East Asian Economic Regionalism or Conscience of the World

East Asian Economic Regionalism

Author: Edward J Lincoln

Something new is happening across East Asia. A region notable for its lack of internal economic links is discussing regional cooperation on trade, investment, and exchange rates. Because of negotiations elsewhere around the globe on regional trade—such as those that led to the consolidation of the European Union, the formation of the North American Free Trade Area, and the rapid proliferation of bilateral free trade areas—the talk is not surprising. Nevertheless, East Asia's past inertia with regard to forming a regional partnership raises many questions about its emerging regionalism. Why has the region suddenly shifted from taking a global approach to economic issues to discussing a regional bloc? How fast and how far will the new regionalism progress? Will the region become a version of the European Union, or something far less? What is the probable impact on American economic and strategic interests—are the likely developments something that the U.S. government should encourage or discourage? Edward Lincoln takes up these questions, exploring what is happening to regional trade and investment flows and what sort of regional arrangements are the most sensible.

Lincoln argues that an exclusive grouping is unlikely. Free trade negotiations have brought some economies in the region together, but they also have led to links with nations outside the region. Some regional governments most notably Japan, continue to have difficulty embracing the concept of free trade, even with favored regional partners. In the wake of the Asian financial crisis, governments also have looked at cooperating on exchange rates, but they have done little to move forward.

The U.S. government must decide how to respond to these developments in East Asia. An exclusively Asian form of regionalism could run counter to American economic interests, and the U.S. government has reacted negatively to some of these proposals in the past. Because trade and investment links between the countries of the Asia Pacific region and the United States remain very strong, Lincoln argues that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum remains the appropriate institution for pursuing regional trade and investment issues.

About the Author:
Edward J. Lincoln is a senior fellow in Asia and Economic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. His previous Brookings books include Arthritic Japan (2001), Troubled Times: U.S.-Japan Trade Relations in the 1990s (1999), Japan's New Global Role (1995), and Japan's Unequal Trade (1990). In the mid-1990s, Lincoln served as special economic advisor to Walter Mondale, former U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Books about: Learning WCF or Beyond HR

Conscience of the World: The Influence of Non-Governmental Organizations in the U. N. System

Author: Peter Willetts

NGO activity in the 1990s is often claimed to be unprecedented, yet it is not so new. The first victory by NGOs in the UN was fifty years ago, when they obtained provision in the UN Charter for their own participation with 'consultative status'. Since then their influence has grown steadily, to cover all the work of the Economic and Social Council, along with the operational programmes in developing countries, the specialised agencies and UN conferences. They have also been important in the fields of human rights, disaster relief, development and the environment. But what is an NGO? What are the historical roots? How do NGOs gain recognition at the UN and at conferences? What rights of participation do NGOs have and how do they gain influence? All these questions are answered in this book, which should banish any idea that the UN system is simply a centre for professional diplomats. Global civil society, expressed through the NGOs, is as much a part of UN politics as pressure group activity is a part of the domestic politics of a democracy.

Booknews

A series of studies that were shared among participants in a series of meetings and carved to comprise a unified treatment of how non-governmental organizations have served the United Nations by criticizing the imperfections of international society, stimulating progress, promoting new ideas, raising voluntary funds for development, and publicizing the United Nations and its agencies. Overall perspectives are augmented by chapters focusing on the World Bank, the environment, women, and children. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

	Preface
	Abbreviations
	The Contributors
	Introduction	1
1	The Early History: From the Congress of Vienna to the San Francisco Conference	15
2	Consultative Status for NGOs at the United Nations	31
3	The World Bank and NGOs	63
4	UNESCO and NGOs: A Memoir	98
5	NGOs and the Environment	116
6	NGOs and the Human Rights of Women at the United Nations	147
7	Amnesty International at the United Nations	181
8	NGOs and the Rights of the Child	214
9	The Save the Children Fund and Nutrition for Refugees	241
10	Conclusions	270
	App. A. NGOs and the Structure of the United Nations System	277
	App. B. Documents on the Formal Arrangements for Consultative Status	290
	App. C. Statement by the Secretary-General at the UN Department of Public Information 47th Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations	310
	Index	319