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COVID-19 is an epidemic that emerged in late 2019 and has killed approximately 6.9 million people worldwide as of September 2023. The pandemic also had negative effects on the economy. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on economic indicators. In the study, the relationship between monthly COVID-19 vaccination numbers and export, import, inflation and unemployment variables of 28 European countries for the period 2021:01-2022:01 was examined using the ARDL model and PMG estimator. According to the analysis findings, it was seen that exports and imports did not have a statistically significant relationship with the number of vaccinated people. However, it has been determined that as the number of vaccinated people increases, inflation increases and the unemployment rate decreases. As a result, it has been determined that vaccination positively affects economic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic has started in Wuhan, China in November 2019. To prevent the spread of the pandemic, curfews, etc. measures have been implemented in many countries. Due to the measures implemented, economic activities around the world have come to a standstill. The pandemic also harmed the goods and services trade. The study analyzes how the World goods and services trade affected by the pandemic and to contribute to the literature. As a result, it was determined that there was a break in World Trade and travel variables in 2020:03, government services 2020:04, total services 2020:05, transportation 2020:02, goods-related services 2019:12 and other commercial services 2020:06. Structural change analyses showed that goods trade soon returned to its pre-pandemic level; but it was observed that the recovery in services was slow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines many instances of the same investment game to explore the questions of how violence affects trusting and trustworthy behaviors and how those behaviors affect a country's level of violence or peacefulness. Average responses of players in the investment game are compared across countries experiencing varying degrees of peacefulness or conflict. The primary finding is that a macroeconomic peace index can predict trusting behavior but has no effect on trustworthy behavior. Trustworthiness, on the other hand, affects peacefulness. It is necessary, then for policymakers to foster trust and trustworthiness among individuals in order to maintain peace, and they must work to rebuild macroeconomic institutions to restore trust, to repair communities, and to revitalize economies after conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a Marxian interpretation of international taxation in the context of a global structure of capitalism that has evolved toward a core/periphery division, driven by the process of accumulation of capital and a moving away from the rate of profit's tendency to fall. Taxation played an active role in this, deploying its functions of money regulator and enabling the realization of surplus value and the accumulation of capital. International taxation projects such functions onto the global capitalist system, aligning tax revenue with the holding of money. The analysis of taxation tendencies focuses on OECD proposals and OECD countries. Although improbable given the functions of taxation within capitalism, I propose certain tax reforms as an alternative to the current structure and tendencies of taxation. JEL Classification: F01, H29 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article employs balance of payment constrained growth model (BPCG) to investigate the relevance of exports, capital movements as well as relative prices on growth performance of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 2018. It makes use of autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) for the analysis. It was found that the innovative BPCG model is suitable for the explanation of growth experience of the UK. Accordingly, Keynesian mechanism-income plays the dominant adjustment role in restoring equilibrium. More interestingly, the inclusion of relative prices and capital flows in the balance of payments constraint model tends to influence the levels of output but they do not exert any substantial effect on the balance of payment equilibrium growth rate of the UK. In conclusion, the prosperity and growth of the world (OECD countries) and the expansion of exports would help in guaranteeing the steady-state of the UK economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covid-19 has exposed and deepened global inequalities: rich countries spent aggressively to sustain their economies and secured early vaccine access while most of the developing world continues to endure a growing disease burden. It also underlined the extent of inter-dependence and weaknesses in some of our international institutions and rules, many of which were established in the now discredited era of neo-liberalism. There is a rich, complex, and difficult agenda going forward for international cooperation. This includes aiding developing countries in restructuring their debt obligations, and guaranteeing that multi-national corporations pay their fair share with a robust international tax regime, better trade and intellectual property regimes, and better global regulatory frameworks for competition and social media. The failures of the past rules have led to political opposition to globalization. The only sustainable and inclusive path out of this pandemic is through cooperation and a re-imagining of globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing a business relationship is a complex action influenced by different variables. When we approach the international context, the complexity becomes even greater, with communication between commercial actors playing a crucial role. In this sense, the