December 02, 2005
New project launched to examine DFID's spending
In 1997, the creation of the Department for International Development, combined with the strong leadership of Clare Short, was a bold and successful policy. But as UK government spending on development rises, is development spending too unfocused? How do you get the biggest bang for your buck?
The Globalisation Institute is starting a project to examine how to get best results from DFID's budget. The project is being run by Keith Boyfield, the GI's projects director, and Jonathan Clayton (pictured), the Chief African Correspondent for the Times of London, and with support from Dr Nadia Solovieva, University College, London.
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December 01, 2005
New GI report looks at the future of trade and development
In a new report published by the Globalisation Institute, Dr Razeen Sally - Europe's most senior trade economist - says the WTO is becoming ineffective. Hyperinflation of the membership has almost crippled decision-making. The WTO has become much too politicised, buffeted by external criticism and with deep internal fissures.
In the report, he suggests what needs to happen to the WTO to get it back on track, but also argues that instead of relying on the WTO to lower protectionism, countries should follow a Nike strategy - they should "Just Do It!" Because getting rid of tariffs is good regardless of whether other countries do the same, we should liberalize anyway. Moreover, Dr Sally points out that the big successes in free trade are already coming "from below", rather than thanks to international institutions and agreements.
Download the report (PDF): 2005 and Beyond: The Future of Trade, Development & International Institutions.