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Much of the world sees Africa as one of two extremes. Either it is a continent beset by genocidal warfare, corrupt leaders, and rampant poverty or it is a region that is about to enter a renaissance. But Africa is neither on the verge of widespread anarchy nor at the dawn of democratic and economic renewal.
Monday’s failure of the Army’s Theater High Altitude Air Defense system (THAAD) to intercept a Scud-type target should provide us with a reminder of the inherent limitations of missile defense systems.
To compete in the global economy, Latin America has to have a labor force that has caught up with its competitors in Asia – in skills and therefore in productivity. Education matters.
Developing countries face special risks that globalization and market reforms will exacerbate inequality, at least in the short run, and raise the political costs of inequality. During that transition, more emphasis on minimizing and managing inequality would minimize the real risks of a protectionist and populist backlash.
Social policies probably cannot reduce income disparities in Latin America. However, their objective should not be to reduce income inequality, but to ensure opportunities for all and to make societies ever more meritocratic.
Congress and the Administration are in a rush to deploy a national missile defense system. Brushing aside the stubborn facts of failed tests and declining global missile arsenals, each is outbidding the other with budgets and timetables. Both the Senate and the House will vote this month on bills to mandate deployment.
A major intraparty battle is now shaping up over the issue of Kosovo. The outcome of this intra-GOP battle may shape the course of Republican foreign policy for years to come, and it will certainly shape the contest in 2000. If the Republicans want to run against Al Gore as the party of responsible leadership in foreign policy, the time to start is now.