promotion of effective and unimpeded verbal communication between international partners is crucial for the success of any transaction. It is in this context that economics of language gains relevance, allowing the inclusion of the language spoken by the commercial partners as one of the explanatory factors of international trade, assuming in the explanatory gravitational models of trade flows between countries the role of facilitator of trade exchanges or, on the contrary, of an obstacle to the commercial relationship. Studies in the area of economics of language reveal that economic relations are strongly influenced by language, but language choices can also be influenced by economic factors, which is why this is a bilateral relationship. The study we present here focuses on how verbal communication (measured according to linguistic proximity, that is, a greater or lesser degree of similarity between the language spoken by two business partners) influences the commercial relations established in an international context. In this study, we conclude that, based on data on the volume of Portuguese exports in 2015, the ease of verbal communication with the trading partner has a positive influence on the increase in trade - in empirical terms, this conclusion is corroborated by the fact that Spain is Portugal's main trading partner. We conclude that the language factor is not being well used by the Portuguese State, as the linguistic proximity could be used to increase Portuguese exports, namely with the countries that compose the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and with those that integrate the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union has never been more realistic and upto- date since joining the European Communities (EC) as it is today. The UK is facing a unique situation. At present, this depends solely on the capabilities of European and British government officials, who negotiate the terms of withdrawal and future cooperation between the two entities. The main goal of this paper is based on the British - Slovak trade relations development analysis to figure out their impact within the Brexit consequences on the future Slovak economy and its current status in international economic relations. The paper also provides a basic overview of Brexit process and its possible impact on the EU's further functioning. Basic data will be drawn from generally accepted institutions, evaluating the UK and Slovak trade and economic performance. To accomplish this goal, methods such as analysis and comparison to illustrate the UK-Slovak foreign trade development, synthesis and logical deduction to discuss the Brexit impact on Slovak economic environment in the future are to be used; data from scientific and professional publications, periodical and non-periodical press. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis, which showed that because of the size of economic relations between Slovakia and the United Kingdom and the number of goods and services being exported to the UK, the «hard» Brexit will be very unfavourable for Slovak foreign trade due to the possible tariffs being imposed. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that it can cause a significant weakening and slowdown in the Slovak economy. Either way, the upcoming Brexit process, that is the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union, would have a major impact not only on British, European but also on the world economy. The impact of Brexit on Slovakia's economy will not only be in reducing the possible growth of the economy, but also in employment and price increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the effect of European Competition Policy as the means of the EU in global political economy. Competition policy can be identified as an important tool for the EU in its external relations. It both helps to increase the chance of domestic producers to reach foreign markets and regulates foreign firms and their products within the single market. Thus, the competition policy carries the EU up in the international political economy and helps the EU to be recognized as an international actor. Within the Single Market the EU exercise an exclusive power through competition policy. Externally, competition policy is one of the most effective international powers that EU exercises as it has the ability to regulate international mergers or even initiate cartel investigations. Alongside assessing the competition policy, this study focuses especially on some selected international cases of which the EU is a party through its competition law. It is argued, in this article, that the international power of the EU stemmed considerably from its competition policy which is integral in global political economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forthcoming Industry 4.0 Industrial Revolution, also called a digital revolution, is characterized by a blending of technologies that erase the boundaries between physical, digital and biological spheres. There are gains from international trade. Importing and exporting of goods is big business in today's global economy thus international trade is supposed to be beneficial for a particular economy even for the USA. Paper deals with issues such as the U.S. foreign trade characteristics and the impact of Industry 4.0 on the US trade and economy. This study is analyzing the US trade policy agenda and discussing the impact of Industry 4.0 on the U.S. foreign trade and economy and its current status in international economic relations. By implementing the Industry 4.0 approaches into the U.S. foreign trade agenda, the economy of United States can keep the leading role in world economy not only today but also in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various growth performances of different countries and integration attempts led to several axis and paradigm shifts in