usher in. ++ This requires completion of WTO negotiations in order to create …More

January 26, 2009 | Human Rights: A Matter of Guiding the Invisible Hand

Alyssa M. Ramsey: The international community of wealthy democracies must focus its efforts on molding the global economy so that it becomes the driving force behind the proliferation of respect for human rights. …More

January 23, 2009 | Action On Climate Change Requires Global Technology Transfer

Sam Vanderslott: Successful technology transfer is at the heart of finding a viable solution to the climate change challenge. Powerful private sector interests must be overcome in order to allow co-operation between developed and developing nations. …More

January 23, 2009 | Political Liberalism At the Heart of International Trade

Scott Edward Hartley: The relationship between economic and political liberalism is central to sealing the fate of the international economy. If global trade is to flourish, the free exchange of ideas must be promoted and presided over by international organizations in order to countermand myopic trade policies. …More

January 22, 2009 | Socioecological Innovation: an Alternative Future

Jordan Levine: As populations increase and resources become scarcer, international relations stand to deteriorate. World leaders must combine global trade liberalization with data on the relationship between ecosystem function and human well-being. Mandatory life-cycle assessments are the best way of doing this. …More

January 22, 2009 | Unipolarity's Days Are Numbered

Yam Ki Chan: The era of US unipolarity is coming to an end. The international order is heading towards multipolarity or non-polarity. To manage the upcoming challenges, the UN Security Council, and particularly the US, must take leadership to strengthen the United Nations and increase financial interdependence. …More