Abstract
This paper illustrates and concludes that the Opium Wars not only reinforced Western influence in China, but also had many long and short term effects. The writer maintains that the Opium Wars not only caused the short-term crisis of opium addiction, but also weakened the economy by further opening China to the West. The writer discusses that Chinese resistance to Western influence and the weakness of the Imperial government created mass popular movements, such as the Taiping rebellion, with the goal of bringing down the Manchu dynasty. Social structure and ideologies were also affected, as Chinese scholars and leaders learned Western ideas and technologies.

From the Paper
"In the early 19th century, most of the world was dominated by European powers. Great Britain, in particular, had a huge hand in this power play. Having gained control of several colonies in Africa, as well as the extremely profitable colony of India, Britain was indeed an Empire. However, one country still maintained a closed-door policy towards the West. China's refusal to trade with the West ultimately led to the conflict between Great Britain and China, known as the Opium Wars. The Opium Wars resulted in many repercussions for China, most of them negative. Not only did the Opium Wars reinforce Western influence on China, but brought about many social, economic and political changes to the Chinese people.
In order to understand the Opium Wars, one must first examine the tense relationship between Britain and France prior to the start of the war. Before 1840, China was completely closed off from the world, and trade with the West was only permitted in the city of Canton. Western traders were discouraged from trading by the restrictions imposed upon them by the Chinese. To even enter Canton, ``one needed special permission, which was rarely given."

Tags:china, britain, opium, opium wars, history, chinese, war

Abstract
This paper presents the background and current information with regards to sustainable development and some of the problems that are associated with the concept. The paper states many of these areas of concern and provides possible remedies for this initiative, which is mainly the need to ensure a common direction or path.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
History
Perspectives on Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Principles
Business, Politics and the Environment
Technology
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Many view sustainable development as a concept that should be incorporated into our ways of thinking and into the policies that govern our society. The environment is continuing to enter a state of serious threat, and sustainable development is a means in which growth and profit are still able to occur, and the protection of the environment is the utmost importance. Sustainable development is a concept that cannot only be incorporated into the many aspects of planning but it is also an essential component of management initiatives."

Tags:generation, future, research, environment, policy

Abstract
This paper examines the book "Hungry for Trade, How the Poor Pay for Free Trade" by John Madeley which discusses free trade and its negative affect on poor countries. It shows that how the poor pay for free trade is a fitting analogy for what has happened to the balance of power in the years following the advent of free trade and how highlighted in the story of exploitation are the many methods in which the rich attempt to take advantage of the poor. It shows how in order to understand the impact of free trade has on the third world it is necessary to discover the organizations on both sides of the battle, the ones that are against trade and the ones that are for it. It is also analyzes together with other literary citations, how the third world could benefit from changes to free trade agreements or changes to the structures and organizations that control it.

From the Paper
"Many studies of how women contribute to the farming household, do not take into account the decisions that women help to make about the farm. A study of the methodological difficulties of accounting for women's contribution to farming in the third world by Agnes Quisumbing found that it was very difficult to distinguish where to draw the line as to who contributes more and to what activities in a farming family. At the same time the study acknowledges that it is important to mark the contributions of women to the farming family. Most of the studies reviewed by Quisumbing found no difference at all between the contributions of men and women after you controlled for individual characteristics. This supports the idea of the FAO in Madeley's book that women will be a necessary part of the equation to solve world hunger through agriculture."

Tags:debt, exploitation, starvation, third, world

Abstract
This paper examines how globalization is the tool for multinational corporations to ever expand their profit-making potentials and how it has brought with it massive implications. It looks at how humanity has never before witnessed the tearing down of social, political, cultural and economic barriers as is happening now and how the implications of globalization are only a catalyst for the unraveling and destruction of global human culture. It also explores the political consequences with a focus on Salvador Allende's leadership of Chile in the 1960's.

From the Paper
"Globalization is a concept heard often. Many speak of it, but few know it. The alarming speed in which the trend of globalization is occurring rarely leaves anyone untouched. The origins of globalization, in fact, has been studied and pondered in depth. Some say " globalization is said to have begun with Columbus's discovery and subjugation of the New World and is thus anything but specific to the late twentieth century." (Beck 36) Certainly, there is a pressing need to reflect on the benefits of globalization: newly created wealth for Canada and the West in general, foreign cultures used as crucibles to view our own in a new light, and development of opportunities never before imagined."

Tags:allende, chile, politics, salvador, profit

Abstract
This paper argues that one of the major reasons for China's incredible growth since its opening in 1978, is due to the substantial influx of foreign direct investment (FDI). The gradual opening up of China to FDI, coupled with a large array of benefiting economic factors such as preferential policies, low labor costs, access to neighboring markets with similar culture/language etc., has resulted in unimagined investment and resulting growth. The paper shows that in this process FDI, has positively improved and/or contributed to total investment, technology transfer, employment, foreign exchange reserves, management know-how, competition, new industries and tax revenue.
The paper includes a chart.

Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Overview of FDI Trends
Sources of FDI
Geographical Distribution
Reasons for Investment and Preference for Investment on the Coast Business Forms of FDI
Government Policies
WTO Agreement and FDI
Empirical Studies
III. FDI Challenges and China
1 Impact on Domestic Capabilities
2 Foreign Exchange
3 Employment
4 The Limits of Preferential Policies and Tax Evasion?
5 Financial Market Inefficiencies
IV. A Case Study of FDI in Dongguan, Guangdong
V. Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"In all these cases, the liberalization process was carefully developed by only allowing access to certain sectors and geographical areas. Today there are still limitations of foreign investment in which the Government deems such sectors as "strategically" important. Such sectors or projects include airport development, nuclear power plants, oil and gas, subways, communications, printing etc. In many cases foreign investment is restricted to an equity share that is less than 50% (Tseng and Zebregs, 2002)."