the world's economic history. The last shift including Brazil, RF, India and PRC, which forms the theme of the study, was nomenclatured by Jim O'Neill in 2001 as BRIC, being inspired by the first letters of the countries. USA took over the title of world economic leader from England in 1890 and handed over this leadership to PRC in 2014, a year which was very much earlier than the anticipations that was predicated at the first step as 2050. Actually, this handover among PRC and USA is the shaping of BRIC miracle in flesh and bones, which incorporates the last chain of the different economic success stories of the 20th century. In the study, the economic performances of BRIC countries are studied in details and it is revealed that they would afford more advantage from this axis shift if they take joint action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various growth performances of different countries and integration attempts led to several axis and paradigm shifts in the world's economic history. The last shift including Brazil, RF, India and PRC, which forms the theme of the study, was nomenclatured by Jim O'Neill in 2001 as BRIC, being inspired by the first letters of the countries. USA took over the title of world economic leader from England in 1890 and handed over this leadership to PRC in 2014, a year which was very much earlier than the anticipations that was predicated at the first step as 2050. Actually, this handover among PRC and USA is the shaping of BRIC miracle in flesh and bones, which incorporates the last chain of the different economic success stories of the 20th century. In the study, the economic performances of BRIC countries are studied in details and it isrevealed that they would afford more advantage from this axis shift if they take joint action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global economic and political elements are interconnected. The article presents study and analysis of selected topics of international economics with reference to corresponding Islamic views. Global trade has become a necessity since natural advantage and industrial specialization of certain countries in production of many goods. On the other hand, many other count ries supply the necessary raw mater ial for the international production facilities. Many regional co-operation organizations have emerged since second world war for better economic and policitical relations among adjoing countries. Economic boycotts are sometimes used as global policitical tool. Migration of labor has resulted from the need to obtain required talent accross the borders. This article presents all these topics and related Islamic teachings with specific reference to research of Shaykh Ahmad Raza, a Hanafi jurist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a conceptual model, developed from analyzing over fifty trade agreement related research studies published during the last decade, which allows international business scholars to explore the influence of trade agreements (custom unions, free trade agreements, preferential trade agreements, regional trade agreements) on foreign market entry strategies. This model is an attempt to develop IB theory to address the current research gap in this very narrow but important allied field. Empirical findings generated by interviewing dairy produce exporters in New Zealand reveal a remarkable connection between TAs and IB, with TAs found to influence the regulative environment of participating countries, which may in turn reduce the regulative distance between member nations. The contribution provides a basis for IB researchers to explore this connection in multiple industries/countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore how capitalism has developed into a deeply integrative economic system of financial investments and manufacturing. This process of globalization has brought about the emergence of a transnational capitalist class that rules the world's economy. Financialization, created by the speed and interconnectivity of information technologies, is a key element that has produced immense wealth for a few while reducing their dependence on the labor of workers. This system of global accumulation has lead to a crisis of democracy with several different possible outcomes. Design/methodology/approach - This paper begins with an historical examination of capitalism and capitalist class formation by tracing developments from nation-centric capitalism to globalization. A conceptual explanation of the development of the transnational capitalist class (TCC) is offered. Research on current economic data to support the thesis on the emergence of the TCC in both its private and statist forms is included, as well as an examination of the latest technology developments that affect financialization and how this impacts class relations. The conclusion analyzes the development of democracy as a class dialectic, and the impact of globalization that is altering the historic relationships between capital and labor. The paper ends with a discussion of possible political/economic futures. Findings - Globalization is a new era in which capitalism has deepened its inherent tendency toward creating world markets and production. This process has been greatly enhanced by the new technological tools of financial production. Organizing and overseeing this system of global accumulation is the transnational capitalist class. The emergence of this class has transformed class relations based within the historic perimeters of nation-states, and it threatens the content and character of democracy that arose out of the bourgeois democratic revolutions in America and France. Originality/value - Transnational Capitalist Class Theory is a recently developed field of research. It is a new critic of mainstream international relations analysis which centers on nation to nation relationships. It also differs