Columbia International Affairs   - CIAO

http://www.ciaonet.org/

Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) is the most comprehensive source for theory and research in international affairs. It publishes a wide range of scholarship from 1991 onward that includes working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals and policy briefs. 
CIAO is also widely-recognized source for teaching materials including original case studies written by leading international affairs experts, course packs of background readings for history and political science classes, and special features like the analysis of a bin Laden recruitment tape with video. 
All sections of CIAO are updated monthly.

Access-  via http://www.aubg.bg/library

The Columbia Gazetteer of the World 
http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/c3/main.pl

A database of names, descriptions, and characteristics of over 165,000 places in the world. Users can search all the information— not just place-names—and segment it. The Columbia Gazetteer of the World serves also as a unique guide to the ways in which names offer insight into the political, cultural, religious, and aesthetic meanings that people ascribe to particular environments, and in which the values of places change. The dynamism of the world system since World War II is graphically illustrated by changed names for both renewed and pre-existing places. Access-  via http://www.aubg.bg/library

Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry 
http://www.columbiagrangers.org/grangers/index.jsp

- The Classic Hundred Poems -- a fully annotated anthology of the one hundred poems that, in the Granger's® database, are most frequently anthologized
- The Top 500 Poems -- an annotated anthology of the 500 poems that, in the Granger's® database, are most frequently anthologized
- The Columbia Granger's® Index to Poetry in Anthologies, editions 8–12 – an index to poetry in anthologies
- The Columbia Granger's® Index to Poetry in Collected and Selected Works, editions 1-2 -- an index to poems in the other main type of poetry book found on library shelves
- The Columbia Granger's® Index to African-American Poetry -- an index to 65 volumes of the best poetry by African Americans 
There is more in Granger's® than you will ever read, or ever want to read, which means that there is a wealth of poetry and commentary here that will easily help you pursue an interest in poetry. Exploring the indexes to see where they may lead can be a fascinating exercise, and you may find yourself at different times in entirely new landscapes.
Access -  via http://www.aubg.bg/library  

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Search Engines

Kiosken

http://www.esperanto.se/kiosk/engindex.html

A guide to newspaper web sites around the world. KIOSKEN has links to news media, mainly to newspapers in the countries' own language(s). Now 15559 links and 213 countries. The links are validated regularly.

InfoGrid
http://www.infogrid.com

In a compact format, InfoGrid provides direct links to major search sites and topical web sites in different categories. Meta search and news searching is also offered.  InfoGrid combines the power of indexing with meta searching. It is a fine site for research and a great place to start if you're looking to browse.

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e-Books from the World Bank e-Library

A Reader in International Corporate Finance, Volume 1
A Reader in International Corporate Finance offers an overview of current thinking on six topics: law and finance, corporate governance, banking, capital markets, capital structure and financing constraints, and the political economy of finance. This collection of 23 of the most influential articles published in the period 2000-2006 reflects two new trends: interest in international aspects of corporate finance, particularly specific to emerging markets, awareness of the importance of institutions in explaining global differences in corporate finance. "In the last decade, financial economists have increasingly focused on the role of laws and institutions in explaining differences in financial development across countries. This collection will be of great use to readers interested in the emerging new paradigm in corporate governance." Andrei Shleifer, Harvard University "Anybody seeking to understand corporate finance and corporate governance must read the papers in this book and the literature they have spawned. The financing of firms is based on contracts and the enforcement of those contracts. Without comparing firms under different contractual systems, therefore, it is impossible to grasp fully the key factors shaping the financing and behavior of firms." Ross Levine, Brown University "This reader describes how law, property rights, and corporate governance contribute to financial development, as well as how private interest groups can block or support financial reform, and thereby shape the financial development of countries. It is a must read for any student of finance." Raghuram Rajan, International Monetary Fund
To view this publication online, please go to: http://www.worldbank.catchword.org/rpsv/journal/publication082136698x_home.htm?nv_portal=all

Reforming Collateral Laws to Expand Access to Finance
Most readers, especially those with car loans or home mortgages, know about "collateral"--property that the lender can take away from the borrower in the event that the borrower defaults. In low/middle income countries, it is understood that conservative lenders exclude firms from credit markets with their excessive collateral requirements. Usually, this is because only some property is acceptable as collateral: large holdings of urban real estate and, sometimes, new motor vehicles. Microenterprises, SMEs, and the poor have little of this property but they do have an array of productive assets that could easily be harnessed to serve as collateral. It is only the legal framework which prevents firms from using these assets to secure loans. In countries with reformed laws governing collateral, property such as equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, livestock are considered excellent collateral. This book aims to better equip project managers to implement reforms to the legal and institutional framework for collateral (secured transactions). It discusses the importance of movable property as a source of collateral for firms, the relationship between the legal framework governing movable assets and the financial sector consequences for firms (better loan terms, increased access, more competitive financial sector), and how reforms can be put in place to change the lending environment.
To view this publication online, please go to: http://www.worldbank.catchword.org/rpsv/journal/publication0821364901_home.htm?nv_portal=all

