In The News
At Davos, Will Asia Be Seen as the Solution to or the Victim of Global Economic Crisis?
January 25, 2012
From January 25-29, the world's most powerful leaders from the public and private sectors gather in the Swiss town of Davos to try to agree on measures that will eventually impact billions of people across the world. The event is being held against an unprecedentedly gloomy global economic picture. The World Bank recently reported that the world economy will grow by only 2.5 percent in 2012, far below initial estimates of 3.6 percent. In Europe, leaders have yet to come up with a comprehensive solution to the eurozone crisis.
Notes from the Field
A Step Back for a Closer Look at the Philippines and Development
January 25, 2012
It would be a gross exaggeration to say that panic swept the development community in Manila when word spread that after 12 years on the scene as country representative of The Asia Foundation I was disappearing into a 4-month teaching sabbatical at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies...
Notes from the Field
O and Sal: The Jaipur Literature Festival in Two Names
January 25, 2012
Oprah Winfrey looked nervous. Making her way across the stage, she stopped to smile for the herd of photographers and then quickly sat down in her chair. Waiting for the applause to die down, she folded her hands in her lap. This was Oprah's first visit to India; the press has tracked her every move as she traveled across the country...
Report
New Article Explores Electoral Systems in Emerging Democracies
January 25, 2012
"The choice of an electoral system must not be taken lightly. ... Far too often in transitional or developing settings, the choice of a system is the work of a lamentably small group of people who then enshrine their decision in a constitution adopted after a sketchy public debate held in a context where few have a full grasp of the long-term significance of electoral-system...
Notes from the Field
Luang Prabang Film Festival Inspires and Showcases Lao Filmmakers
January 18, 2012
In The News
Q&A: New Korea Representative Peter Beck Discusses Challenges Facing the Peninsula
January 18, 2012
Weeks into his new post, In Asia editor Alma Freeman spoke with The Asia Foundation's new Korea country representative, Peter Beck, from Seoul for his insight on South Korea's domestic politics, North Korea's transition, Seoul's new mayor, the contentious National Security Law, and more.
In The News
U.S-India Relations in 2012
January 18, 2012
The Economist, in its recent issue "The World in 2012," gave this thumbnail prediction for India in the New Year: "The Congress-led government is leaking support because of widespread corruption and a patchy economic record… Nevertheless, the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold on until the end of its term in 2014 – not least because the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party...
