143 research outputs found
India's joint Andaman and Nicobar Command is a failed experiment
No full textFor more about the East-West Center, see http://www.eastwestcenter.org/Anit Mukherjee, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, explains that "Not only has [the Andaman and Nicobar Joint Command] failed to usher in more joint commands, but the experience might be cited by those within the military community who are opposed to [such cooperation].
Rural non-farm development in China and India
No full textThe dynamic rural nonfarm sector in China has been a major contributor to the country's remarkable growth, while in India the growth in output and employment in this sector has been rather stagnant. The paper argues that the observed patterns in the rural nonfarm development are the results of institutional differences between the two countries, especially in their political systems, ownership structure, and credit institutions. A review of the strengths and weaknesses of the rural nonfarm economy in China and India highlights the potentials and challenges of growth in the sector.Industrial policy ,Policy research ,Non-farm development ,
Agricultural trade liberalization under Doha: the risks facing African countries
No full textAfrican countries tend to be affected by global agricultural policies in the same way as other economies but with much more severe economy-wide repercussions... The present discussion paper 1) examines the vulnerability of Africa economies with respect to global agricultural trading policies and their induced changes in world agricultural markets, based on the above characteristics; 2) analyzes the efficiency effects within Africa's agricultural sector of world market distortions resulting from agricultural trading policies; 3) illustrates the impact of global protectionism on poverty levels and distribution among rural households in Africa and the implication for the objective of poverty reduction; 4) reviews the options and risks facing African countries in their pursuit of opportunities for greater participation in the global trading system, in particular in connection with the Doha trade agenda; and 5) discusses options for global trade liberalization that would best benefit African economies. The paper argues that the insistence on the part of African countries on Special and Differential Treatment entails much more risks than benefits for their economies. It also indicates that trade preferences have been less beneficial to African economies than usually assumed and at any rate have not been significant enough to compensate African countries for the negative impact of global protectionism. Finally, the paper also disagrees with the widely accepted conclusion that African countries would suffer from liberalization of global agricultural policies because they tend to be net food importers. That conclusion does not sufficiently take into consideration the dynamic long term effects of global policy changes on production and trading patterns among African countries and the potential efficiency effects that would emanate there from.Agricultural policies, International trade, agricultural sector, Protectionism, Doha agreement, trade liberalization, Poverty reduction, Rural households,
Anit Mukherjee. 2020. The Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats and the Military in India (Book review)
No full textIndia is widely—and rightly—recognised for being one of only a few postcolonial states that has avoided interference by its military in its politics. At one time or another, most have experienced some kind of intervention, coup d’état, or period of military rule. In India, there have been occasions when generals have overstepped the mark and there are present concerns about the politicisation of the armed forces, but it has been remarkably successful in keeping its armed forces under civilian control. Indeed, so strict is that control that some analysts and officers suggest that India’s military is not just constrained from interfering in politics, but also held back from becoming a more effective fighting force. A swathe of failings has been attributed to this ‘civilian dominance’, as it is sometimes called, from the procurement of unsuitable weapons to the appointment of subpar senior officers.No Full Tex
Shocks, livestock asset dynamics and social capital in Ethiopia:
No full textThis paper uses household survey panel data of 416 rural households to study livestock asset dynamics in the north-east of Ethiopia. The period under examination (1996-2003) was marked by severe environmental shocks, including a series of droughts. Using as point of departure the literature on the evolution of productive assets in the presence of risk, which relates asset paths to initial endowments, we test the hypothesis of wealth divergence and the existence of asset poverty traps. Results indicate rather that livestock asset dynamics are marked by convergence over time. Examining the role of social capital in recovery and growth of households' endowments, both local social relationships as well as ‘bridging' social capital seem to have a positive effect on asset holdings directly, as well as indirectly by mitigating the impact of income shocks on livestock capital.livestock, Household surveys, Environmental disasters, Poverty, assets, Social capital, Droughts,
Civil-Military Relations and Military Effectiveness in India
No full textThis chapter looks into India's civil-military relations and its impact on India's military effectiveness. It discusses the theory of civil-military relations and identifies that while Huntington's 'bjective control' best describes civil-military relations in India, it does not, contrary to Huntington's claim, maximize military effectiveness. Borrowing from Risa Brook's approach, the author analyses Indian military effectiveness by examining its four crucial determinants-weapons procurement, defence planning, integration and human resource development. He argues that the current structure of civil-military relations, more accurately described as an 'absent dialogue', has an adverse impact on its military effectiveness. While the Indian state has acknowledged some of these problems and has made some attempts at defence reforms, more forceful political intervention is required.</p
Assessing potential impact of avian influenza on poultry in West Africa: a spatial equilibrium model analysis