with world system theory which divides countries into a center/peripheral analysis. Within the field of TCC research, this paper offers an original historic perspective between global economics and the development of democracy. It also makes new theoretical connections between information technology, financialization and the destruction of the social contract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the Second World War, the world economic order has been changed from the colonial system to the hegemonic system. In this process, many new nation-states had given struggle for survival post-war in the new world order. Today, led to the culmination of globalization has metamorphosed in the structure of the nation-state. Within the framework of game theory, modern nation-state structure shows significant progress strategic moves in terms of political relations and international economy. In this study have been studied strategic economic wars between the hegemonic system and nation-state system in the international relations network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a theoretical approach of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in order to assess whether CSR will develop as a concept pushing efficiently for more de facto social responsibility or will become a pure marketing artefact. The trade-off between the development of CSR behaviour and lobbying over regulations is a key element that will influence the evolution of CSR. The result is that if the world consolidates or if it tends towards multilateralism to a large extent, then CSR is less likely to have an efficient impact.Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical approach based on three fields: credence goods, greenwashing and political economy.Findings – The coordination is harder for lobbies in the more multilateral scenario. The more politically powerful group would lose its influence on the decision body in the multipolar scenario. If lobbies keep influencing their state governments, the efficiency would also be reduced in the regionalization or multipolar scenarios. The easiness of the greenwashing strategy is also crucial in order to determine the possible evolution of the CSR as a real commitment that benefits environment and society.Research limitations/implications – Countries may take advantage of CSR by offering an advantage to firms willing to develop CSR thanks to public regulations if greenwashing is easy and if the evolution of the world that prevails is similar to the tripolar or regionalization scenarios. This may also occur under the multipolar scenario but it would necessitate an effective international coordination.Originality/value – This is the first work that brings together the strategic behaviour of firms with respect to Corporate Social Responsibility and political economy determinants. The predicted evolutions of these two features according to the degree of multilateralism as well as how they are intertwined are also novelties of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the key changes in the world economy that are the causes and the accelerants of the transformations of the management principles of both national economies and supernational institutions. It observes various degree of globalization impact on modern multi-component macroeconomic systems with multifaceted relationships, resulting in uneven development of certain countries and regions. Based on obtained empirical data, it concludes that the parameters, characterizing the stratification of countries in terms of income distribution between individuals, are showing a narrowing gap. However, depending on the method of calculation, the values of the gaps differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using tick-by-tick data for the dollar–yen and euro–dollar exchange rates recorded on the actual transaction platform, a ‘run’—continuous increases or decreases in deal prices for the past several ticks—does have some predictable information on the direction of the next price movement. Deal price movements, that are consistent with order flows, tend to continue a run once it is started. Indeed, conditional probabilities of a run continuing in the same direction after several consecutive observations exceed 0.5. However, quote prices do not show such a run tendency. Hence, a random walk hypothesis is refuted in a simple test of a run using tick-by-tick data. In addition, a longer continuous increase of the price tends to be followed by a larger reversal. The findings suggest that those market participants who have access to real-time, tick-by-tick transaction data may have an advantage in predicting exchange rate movements. The findings reported here also lend support to the momentum trading strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we show the balance of knowledge deficit in Peru compared to the surplus of its trade balance and the necessity to transform the structure and technological coefficients of exports to close this knowledge gap. We analyze major economic policies that could help in closing the gap, especially industrial and technological innovation policies, rethinking intellectual property rights and impelling the forces that propagate the economic system as a whole. "Openness" and the "good management of macroeconomic fundamentals" are necessary but not sufficient conditions to transform the economy, which for better performance need the strategic "will and wit" of adding value and a better balance between external and national interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial organization economics and resource-based views of the firm have disagreed over what matters most to profitability for more than 60 years. Until recent variance decomposition studies started trying to determine the relative importance of industry, corporate parent, and business segment on profitability, little research