e-Books from the World Bank e-Library  

Health Financing Revisited
This overview of health financing tools, policies and trends--with a particular focus on challenges facing developing countries--provides the basis for effective policy-making. Analyzing the current global environment, the book discusses health financing goals in the context of both the underlying health, demographic, social, economic, political and demographic analytics as well as the institutional realities faced by developing countries, and assesses policy options in the context of global evidence, the international aid architecture, cross-sectoral interactions, and countries' macroeconomic frameworks and overall development plans.
To view this publication online, please go to: http://www.worldbank.catchword.org/rpsv/journal/publication0821365851_home.htm?nv_portal=all

Natural Disaster Hotspots Case Studies
These case studies complement the earlier groundbreaking work of Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis published in April 2005. Three case studies address specific hazards: landslides, storm surges and drought. An additional, three case studies address regional multi-hazard situations in Sri Lanka, the Tana River basin in Kenya, and the city of Caracas, Venezuela.
To view this publication online, please go to http://www.worldbank.catchword.org/rpsv/journal/publication0821363328_home.htm?nv_portal=all

AIDS in South Asia
South Asia's HIV epidemic is highly heterogeneous. As a result, informed, prioritized, and effective responses necessitate an understanding of the epidemic diversity between and within countries. Further spread of HIV in South Asia is preventable. The future size of South Asia's epidemic will depend on an effective two-pronged approach: firstly, on the scope and effectiveness of HIV prevention programs for sex workers and their clients, injecting drug users and their sexual partners, and men having sex with men and their other sexual partners; and secondly, on the effectiveness of efforts to address the underlying socio-economic determinants of the epidemic, and to reduce stigma and discrimination towards people engaging in high risk behaviors, often marginalized in society, as well as people living with HIV and AIDS. This review was undertaken to provide a basis for rigorous, evidence-informed HIV policy and programming in South Asia.
To view this publication online, please go to: http://www.worldbank.catchword.org/rpsv/journal/publication0821367579_home.htm?nv_portal=all

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Economic Papers from the CEPR Discussion Papers

DP5800 Services Trade Liberalization at the Regional Level: Does Southern and Eastern Africa Stand to Gain from EPA Negotiations? 
URL: www.cepr.org/DP5800
Author(s): Marion Jansen 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keyword(s): regional trade agreements, trade in services, GATS, Africa, European Union 
Abstract: Given the sluggish progress in multilateral trade negotiations Southern and Eastern African negotiators are likely to focus their attention on the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union. This paper analyses possible advantages and disadvantages for ACP countries of including the services sector in these regional agreements. It describes the latest developments in a number of services sectors, including financial services, tourism and business services. Particular attention is paid to the possible role of mode 4 flows. For each individual sector the role of regulation, the importance of first mover advantages and the possible role of foreign technical assistance are discussed. The paper attempts to identify possible export opportunities for ACP countries and analyses the risks and benefits for these countries of giving preferential access to EU suppliers in those services sectors where African countries are likely to import. 
This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

Economic Papers  from the CEPR Discussion Papers

DP5804 Multiplicity in General Financial Equilibrium with Portfolio Constraints 
URL: www.cepr.org/DP5804
Authors: Suleyman Basak, David Cass, Juan Manuel Licari, Anna Pavlova 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keywords: multiple equilibria, asset pricing, portfolio constraints, indeterminacy, financial equilibrium 
Abstract: This paper explores the role of portfolio constraints in generating multiplicity of equilibrium. We present a simple financial market economy with two goods and two households, households who face constraints on their ability to take unbounded positions in risky stocks. Absent such constraints, equilibrium allocation is unique and is Pareto efficient. With one portfolio constraint in place, the efficient equilibrium is still possible; however, additional inefficient equilibria in which the constraint is binding may emerge. We show further that with portfolio constraints cum incomplete markets, there may be a continuum of equilibria; adding incomplete markets may lead to real indeterminacy. 
This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

DP5794 Leniency and Whistleblowers in Antitrust 
URL: www.cepr.org/DP5794
Author: Giancarlo Spagnolo 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keywords: amnesty, antitrust, cartels, collusion, corruption, competition policy, corporate crime, deterrence, immunity, leniency, organized crime, snitches, self-reporting, whistleblowers 
Abstract: The paper reviews the recent evolution of leniency programs for cartels in the US and EU, surveys their theoretical economic analyses, and discusses the empirical and experimental evidence available, also looking briefly at related experiences of rewarding whistleblowers in other fields of law enforcement. It concludes with a list of desiderata for leniency and whistleblower reward programs, simple suggestions how to improve current ones, and an agenda for future research. The issues discussed appear relevant to the fight of other forms of multiagent organized crime - like auditor-manager collusion, financial fraud, or corruption - that share with cartels the crucial features that well designed leniency and whistleblower programs exploit. 
This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

