Cardoso and the struggle for reform in Brazil

Article Abstract:

Fernando Henrique Cardoso was widely hailed as Brazil's best president, and was reelected president with a 53.5% majority in October 1998. However his approval ratings fell to record lows soon after he began his second term. It is argued that his political fortunes were linked to his success in taming inflation, and Cardoso's plans to allow the currency to float on exchange markets after billions of dollars were lost in defending the real, led to concern that inflation would once again be revived. President Cardoso should now refocus on deficit reduction rather than program enhancements.

Brazil, Political reform

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Levers for plowshares: using aid to encourage military reform

Article Abstract:

Countries that are spending more than approximately 5% of their gross national product on military matters are overspending on defense and need to be encouraged to bring military spending under control. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should not lend to such countries but should instead encourage them to focus on health and the infrastructure. Developing countries with citizens mired in poverty need to be persuaded that large military budgets should be re-appropriated.

International Monetary Fund, Services, Developing countries, Economic assistance, Foreign economic assistance, World Bank, Military aspects

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The Patriot myth: caveat emptor

Article Abstract:

The Bush administration made blatantly false claims as to the effectiveness of the Patriot missiles after the Persian Gulf War. This misled Congress and citizens about the prudence of spending an additional $1 billion on the Strategic Defense Initiative. A House Government Operations Subcommittee on Legislation and National Security investigated the matter for ten months and found that the missiles had been highly overrated. The chairman of this committee discusses its findings.

Investigations, Missiles, Guided missiles

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