Tags:Hong, Kong, ECE, foreign, exchange, GDP

Abstract
This paper discusses globalization and uses three theoretical perspectives from which the phenomena can best be described - institutionalism, pluralism and Marxism. It examines each of these theories in depth in order to establish which offers the best explanation for globalization. The paper concludes that no theory is adequate to explain the effect of globalization, but that pluralism offers the best chance to ward off some of the negative affects of globalization.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most meaningful explanation of these diverging interpretations of what globalization is and how it should be defined is the result of the varying theoretical stances of academics on how best to conceptualize a nation-state. Specifically, the nature of the challenge that that globalization will have on a state, and the correct prescription for action, depends on what theoretical interpretation of the state to which one subscribes. Institutionalists note the proliferation of private and often oligopolistic networks of trans-governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the issues which they both address, and fail to address. For Marxists, globalization is a process of "hollowing-out" the state and enhancing the power of trans-national capital. Finally, the closed and intergovernmental model of trans-national relations appears to frustrate attempts at plural influence, removing many issues for the preview of domestic democratic governance. It will be suggested that no theory is sufficient to solve the problems associated with globalization, but that pluralism offers the best prospect for incremental progress."

Tags:governance, national, democratic

Abstract
This paper examines how few policies have received as much domestic and international reproach as the United States' embargo against Cuba. It looks at how instituted over the last four decades, the blockade was originally established due to a perceived threat on U.S. national security and how reasons for this included Cuba's expropriation of U.S. property following the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro, their alliance with the Soviet Union and their support for armed revolutionary forces in Latin America and Africa. It explores business opportunities in Cuba, the effect of the embargo on U.S. firms and detailed arguments in favour of both maintaining and dissolving the embargo.

Outline
Background
Business Opportunities in Cuba
Biotechnology
Small Businesses
Effect of the Embargo on U.S. Firms
Issues for U.S. Firms upon Lifting the Embargo
Arguments for Maintaining the Embargo
Arguments for Dissolving the Embargo
Economic Tribulations
Social Tribulations
Opinion
Appendix A - Cuba Country Report
Selected Historical Facts

From the Paper
"American action in the form of the embargo against Cuba has not been effective since its inception, and there is no rationale other than saving face by maintaining the long-term grudge against the island nation. Americans will not admit that the embargo has been ineffective in controlling Castro; they will certainly deny the fact that the embargo has given Castro an "excuse" for Cuba's high poverty rate. It would be in the U.S.'s best interest to remove the embargo and allow free trade with Cuba. The laissez faire principle of economics dictates that free markets will ultimately take over, ensuring that any inherent corruption will ultimately be eliminated. Furthermore, Castro is not immune to the forces of ageing."

Tags:cigars, communism, eisenhower, expropriation, fidel, castro

Abstract
This paper is an overview of what the World Trade Organization (WTO) is and what it does. The history of the WTO is discussed as well as its advantages and disadvantages to Canada.

From the Paper
"The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization engaging in the rules of trade between countries. At its core are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and confirmed in their parliaments. The organization accounts for over 90% of world trade and consist of 135 member nations that range from the US-to-Cuba-to-The Kyrgyz Republic."

Tags:agreements, globalization, international, subsidies, trade

Abstract
This paper contains an analysis of factors, both internal and external, that caused the financial crisis in Russia in 1988. The main argument of the paper is that the main causes of the crisis originated from inside. The monetary system that the Russian government created after the fall of the USSR failed to provide a stable channel for the implementation of an adequate monetary policy. The paper shows that the banking system was ill-designed and corrupt, mainly serving as a channel for government funds to favored industries. Finally, the paper shows that the extreme usage of government debt (often for the personal benefit of the Russian officials) was the factor that shut the whole economy down. Bonds were printed like paper, which is unsustainable even in the short-run.

Table of Contents:

A Self-made Crisis
Fake Monetary System
The Banks that Weren't
Russian FIGs
A Pyramid of Bonds
The Fall of the Babylon
The Responsibility
Works Cited

From the Paper
"In 1998 Russia was hit by a large-scale financial crisis. The bad news of Russian default (or payment suspension) in August 1998 was one of the primary concerns of almost all Russian and western media. The events and outcomes of the crisis were relatively similar to the ones that took place in Asia in 1997 or, more recently, in Argentina (the latter has recently defaulted on the largest government debt in history). These amounted, but were not limited to: national currency being largely devaluated, collapse of the banking system, and political unrest resulting in dramatic changes in the government."

Tags:bank, central, government, mismanagement, dollar

Abstract
The following paper offers an overview of the impacts of globalization on developing countries, the arguments made against globalization, as well as corresponding rebuttals. Also identified are methods by which countries can reap the rewards of this process, while remaining realistic about its potential and its risks.

From the Paper
"Globalization offers extensive opportunities for worldwide development, but this process is not progressing evenly. The richest 225 people in the world have a combined wealth equal to the annual income of the poorest 47% of the world s individuals. (Crafts 2) Countries that have been able to integrate with other nations are seeing faster growth and reduced poverty. However, many nations have not been so fortunate, especially in developing areas. One in four individuals across the world lives in abject poverty, without access to adequate food, clean water, sanitation, essential healthcare or basic education services. This is both the principal moral issue facing the world as well as the utmost menace to the future security and stability of the planet. Many of today s problems, such as war and conflict, mass migration, and environmental degradation are rooted in poverty and inequality."

Tags:access, adequate, annual, areas, basic, beneficial, capital, causes, circulation, clean, competition, complex, conflict, countries, country, critics, degradation, develop, developed, developing, development, direct, earth, economic, education, employment, environmental, equal, essen