had been done to investigate the extent to which difference in countries could explain the variation in industry performance. This study explores variation in high-tech industry performance, with particular interest in the relative effects of country versus industry for four country classes and eight geographic regions. A variance components model revealed that while country dominated high-tech industry performance in the developed countries and geographic regions North America, South America, All America, Western Europe, and All Europe, industry factors played a role in the development of high-tech industries worldwide. We also found that the effects of industry contributed substantially to the performance of high-tech industry when there was sustainable investment and innovation, especially in newly industrializing economies, large less-developed countries, and Southeast Asia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the economic, political and security relations between Brazil and the 25 Caribbean countries - Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana and Suriname, inasmuch the colonial territories. The text suggests that the economic relations are very intensive. The political dialogue is constructive, in the security field, there are some convergences and divergences derived from the Brazilian South American project. At the end, the paper considers three reasonable scenarios for Brazilian-Caribbean relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the pattern of flows of net foreign direct investment for the long run (1991-2005) in 18 countries of the Latin American Region and tests the hypothesis of positive relationship between the size of gross domestic product and the flows of net FDI. Based on the analysis of global trends and other factors, the ordinary linear regression of the figures available for the long term period shows a high degree of correlation between the size of the gross domestic product and the flows of net direct investment by country. In the case of Colombia the long term performance is better than expected -in spite of the political risk involved-, but the failure in developing new areas for export-oriented foreign direct investment, due the lack of good infrastructure, remains a major constraint for growth based on investment projects that enhance economic efficiency and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores why international economic cooperation is both potentially beneficial and difficult to attain in practice. Taking nation states as unitary actors the paper uses game theory to explore the difficulties states face to sustain cooperation over time. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the incentives for following non-cooperative behavior, as well as on problems of time inconsistency. The paper also discusses how the existence of economic hegemonies can facilitate cooperation, as well as how the existence of international regimes and institutions fosters cooperation by modifying the incentives different states face. Thus, cooperation can be facilitated but never ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To test the Feldstein-Horioka hypothesis that the investment-to-output ratio moves one-for-one with the saving-to-output ratio, suggesting international capital mobility. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses the econometric framework developed by Fisher and Seater, interpreting the Feldstein-Horioka hypothesis as a long-run phenomenon, and paying particular attention to the integration properties of the data, since meaningful tests critically depend on these properties. The paper also investigates the power of the long-horizon regression tests, using the inverse power function of Andrews. Findings - The paper tests the Feldstein-Horioka hypothesis for 15 European countries, as well as for the USA and Japan, using annual data for the period from 1960 to 2002. Evidence is found against the Feldstein and Horioka hypothesis of low international capital mobility. Originality/value - Although the findings are in contrast to those of Feldstein and Horioka, they are consistent with neoclassical growth theory according to which there is no reason to expect a relation between saving and investment if there are no barriers to capital movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper sets out to estimate discount rates for EU members, on a consistent time preference basis, for application in the appraisal of social projects. The value of the discount rate can have an important influence on the allocation of funds between short-term and long-term uses. Design/methodology/approach - A key component of the social discount rate is the elasticity of marginal utility of consumption (e) and it is estimated from OECD data relating to marginal and average rates of income tax. A tax model based on the principle of equal absolute sacrifice of satisfaction is employed. Findings - The estimated discount rates, based on social time preference, mostly lie in the range 3-5.5 per cent The main source of variation in rates is differential growth in per capita consumption. Estimates of e are reasonably consistent and for 15 of the countries they lie in the range 1.3-1.6. Research limitations/implications - For more comprehensive tax information, then additional data from each country's tax authority are required. The research on estimates of e and social time preference rates can be extended to cover non-European countries. Practical implications - In the interests of a consistent equitable treatment of future generations, member countries of the EU should employ the same methodology in estimating social discount rates. Originality/value - This paper applies a practical tax-based approach to the estimation of e for a large number of European countries. The paper will be of interest to academics specialising in welfare economics and to