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American Foreign Policy Since 1991
Introduction The United States has been the world’s only superpower since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In some ways it is more difficult to manage foreign policy without concentrating on one big rival. The United States is vastly stronger in military strength than any possible coalition of enemy forces. But since 9/11…
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Sane Asylum: Suburbs and the American Middle Class
Americans love their suburbs. Suburban living almost defines the American way of life. Privacy, both homes and backyards. Space. Peace and quiet, except for power mowers and leaf blowers. Compare this with the high cost of space, peace and quiet in cities. Suburbs are a refuge from the stress of live and work in America. …
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A Historical Example of Bilateral Oligopoly: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Baldwin, the largest producer of steam locomotives in the nineteenth century, faced problems typical of a dominant company in a bilateral oligopolistic industry. Almost everything that happened at Baldwin was conditioned by a highly cyclical, almost unpredictable…
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The $100 A Barrel Solution
The high and sustained price of crude oil is having unintended consequences. Global consumption of crude oil rose by 14% between 2000 and 2010, about equal to the increase in population. Almost all of the increase was in Asian countries, especially China and India, and, surprisingly, the Middle East and other oil-exporting countries. The…
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Arab Spring, Arab Autumn
The post-war rule of autocratic, secular strongmen backed by their military and secret police is coming to an end. Last year saw the fall of regimes in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen. There is open revolt in Syria. Demonstrations continue in Bahrain, even after earlier demonstrations were suppressed by Saudi Arabian troops. The kings of…
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Russia and China – Contrasts
Why has the political and economic development of Russia since 1991 been so different than that of China? Russia – political collapse of Communism and the Communist Party. China – Communist Party keeps political control after brutally suppressing demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Russia – loses Eastern Europe and much of old Russian Empire, creating…