The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth’s aims of development, democracy and peace. It publishes authoritative, evidence-based research and knowledge products for policymakers, academics, professionals and wider publics across the world. Our areas of focus and expertise include small and developing states; environment and climate change; democracy, law and government; and social issues concerning young people, gender, health and education.

Reality Check

John Nellis

Throughout the 1990's, privatization of inefficient state-owned enterprises was strongly embraced in developing and transitional economies. Little attention has gone to the distributional implications of the privatization movement, a particularly surprising oversight given the current backlash in many settings against further privatization. This book offers a comprehensive set of country-specific studies on the effects of privatization on people—winners and losers in different income, employment, and education groups. The studies analyze the changes in public tax revenue from privatized enterprises, shifts in pension and other liabilities, and changes in income of different groups. Contributors include David McKenzie (Stanford University), Dilip Mookherjee (Boston University), Gover Barja (Universidad Católica Boliviana, La Paz), Miguel Urquiola (Columbia University), Samuel Freije (Universidad de Las Américas in Puebla, Mexico), Luis A. Rivas (Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nicaragua), Máximo Torero, Enrique Schroth, and Alberto Pasco Font (Group of Analysis for Development [GRADE], Lima), Roberto Macedo (University of São Paulo, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, and Foundation Institute of Economic Research, São Paolo), Antonio Estache (World Bank), Michael Bleyzer and Edi Segura (SigmaBleyzer Corporation), Gary H. Jefferson, (Brandeis University), Su Jian (Brandeis and Peking Universities), Jiang Yuan and Yu Xinhua (National Bureau of Statistics, Beijing), and Malathy Knight-John and P.P.A. Wasantha (Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka).

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781933286006
  • Publication Date: Oct 2005
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Performance Incentives for Global Health

Rena Eichler

This volume demonstrates how incentives can improve the delivery and use of health services in low- and middle-income countries. The authors describe the rationale for introducing incentives tied to achievement of specific health-related targets, and they provide clear guidance about designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that provide incentives to health care providers and patients. A set of case studies focuses on recent uses of incentives addressing a range of health conditions in diverse countries. In particular, these studies emphasize how explicit incentives can be used to strengthen weak health systems.The book will be of use to policymakers and program managers in both developing countries and the donor community interested in improving health outcomes through the strategic use of performance-based incentives.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781933286297
  • Publication Date: Apr 2009
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Greenprint

Arvind Subramanian

Beleaguered by mutual recrimination between rich and poor countries, squeezed by the zero-sum arithmetic of a shrinking global carbon budget, and overtaken by shifts in economic and hence bargaining power between these countries, international cooperation on climate change has floundered. Given these three factors—which Arvind Subramanian and Aaditya Mattoo call the "narrative," "adding up," and "new world" problems—the wonder is not the current impasse; it is, rather, the belief that progress might be possible at all.In this book, the authors argue that any chance of progress must address each of these problems in a radically different way. First, the old narrative of recrimination must cede to a narrative based on recognition of common interests. Second, leaders must shift the focus away from emissions cuts to technology generation. Third, the old "cash-for-cuts" approach must be abandoned for one that requires contributions from all countries calibrated in magnitude and form to their current level of development and future prospects.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781933286679
  • Publication Date: Feb 2013
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Oil to Cash

Todd Moss

What should a country do if it suddenly discovers oil and gas? How should it spend the subsequent cash windfall? How can it protect against corruption? How can citizens truly benefit from national wealth? With many of the world's poorest and most fragile states suddenly joining the ranks of oil and gas producers, these are pressing policy questions. Oil to Cash explores one option that may help avoid the so-called resource curse: just give the money directly to citizens. A universal, transparent, and regular cash transfer would not only provide a concrete benefit to regular people, but would also create powerful incentives for citizens to hold their government accountable. Oil to Cash details how and where this idea could work and how policymakers can learn from the experiences with cash transfers in places like Mexico, Mongolia, and Alaska.

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781933286693
  • Publication Date: Jun 2015
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Excellent Online Science Teaching

Frances Karels

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780940017450
  • Publication Date: Sep 2019
  • Availability: Special order: Usually despatched within 14-18 days

Unheard Voices of the Next Generation

Sasha Toperich

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780960012718
  • Publication Date: May 2022
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

Towards a Renewed Bretton Woods Agreement

Giovanni Tria

  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780960012787
  • Publication Date: Jul 2021
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5 Working Days

A Guide to Australian White Cockatoos

Chris Hunt

  • Imprint: ABK Publications
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780957702417
  • Publication Date: Dec 1999
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

A Guide to Basic Health & Disease in Birds

Michael J. Cannon

  • Imprint: ABK Publications
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780957702455
  • Publication Date: Sep 2002
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

European Defense Research & Development

Jeffrey P. Bialos

The enormous influence of technology on the conduct of modern warfare has been made obvious by recent conflicts in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Because current defense research and development (R&D) spending is a leading indicator of future defense technology, it is significant that Europe's investment in defense R&D is only one fourth that of the United States. The "R&D gap" continues to expand as the pace of U.S. spending accelerates while that of Europe remains flat. Moreover, the impact of European defense R&D is dissipated through fragmentation and duplications of effort in parallel national programs. The contributors to this volume consider the implications of this situation for tomorrow's European defense capabilities. They predict how the R&D gap could affect the future of transatlantic relationships and discuss the effectiveness of current efforts to rectify the problems. The book also discusses the prospects for expanded cooperation in defense research and development between the United States and its European allies. Contributors include Klaus Becher (European Union's Institute for Security Studies and Knowledge and Analysis LLP), Kenneth Flamm (Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin), Masako Ikegami (Center for Pacific Studies, Stockholm University), Jeffrey P. Bialos (Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University – SAIS), David Gould (UK Defense Procurement Agency), Andrew James (University of Manchester, UK), Staffan Nasstrom (Swedish Defense Material Administration), Yves Boyer ( Fondation pour la Récherche Stratégique), Stuart Koehl (Center for Transatlantic Relations).

