*** Global Governance. Our responsibility to make globalisation an opportunity for all. Commission des Episcopats de la Communauté européenne (42 rue Stévin, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32/02) 2350510 - Fax: 2303334 - E-mail: comece@comece.org). 2001, 39 pp.
This report on global governance, elaborated by a small group of distinguished experts and presided over by Michel Camdessus, former director of the International Monetary Fund, has been submitted to Bishops from Union Member States. It constitutes an important and interesting contribution to the debate on globalisation and international policy. In this small pamphlet, with its remarkable contents, the Catholic church testifies, at a European level , about its desire to contribute to a fairer and more balanced globalisation. It points out that the voice of the oldest "global player" on the world scene still counts…
After providing a very concise analysis of the effects of increased economic interdependence and its critical consequences for the poor and developing countries, the pamphlet reveals the fundamental values of the social doctrine of the Catholic church, that still remain relevant to a global, effective and accepted notion of governance. These values incorporate the concept of human dignity, solidarity, justice and subsidiarity. The most interesting part of this publication is, nevertheless, found in the practical solutions it puts forward in the third part. The different contributors call for the strengthening of the International Work Organisation, as well as for the creation of a World Environmental Organisation that could act as a counterweight to the World Trade Organisation. They also call for the creation of a new organisation, the "Global Governance Group" - or the "3G" - which will consist of Heads of Government from twenty-four different areas of the world. The "3G" would be more representative than the restricted and arbitrary forum of the "G8" and would meet up annually with the Secretary and Director generals of United Nations organisations, as well as with other important international institutions, in order to deal with and decide upon global economic and social affairs. This organisation would be responsible for ensuring coherency, co-ordination and balance between the different international institutions and their activities.
This COMECE publication and brief report is written very clearly and is worthy of discussion within the context of the three communications the European Commission produced on globalisation during the UN Summit in Johannesburg. It is certainly true that the ideas put forward in this publication could be thrashed out further, particularly in view of endowing them with a Parliamentary dimension on globalisation. Nevertheless, it will provide useful reading matter to those who are interested in the institutional structures of the new world economic and political order, as well as in the reform of the UN and "G8", which we have already experienced at the debates at Seattle, Davos, Porto Alegre and Johannesburg.…
Peter Bender
*** THEODORE KOKKINOS: Economic Structure-Functionalism in European Unification and Globalization of the Economies. Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstrasse, CH-3000 Bern 15. Fax: (41-31) 9402131 - E-mail: info@peterlang.com). 2000, 218 pp. ISBN 3-631-36740-6.
This book, by economist and researcher, Théodore Kokkinos, former civil servant for the Greek government, the UN and OECD, focuses on economic globalisation. It provides a clear and committed panorama of the history of economic theory, as well as the economic and monetary integration process of the European Union. It is based on an 'economic-structuralist and functionalist' approach and adopts a long-term perspective for Europe's future. In the third part of the book, Kokkinos examines the Mexican and Asian financial crises of the 1990s. With a certain Euro-optimism, he concludes that what is needed in our globalised world is a new international monetary order. According to Kokkinos, a system of international co-operation and institutional defence mechanisms against exchange rate changes will be needed in the future. The book is, in its entirety, very interesting and very critical of orthodox monetarism. The reader wishing to benefit from a prospective and systematic presentation of European and world monetary history, will find the book attractive indeed.
(PB)
*** KEVIN M. MCDONALD: Der Begriff der Dienstleistung im europäischen Binnenmarkt und WTO-System (GATS). Peter Lang (see address above). "Saarbrücker Studien zum Privat- und Wirtschaftsrecht" series, No. 19. 2001, 174 pp. ISBN 3-631-36953-0.
The issue of the free movement of services within Europe and internationally is assuming ever greater importance. The fact that the international community signed a multilateral agreement in 1994 indicates to what degree it had become necessary to protect the cross-border circulation of services through international law. This book by Kevin McDonald seeks to contribute to the discussion on the free movement of services at both European and international levels. The author points out that the free circulation of services is not yet part of the architecture of the European internal market and that issues of demarcation between the freedom of services and other fundamental freedoms still persist. Combined with these problems is the scope in which discriminatory practices can be outlawed or limited. This remains an issue that has still not been clearly defined legally by the European Court of Justice and could be described as "confused". Kevin McDonald's trajectory consists, in this study that he presented as his doctoral thesis at the University of Saarbruck, in redefining, as comprehensively and accurately as possible, the legal significance of what constitutes a 'service', which figures in Article 49 EC and those that follow. Subsequently, he seeks to facilitate the practical application of this fundamental freedom in certain particular examples. The author goes beyond simple definition and examines the "contents" of the freedom of services, in other words, where this definition ends and where Community objectives wish it to end. He then proceeds to the sensitive issue of balancing the interests of the Union with those of Member States in regulating services. This 'justification stage' is critically analysed and matched with that of a new prospective model. In the second part of the book, Kevin McDonald looks at developments in international regulation of the circulation of services within a perspective of GATS, and suggests how international trade could help make services more efficient.