practitioners involved in social project appraisal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay aims to bring two important lines of inquiry and criticism together. It first lays out an institutionally enriched account of what a just world economic order will look like. That account prescribes, via the requisites to that mechanism which most directly instantiates the account,“three realms of equal treatment and market completion”—the global products, services, and labor markets; the global investment/financial markets; and the global preparticipation opportunity allocation. The essay then suggests how, with minimal if any departure from familiar canons of traditional international legal mandate interpretation, each of the Bretton Woods institutions—particularly the GATT/WTO and the IMF—can be viewed at least in part as charged with the task of fostering equal treatment and ultimate market completion within one of those three realms. The piece then argues that one of the institutions in particular—the World Bank—has, for reasons of at best negligent and at worst willful injustice on the part of influential state actors in the world community, fallen farthest short in pursuit of what should be viewed as its proper mandate. The article accordingly concludes that a fuller empowerment of the Bank to effect its ideal mission will press the Bretton Woods system more nearly into ethical balance, and with it the world into justice; and that full empowerment of the GATT/WTO and IMF should be partly conditioned upon the fuller empowerment of the Bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines and dissects eight popular conjectures about exchange rates. The conjectures are: there exists a systematic linkage between economic fundamentals and exchange rates; flexible exchange rates are unstable due to destabilising speculation; flexible exchange rates are excessively volatile; the foreign exchange market is efficient; purchasing power parity holds; volatile exchange rates are harmful to trade; depreciateing exchange rates trigger a "vicious" inflammatory circle; and countries with current account deficits have depreciating exchange rates. The main message is that there is weak theoretical and empirical support for the majority of the conjectures. Only one proposition, relative PPP has strong empirical support but its policy relevance is weakened by the difficulty of interpreting departures from PPP. The remaining group for which there is inconclusive support presents the greatest challenge to research and policy as it includes the first conjecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Productivity bias hypothesis claims that deviation of the PPP based exchange rate from the equilibrium rate is mainly due to productivity differentials among countries. Early studies that employed cross-sectional data in testing the hypothesis provided mixed results. A few time-series studies have provided some support for the hypothesis. This paper relies on panel data and recent advances in panel unit-root and panel cointegration analysis and provides strong results supporting the hypothesis. The results are not sensitive to classification of the world by regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines a hitherto neglected book published in 1918 by M. I. Tugan-Baranovskii, which is devoted to outlining his vision of an international socialist economy. It focuses on Tugan's approach to economic planning, money and prices in socialism, and the new international economic order. It is shown that Tugan attempted to assimilate marginalism into his vision of planning, and was more flexible than the Bolsheviks in adapting socialist economics to the task at hand. The reception of Tugan's approach is also briefly sketched, as is the context of the socialist calculation debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-Cold War has seen ever increasing threats to national and international security. Security problem in the 21st century are becoming even more complex and multidimensional and a growing array of military, non-military and transnational factors are shaping the international security landscape. The contributors to this volume debate on these considerations and their essays are divided in three parts. Part 1 focuses on weapons and security and the strategic implications of US military hegemony and the dynamics and dangers of weapons proliferation. The second part examines the non-military aspects of security, the scope of the international security agenda and of factors such as environmental change and resource competitions, demographic developments, the impact of HIV/AIDS on political and military instability and the complex effects of humanitarian assistance. The third and final part of the book examines the roots and ramifications of contemporary international terrorism, the contributions of NGOs and the emergence of private military firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book highlights the military, political and diplomatic errors made by Western European powers in handling the Yugoslav crisis and their lack of preparedness in dealing with this foreseen crisis after the death of Marshall Tito. They had no coherent plans ready for a rational brokering of the resulting problems of state succession. The author is critical of the premature state recognition by certain leading Western European political players and discusses whether that may have triggered the on-rush of political and military events which led to the Bosnian and Kosovo tragedies in the 1990s. The book also examines the consequences and challenges for international law and law-making in the face of current developments and considers, in particular, the direct conflict between the UN Charter principle of Non-Intervention and the claimed ‘New’ International Law principle of Humanitarian Intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]