Economic Papers from the CEPR Discussion Papers

DP5802 When Does Coordination Require Centralization? 
URL: http://www.cepr.org/DP5802
Authors: Ricardo Alonso, Wouter Dessein, Niko Matouschek 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keywords: coordination, decision rights, cheap talk, incomplete contracts 
Abstract: This paper compares centralized and decentralized coordination when managers are privately informed and communicate strategically. We consider a multi-divisional organization in which decisions must be responsive to local conditions but also coordinated with each other. Information about local conditions is dispersed and held by self-interested division managers who communicate via cheap talk. The only available formal mechanism is the allocation of decision rights. We show that a higher need for coordination improves horizontal communication but worsens vertical communication. As a result, no matter how important coordination is, decentralization dominates centralization if the division managers are not too biased towards their own divisions and the divisions are not too different from each other (e.g. in terms of division size). 
PDF: This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

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Economic Papers from the CEPR Discussion Papers

DP5809 From Deficits to Debt and Back: Political Incentives under Numerical Fiscal Rules 
URL: www.cepr.org/DP5809
Authors: Marco Buti, Joao Nogueira Martins, Alessandro Antonio Turrini 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keywords: Stability and Growth Pact, government accounting, stock-flow adjustment, fiscal gimmicks 
Abstract: Under numerical fiscal rules, such as those underpinning EMU, governments have strong temptations to use accounting tricks to meet the fiscal constraints. Given these political incentives, fiscal variables that in the past were regarded as a mere residual acquire a strategic role. This is the case of the so-called stock-flow adjustment (SFA) which reconciles deficit and debt developments. We develop a simple theoretical model where deficits and two distinct SFA components (one that could be used to reduce the deficit figures and the other to impact debt figures instead) are determined as a result of a constrained optimization by fiscal authorities. Econometric evidence provides results consistent with the model findings. The SFA component related to the purpose to hide deficits rises with the recorded deficit, while the sales of financial assets designed to keep the debt under control rise with debt and deficit. Such practices have greatly contributed to the loss of credibility of EMU's fiscal rules. If properly implemented, the reformed Pact, which stresses durable adjustment and long-run sustainability, should help curb such perverse incentives. 
PDF: This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

Economic Papers  from the CEPR Discussion Papers

DP5810 Export Promotion Agencies: What Works and What Doesn't 
URL: www.cepr.org/DP5810
Authors: Daniel Lederman, Marcelo Olarreaga, Lucy Payton 
Date of Publication: August 2006 
Keywords: export promotion agencies, developing countries 
Abstract: The number of national export promotion agencies (EPAs) has tripled over the last two decades. While more countries made them part of their national export strategy, studies criticized their efficiency in developing countries (Hogan, Keesing and Singer, 1991). Partly in reaction to these critiques, EPAs have been retooled (see ITC, 1998 or 2000 for example). This paper studies the impact of existing EPAs and their strategies, based on a new data set covering 104 developing and developed countries. Results suggest that on average they have a strong and statistically significant impact on exports. For each $1 of export promotion, we estimate a $300 increase in exports for the median EPA. However, there is heterogeneity across regions, levels of development and types of instruments. Furthermore, there are strong diminishing returns, suggesting that as far as EPAs are concerned small is beautiful. 
PDF: This paper is available for download in electronic (PDF) format. 

Plagiary

http://www.plagiary.org/
ISSN: 15593096
Subject: Philosophy
Publisher: Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan
Language: English
Keywords: plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, research misconduct
Start Year: 2006
Cross-disciplinary studies in plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification. . Journal is devoted specifically to the scholarly, cross-disciplinary study of plagiary and related behaviors across the disciplines, articles in Plagiary address the issue of fraudulent contributions to disciplinary discourse communities and the potential (and actual) corruption of the professional literature and other genres of discourse as a result of such derivative and/or fraudulent "contributions" to discoursal interchange.

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Selected Internet Resources 

WorldCat
http://www.WorldCat.org
1.3 billion items in 18,000 libraries worldwide. WorldCat.org offers search access to library collections. WorldCat.org is a permanent Web page dedicated solely to searching WorldCat libraries. Students, researchers, librarians and other information seekers can go to this site to search the WorldCat database or add the new WorldCat search box, which will reside on WorldCat.org, to their Web sites. OCLC is rolling out this site with a downloadable search box designed to elevate the visibility of library collections and services on the Web.
 

Selected Internet Resources 

East Central European Genealogy and 
Local History: Sources for Research
The Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/eastcen/
This guide has been prepared primarily to assist individuals beginning genealogical research at the Library of Congress concerning families that originated in East Central Europe. The regions covered correspond approximately to territories that once formed the Austro-Hungarian empire, which broke up at the end of World War I. The turbulent history of this region makes precise demarcations impossible; but the guide focuses on areas that are now part of Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and portions of Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Sources cited here are limited to basic English-language resources that are useful in the early stages of research.