No full text"In this paper, the authors analyze the potential economic impacts of avian influenza (AI) in West Africa, taking Nigeria as an example. They find that, depending on the size of the affected areas, the direct impact of the spread of AI along the two major migratory bird flyways would be the loss of about 4 percent of national chicken production. However, the indirect effect—consumers' reluctance to consume poultry if AI is detected, causing a decline in chicken prices—is generally larger than the direct effect. The study estimates that Nigerian chicken production would fall by 21 percent and chicken farmers would lose US$250 million of revenue if the worst-case scenario occurred. The negative impact of AI would be unevenly distributed in the country, and some states and districts would be seriously hurt. This study is based on a spatial equilibrium model that makes use of the most recent spatial distribution data sets for poultry and human populations in West Africa. The study shows that, while most of the attention has focused on preventing global influenza pandemic, preventive measures are also needed at the national, subnational, and local levels, because AI could potentially have a huge negative impact on the poultry industry and the livelihood of smallholder farmers in many regions in West Africa.." Authors' AbstractComputable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling, Small farmers, Spatial analysis (Statistics),
Educating the professional military : civil–military relations and professional military education in India
No full textThis article analyzes the ways in which civil–military relations shape professional military education (PME). Its main argument is that military education benefits from a civil–military partnership. In doing so, the article examines the role of civil–military relations in shaping PME in India. While describing the evolution of military education in India, it analyzes its weaknesses and argues that this is primarily due to its model of civil–military relations, with a limited role for civilians. Theoretically, this argument challenges Samuel Huntington’s notion of “objective control”—which envisaged a strict separation between the civil and military domains. Conceptually, this article argues for a greater dialogue on military education among civilians, both policy makers and academics, and military officers and not to leave it to the military’s domain—as is currently the practice in most countries.Accepted versio
Target profiling analyses of bile acids in the evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of gentiopicroside on ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice
No full textAbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceGentiopicroside (GPS), one of iridoid glucoside representatives, is the most potential active component in Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl and Gentiana macrophylla Pall. These two herbs have been used to treat jaundice and other hepatic and billiary diseases in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of GPS on α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) induced cholestatic liver injury in mice.Materials and methodsMice were treated with GPS (130mg/kg, ig) for 5 consecutive days. On the third day, mice were given a single dose of Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (75mg/kg, ig). Serum biochemical markers and individual bile acids in serum, liver, urine and feces were measured at different time points after ANIT administration. The expression of hepatic bile acid synthesis, uptake and transporter genes as well as ileum bile acid transporter genes were assayed.ResultsIn this study, ANIT exposure resulted in serious cholestasis with liver injury, which was demonstrated by dramatically increased serum levels of ALT, ALP, TBA and TBIL along with TCA CA, MCAs and TMCAs accumulation in both liver and serum. Furthermore, ANIT significantly decreased bile acid synthesis related gene expressions, and increased expression of bile acid transporters in liver. Continuous treatment with GPS attenuated ANIT-induced acute cholestasis as well as liver injury and correct the dyshomeostasis of bile acids induced by ANIT. Our data showed that GPS significantly upregulated the hepatic mRNA levels of synthesis enzymes (Cyp8b1 and Cyp27a1) and transporters (Mrp4 Mdr1 and Ost-β) as well as ileal bile acid circulation mediators (Asbt and Fgf15), accompanied by serum and hepatic bile acid levels decrease and further urinary and fecal bile acid levels increase.ConclusionGPS can change bile acids metabolism which highlights its importance in mitigating cholestasis, resulting in the marked decrease of intracellular bile acid pool back toward basal levels. And the protective mechanism was associated with regulation of bile acids-related transporters, but the potential mechanism warrants further investigation
A multi-level analysis of public spending, growth and poverty reduction in Egypt:
No full text"Egypt is a lower middle-income country with a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2003 of US$3,949 measured in international dollars, or purchasing power parity (World Bank 2005a). In the decade from 1975 to 1985, Egypt enjoyed rapid economic growth... however... Egypt still lags behind many middle-income countries in key social indicators. Further reforms are necessary to reduce poverty, especially if Egypt is to achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the number of poor between 1990 and 2015. Government expenditures are an important means of promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving income distribution... The overarching objective of this report is to use a multi-level analysis approach to assess both the effects of various government expenditures on growth and poverty reduction and the trade-offs between these two goals in order to determine policy options toward the achievement of the MDGs. The study involves analyses and simulations at household, sectoral, and regional levels, and at macro-levels using alternative analytical tools. While the analyses at each level were carried out independently, the report provides a synergy of the findings... The report concludes with a synthesis of the different levels of analysis." Authors' AbstractPublic investments, economic growth, Poverty reduction, Social indicators, Income distribution, Millennium Development Goals,
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