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780975332566
  • Publication Date: Sep 2004
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

The Strategic Implications of European Union Enlargement

Esther Brimmer

Enlargement will change the nature of the European Union, but how will it affect international affairs? The EU and its member states command significant economic resources and have launched a Common Foreign and Security Policy. Yet the demands of taking on ten new countries, concluding a constitutional treaty to accommodate decisionmaking, and dissipating acrimony after the war in Iraq, all complicate efforts to develop and enhance the EU's international presence. This book considers the impact of enlargement with respect to the EU's perception of its international role in specific geographical regions. The contributors discuss a range of global issues, including the environment, food policies, development, terrorism, and the use of force. Contributors include Stefan Fröhlich (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg), Hanna Ojanen and Kristi Raik (Finnish Institute of International Affairs), Ulrike Guerot (German Marshall Fund Berlin Office), Stanislaw Tekieli (Center for Eastern Studies, Warsaw), Michael Leigh (European Commission Directorate General for External Affairs), Henri Barkey (Lehigh University), Anne-Marie LeGloannec (Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Internationales, Foundation Nationale des Sciences Politiques), Stanislav Tkachenko (St. Petersburg University), Nicolae Idu (European Institute of Romania), Ulrich Weisser, Esther Brimmer, Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, and David Michel, (Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins –SAIS), Daniel Gros (CEPS), Angel Ubide (Tudor Investments), Patrick Cronin (CSIS), and Antonio Missoroli (EU Institute for Security Studies).

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780975332580
  • Publication Date: Jul 2005
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Keeping Australian Geckos

Rob Porter

  • Imprint: Reptile Publications
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780975820025
  • Publication Date: Jul 2008
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Changing Identities and Evolving Values

Esther Brimmer

This book is part of CTR's Changing Societies series. The contributors offer perspectives on how underlying values affect government policies—from homeland security to religion and society. The book asks: are transatlantic relations affected not only by what governments and others are doing, but by what our societies are becoming? Contributors include Parvez Ahmad (Council on American-Islamic Relations), Michael Brenner (University of Pittsburgh), Esther Brimmer (Center for Transatlantic Relations), Alain Chouet (formerly of Direction Generale de la Securite Exterieure), Jean François-Poncet (member of the French Senate),Tod Lindberg (Hoover Institution, Stanford University), Jean-Dominique Giuliani (Robert Schuman Foundation),Terri E. Givens (Center for European Studies, University of Texas), Daniel S. Hamilton (Center for Transatlantic Relations), Christopher Kojm (9/11 Discourse Project),Alain Lamassoure (member of European Parliament), Jean Claude Monod (Centre National de la Recherché Scientifique and Ecole Normale Superieure), Richard Pells (University of Texas), Tom Petri (U.S. House of Representatives), Omer Taspinar (Brookings Institution), Bruno Tertrais (Strategic Research Foundation), and Karen Volker (U.S. Department of State).

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780976643432
  • Publication Date: Dec 2006
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock: Usually despatched in 14-18 days

Defending the Gains?

Esther Brimmer

If a nation's fledgling democracy is in trouble, what should outsiders do? Esther Brimmer examines the effectiveness of U.S. and European responses when other countries' newfound democratic gains begin to erode. Brimmer asks tough questions about democracy promotion in transatlantic diplomacy. Is it actually helping to deepen democracy around the world? Efforts have focused primarily on ways to encourage democracy where it does not exist, or to consolidate democracy where it has taken hold. But what can and should the United States and Europe do when democracies infringe upon basic democratic principles, or there is a general erosion of democracy? Is there a role for outsiders when democracy is under threat? Should the U.S. and EU support democracy or just stability? Do they need to confront a backlash against democracy or "democracy promotion"?

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780978882112
  • Publication Date: Oct 2007
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Globalization & Europe

Daniel S. Hamilton

What does globalization mean for Europe? What are the gains and what are the pains? Who's winning and who's losing? In this volume, Dan Hamilton and Joe Quinlan continue their award-winning series on international economic issues with an up-to-date look at globalization's impact on Europe. They chart changing flows of trade, investment, people, money, and ideas, and they explain globalization's effect on European consumers, workers, companies, and governments. Globalization and Europe highlights opportunities, identifies challenges—and offers some surprising conclusions.

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780978882198
  • Publication Date: Apr 2008
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days

Fortresses & Icebergs, Volumes 1 and 2

Jeffrey P. Bialos

Commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, this book uses disciplined diagnostic methodologies to assess the openness and accessibility of European and U.S. defense markets. The authors also evaluate the evolving European institutions, laws, policies, practices, and arrangements that impact the defense industry. They also propose recommendations for the future.As the book discusses, a more open and competitive transatlantic defense market can potentially facilitate greater force interoperability and capability acquisition in an era where coalition warfare is the norm. A more competitive market would also encourage greater competition, and the affordability and innovation it brings, in a time of global defense industrial consolidation.

  • Imprint: Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9780980187175
  • Publication Date: Nov 2009
  • Availability: In Stock - Despatched Within 5-7 Working Days