(CB)
*** TANJA NADINE ERTEL: Globalisierung der Filmwirtschaft. Die Uruguay-Runde des GATT: Eine analyse zu Ökonomie, Politik und Kultur von Film unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Mediengeschichte und der Positionen der Verhandlungspartner EG und USA. Peter Lang (see above). "Europäische Hochschulschriften" series, No. 2672. 2001, 521 pp. ISBN 3-631-36100-9.
In what way was the issue of "culture" tackled during the GATT negotiations for the liberalisation of world trade during the Uruguay Round? This is the main issue dealt with in this book (which according to the author, aims more specifically at attempting to examine the issue of culture in film) and is based on a Ph.D. thesis that Tanja Ertel submitted in 1999 to the University of Regensberg in Bavaria. The author considers that the combination of normative and economic parameters when studying the phenomena of the mass-media is indispensable. An understanding of the economic structures and how the film industry works, as well as the aesthetic, sociological, political, historical and institutional frictions that exist between the different markets for film, is necessary if a successful evaluation based on "culture" is to be made.
This attempt at trans-disciplinary co-operation aims to explore the issues of culture, economics and markets, in a scientific field, with the aid of two parameters: "culture", with its accompanying established norms, aesthetic values, artistic orientation and traditions and critical and utopian alternative perspectives; the economy and market and the practical constraints and vested interests adapted and submitted to the economic and political status quo. The author seeks to provide an explanation about a little-known area - that of cultural forms of film and the economic conditions in which they are located. She provides us with the missing information on an area that is poorly understood - classification of the phenomenon of internationalisation, as well as important data and the "integrative" concept that covers, in general, two main fields in feature film making, whilst taking into account current structural developments. The objective of this research is to demonstrate how the structures that provide the possibilities for the cultural dimension of film operate, whilst examining the current trends in communications in the international film markets. The author's theory is drawn from the parameters for a model that is based on the strength of expression and indicative capacity, central elements in the cultural content of film. In the second part of the book, she gives us an insight into the relationship between culture and economy in film, within an empirical context that forms the basis of her final conclusion.
(CB)
*** ALAIN BARRAU: L'Assemblée nationale et l'OMC: compte rendu de mandat. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide-Briand, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, No. 3429. 2001, 66 pp, 3.50 euros. ISBN 2-11-115037-1.
This report by the President of the delegation of the French National Assembly to the European Union (who also happens to be one of the most prolific rapporteurs) discusses the work of deputies who are members of World Trade Organisation since the Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha, publishing the Doha Declaration in one of the annexes. Alain Barrau (who is now a Member of the Convention on Europe) starts with a brief run-down of each of these meetings and goes on to explain how the delegation will be operating in the wake of the conferences.
(MT)
*** JOACHIM KAYSER: Gegenmaßnahmen im Außenwirtschaftsrecht und das System des Europäischen Kollisionsrechts. Eine Analyse der EU-Abwehrverordnung gegen die Auswirkungen extraterritorialer Rechtserstreckung eines Drittlandes. Peter Lang (see above). "Studien zum vergleichenden und internationalen Recht - Comparative and International Law Studies", No. 56. 2001, 217 pp. ISBN 3-631-37183-7.
It would be good if this PhD thesis by a young Berlin lawyer were read - especially in our current epoch - by the US Senate. In Joachim Kayser's book, Regulation EC 2271/96, the Community's legislative response to the USA's famous Helms Burton Act, and other US legislation on overseas sanctions in the field of international trade, is examined in a way that is both clear and meticulous. This regulation is explained in detail and located in the context of Community law. The author dispassionately concludes that the instrumentalisation of private international law is not adapted to solving political and trade-related problems and is, on the contrary, the real source of legal extraterritorial conflicts between the USA and the European Union. Kayser considers that the mechanisms of international law are preferable to those of national unilateral legislation, even if these said mechanisms are only reactions to other national legislative action that engenders a vicious circle. This excellent book would be of value to those interested in the legal origins for the Trans-Atlantic conflict related to the above-mentioned US Acts.…
(PB)
*** PHILIPPE LAURIER: Créer une entreprise (vraiment) technologique. Ingénieurs - Scientifiques - Chercheurs. Editions Dunod (Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com ). "Entrepreneurs" series. 2001, 266 pp. ISBN 2-10-005298-5.
