»October 1, 2007: The Next Phase of Globalization: Global Integration
The past two decades have witnessed a steady and gradual progress of globalization. The world has seen unsurpassed reduction of poverty and economic progress in many regions, as a result of the economic liberalization policies. Even though opening up of economies have produced a certain level of unsettlement in some segments of the society, the rewards have far exceeded the drawbacks. The liber... ... (MORE)
)»August 28, 2007: The Rating Agencies: The Subprime Crash Circle is Finally Complete
The circle is coming to a completion with the rating agencies filling in the last dots. Yes, the lenders were lenient. Yes, the borrowers were not thinking. Yes, the investment bankers packaged the loans into securities. And, finally, yes, the rating agencies did provide the best investment grade ratings to the securities based on doubtful loans. The subprime mess has no one to blame. Yet, the ... ... (MORE)
»August 27, 2007: A Minsky Moment!
Hyman Minsky was an academic who did not view his life separate from economics. He had been a long time proponent of the theory that financial markets will experience bouts of speculation that may end up in crises based on how long the speculation lasts. His proposition was contrary to the belief in the efficiency of the financial markets. The Wall Street has coined a term called the "Mins... ... (MORE)
»August 20, 2007: Trade-based Money Laundering : A Complex Scheme for Terror Financing
As international banking and finance systems are becoming increasingly regulated, transparent, and scrutinized, the terrorists are seeking new avenues to channel funds to finance the malign ploys. One of the novel mechanisms of terror funding is tied up directly to the global commodity trading machinery. The technical term for the illegal commodity-based trading is "trade-based money laund... ... (MORE)
»July 27, 2007: The Mackey-ian Sin: Playing Rahodeb Online
We are at a critical cross-point as a nation in terms of regulating the behavior of individuals, groups, and communities. The current regulatory framework, whether corporate or otherwise, seems to foster a hyper-environment in which anything can be a subject of serious inquiry, litigation, and possible correction. The quality of being human is becoming a rarity as result of the inhibitory steps... ... (MORE)
