Archive for July, 2007
Critical Views on the OLPC: Testing the Learning Hypothesis
Nicholas Negroponte likes to point out that the OLPC project is “about learning, not about laptops.” So the Harvard International Review and OLPC News take a close look at that value proposition. It is a point worth pondering, for the OLPC is drawing serious money, most famously with Libya committing USD 250 million for 1.2 [...]
Moving Forward on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal
The HT reports that Indian officials, led by Foreign Secretary Menon, have extended their stay to negotiate negotiations of the Indo-US nuclear deal. This can only be a good sign, if nothing else of the commitment of both sides to see this through. Meanwhile, over at YaleGlobal, Teresita Schaffer (previously US deputy assistant secretary of [...]
“Is the UN Colonizing Africa?” asks the BBC
In a sure-to-be controversial piece, the BBC’s Africa “analyst” Martin Plaut asks: “Is the UN Re-colonizing Africa.” Unfortunately for the BBC, Mr. Plaut’s ignorance of the UN seems to be exceeded only by his lack of knowledge of Africa.
Why More Aid Will Not Work - The Limits of Sachs
Gillian from St. Jude asked me to comment on an article by Jeff Sachs on the role of the World Bank. Sachs is well known for his theory that the only way out of poverty for Africa is to double, triple, or quadruple aid. Gillian supports the view that such aid is necessary, indeed critical, [...]
Book Review: In Spite of the Gods, by Ed Luce
Edward Luce spent five years in India as South Asia bureau chief for the Financial Times. In his words during that time, Indians were, with few exceptions, “unreservedly kind, open, hospitable and tolerant.” In return, Luce has gifted India this book - In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India.
The title suggests [...]
Climate Change: Moving Beyond Principle
The July edition of Pragati, (the Indian National Interest review) has just been released. It includes my article on climate change, making a case for India’s engagement on the issue (note an earlier version of the article first appeared on the IEB).
The publication has much else to keep you preoccupied too, with pieces on China, [...]