This book is aimed at those whose speciality lies in systems analysis, biotechnology, robotics, new materials or geo-technics. It would also be of interest to those who are thinking about setting up technologically state-of-the-art businesses or investing in this sector. Philippe Laurier teaches telecommunications at the Ecole nationale supérieure, where he has developed some of the most advanced incubators in the field of information technology and communications. In this book the author develops at pedagogy based on the example and experience of more than ten businesses and discloses the mistakes made, as well as showing how the pitfalls can be avoided when setting up these kinds of businesses.
(LD)
*** PASCAL CHAUVIN: Communiquer avec un petit budget. Editions Dunod (see above). Collection "Entrepreneurs". 2001, 126 pp. ISBN 2-10-005686-7.
The author of this book attempts to demonstrate by practical examples that communication is an activity that all entrepreneurs, whatever their field and no matter the size of their company, have to use effectively and without having to spend stupid amounts of money.
(MT)
*** CHRISTINE FREUND: Vergleichende Werbung nach der Richtlinie 97/55/EG und der UWG-Novelle. Peter Lang (see above). "Europäische Hochschulschriften" series. 2001, 195 pp. ISBN 3-631-37649-9.
In transposing Directive 97/55/EC, Germany changed the laws on comparative advertising, which had hitherto generally been banned. The young legal expert, Christine Freud, reveals in this book, in a follow-up to her Ph.D. thesis at the University of Mannheim, the legal changes and compares it to former legislation and German jurisprudence. A useful instrument for those who want more information about comparative advertising at a Community level, particularly in Germany.
(PB)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985, Luxembourg) has published the following documents:
*** Cordis focus Results Supplement. DG Entreprise (Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - E-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/markteplace ). January 2002, No. 32, 40pp.
This "RDT-Results" supplement focuses on the "Technological Opportunities of today" and publishes the most impressive EU research and development project results (six times a year). In brief, all the information on the technology market is now on-line, in German, French, Spanish, Italian and English. The way in which the site operates and the kind of information it provides is also explained. This edition concentrates on a selection of recent impressive results in the areas of biology, the environment, energy, industrial and information technology.
*** Agricultural Markets: Prices. DG Agriculture (Tel: (32-2) 2991111 - Telex: 22037 (AGREC). Subscription: 122 euros.
Based on the information compiled by DG Agriculture, within the Common Agricultural Programme, this publication focuses on the data on prices fixed by the Council or Commission, as well as the prices in the different Community markets. Its graphs allow us to see how market prices have evolved during the periods of several weeks and months.
*** Actualité des Services Publics en Europe. Lettre des entreprises européennes de réseaux. ASPE Europe (36 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris. Fax: (33-1) 43876891 - E-mail: aspe@club-internet.fr). January 2002, No. 86, 15 pp. Subscription: 490 euros.
This issue of the monthly publication focuses on the "Open Sky" agreements that are currently on hold, the privatisation of the state sector in France (the end of the Left - Right divide?) and a major article on the Spanish Presidency that should be examined within a perspective of greater market liberalisation. At the Barcelona Summit, businesses will be requesting, as the UNICE Secretary General explains, "commitments and action". Other subjects include: "Towards an Integrated Railway Freight and Passenger area", a report on Galileo that calls for the Creation of a Promotion Company, The Commission Calls for Budgetary Rigour in Candidate Countries, The Post Office: European Public Operators Want to Participate in the Prospective Study, Water: The Draft French Bill Put on the Back-Burner etc…
*** L'Instantané. Actualité des services publics en Europe. ASPE Europe (see above). January 2002, No. 122.
In brief: the Commission is calling for greater competition in view of the Barcelona Summit in order to obtain lower prices in the key sectors of the European economy, EUR 54 billion in public aid for the British railway system, information on mergers in the European economy etc…
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison - Tel: (33-1) 41299991 and 299623 - Fax: 299670 - Internet: http://www.liaisons-sociales ). No. 49. February 2002. 7 pp.
"And the European Court of Justice Really Creates the European Citizen"- This title is displayed on the cover page of the journal. It points out that the Court of Justice is currently backing the notion of European citizenship, a concept encapsulated within the framework of the Maastricht Treaty and which constitutes one of the most significant pillars of the treaty. Other subjects include: "The application of a minimum wage to seconded staff", "Equal Treatment for Pensioners", "Belgique - crédit-temps et activation des allocations chômage" - Main Article, Respecting the Codes for Good Behaviour"…
Revues en bref
*** La Lettre. IEHEI. No. 2, February 2002, Nice. This publication of the European Institute of Higher International Studies continues to stoke the federalist and personalised flames, despite Professor Ferdinand Kinsky's retirement, and his being honoured by Michel Albert President of the ICEF. *** La lettre d'information. Culture Ministry. February 2002, No. 93. Paris. The contemporary creation arena of the Palais de Tokyo was inaugurated by Lionel Jospin, "Artistic education, second act" (art education agreement), "a new impulse for dance"…