September 2010 – Develop Economies

Coca-Cola and Foreign Direct Investment in the Philippines

September 28, 2010 Josh Comments 0 Comment

While I lived in the Philippines, I followed what happened in the Philippines. The national and presidential election in May, the political scandals, foreign policy with other Asian countries, and even the love life of Kris Aquino, the sister of the current president and the subject of at least one news story every single day. And I realized that none of this ever really made it onto the international news circuit. In fact, the only stories that are ever picked…

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Stephen Colbert Calls Bullshit on Congress

September 24, 2010 Josh Comments 1 comment

This is not a blog about domestic agriculture policy, nor is a blog about politics. But mental gymnastics create the necessary link between Stephen Colbert’s address to the House subcommittee on immigration and the main theme of this blog, poverty alleviation in the developing world. I enjoyed this clip, not only because I harbor not a small amount of contempt for politicians in general and, in particular, the U.S. congress, but also because it is a good lesson in the…

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“A Core Pillar of American Power”

September 22, 2010 Josh Comments 1 comment

This is how President Obama described the role of foreign aid in our geopolitical relationship with the world. Today on All Things Considered, NPR had a segment on Obama’s speech to the United Nations on America’s changing approach to aid: President Barack Obama on Wednesday defended U.S. aid to impoverished people even during sour economic times at home yet promised a sterner approach, favoring nations that commit to democracy and economic revival. Addressing world leaders, Obama offered no new commitments…

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Thoughts on Leaving

September 17, 2010 Josh Comments 3 comments

I’m writing this on the plane from Bacolod, where I have spent that last 10 months, to Manila. [Note: I got back 4 days ago, and only now am getting around to posting this] Tomorrow I’ll get on another flight to Tokyo, then another to Detroit, and one more back to Boston to the home of my birth. It is a good opportunity to write a stream-of-consciousness piece on leaving. I’ve called Bacolod my home for the better part of…

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Subscribe to Develop Economies

September 9, 2010 Josh Comments 0 Comment

Now you can get Develop Economies sent right to your email inbox – just by putting your email address in the box to the right and clicking “Subscribe.” There has been a lull in posting over the last week. That is because I am getting ready to leave the Philippines after 9 months. Packing up my things, saying goodbye, and mentally preparing myself for the departure has taken up most of my time. I’ll be back to posting next week.