Summer 1995
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
WELCOME TO THE NEW ATWS
NEWSLETTER
After a year of preparation, the ATWS Newsletter is now branching out on its own. Last year ATWS Executive Director Zia Hashmi gave his generous support to create the newsletter by allocating space within his Center for International Studies publication, International Perspectives. This was an important first step and Zia Hashmi deserves the thanks of the Association.
Much of the credit for the newsletter’s new life goes to Marcia Jones, chair of the ATWS Information Committee. She saw the need for this new direction and obtained the support of the College of Business Administration at Georgia Southern University to make the new venture possible. With its independence the newsletter will have greater flexibility in matters of scheduling and length so it can continue to serve the organization and its members.
Ultimately, though, you the readers and members are the most important part of the newsletter, whatever the format! We want your comments, suggestions, and participation. We have moved fast and far, but we can move even faster and farther if we have your active involvement.
ASSOCIATION OF THIRD WORLD STUDIES
ELECTION RESULTS FOR 1995
Bill Head, Chair
Nominating Committee
The members of the Association of Third World Studies participated in their annual elections from February 28 to April 15, 1995. To be sure, all three candidates for vice-president/president-elect (October 1995 – October 1998) were highly qualified in many ways. Most have been active members in the Association for a very long time. Thus, on behalf of all the members of the nominating committee it is my great honor to announce the election results. For vice-president/president-elect – Don Simmons won the contest with 69 votes while the second and third place positions were occupied by Nader Entessar and Debra Sabia. For Executive Council Post #1 – Julius Ihonvbere was elected with 55 votes. The remaining candidates finished in the following order: Paul Rodell, Jacob Abadi, Sharon Tracy, Houman Sadri, and Norman Murdoch.
All together, the current membership of 555 cast 178 ballots which is a record for any ATWS election. The previous high vote total was 155 votes cast during the 1994 election. In the election nine ballots were either not marked or had multiple votes and thus, were invalid.
As a result of this election, Don Simmons will assume the responsibilities of vice-president/president-elect at the annual conference to be held this October at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. At that time the current Vice-President/President-Elect, Michael Bishku, will become president of the Association for the 1995-1996 term. Don Simmons will also act as conference arrangements committee, chair for the 1996 conference to be held at Troy State University, Montgomery. During that meeting he will, as president-elect, become ATWS president for the 1996-1997 term. Julius Ihonvbere will also assume his position at the 1995 annual conference. He will take over his responsibilities from Marc Gilbert and serve a three year term from October 1995 to October 1998.
The members of the nominating committee and the members of the executive committee wish to express their deepest appreciation to all those who ran for office and to those who voted. We encourage those who were not elected to consider running again. There will be many more opportunities to serve! Thanks again and best wishes to all the membership.
John Mukum Mbaku
THE THIRD WORLD IN THE POST-COLD WAR PERIOD:
ASSIGNMENT FOR ATWS MEMBERS
Eastern Europe’s struggle for more participatory governmental systems and free markets appears to have had a significant, positive impact on the reform movement in many Third World countries. In many developing countries, the last several decades have been characterized by civilian and military dictatorships, extremely high levels of poverty and material deprivation, corruption, nepotism, political violence and institutional instability, food insecurity and starvation, state sanctioned oppression and suffocation of civil society, racial intolerance, and opportunism by political and military elites. While some countries have managed to improve national standards of living, the quality of life for most Third World inhabitants has either decreased or risen only marginally. Evidence from the World Bank and the United Nations shows that many people in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean continue to suffer from high levels of material deprivation. Although prospects for the new century look relatively bleak, these people have an opportunity to turn things around. The end of the Cold War and the subsequent cessation of superpower rivalry has provided Third World nationals a rare opportunity to choose new and more effective political and economic institutions to help them prepare for the new century. These countries should be able to design, without interference from abroad, institutions that will maximize the participation of population groups in national development.
Several studies have been done to determine obstacles to economic and human development in the Third World. Some of the development constraints include bureaucratic and political corruption, problems associated with excessive populaton growth, political instability, huge and unmanageable external debts, economic dependence, poorly developed economic infrastructures, and poorly designed, inefficient, weak and nonviable institutions. Many researchers have argued, however, that the bulk of the constraints to human and economic development listed above are actually symptoms of inappropriate or poorly designed institutions. For example, it is argued that the endemic nature of bureaucratic corruption in developing countries is related to the extent of government intervention in private exchange. If the nation’s constitution specifically restricts the state’s ability to regulate international trade, then the civil servant will be unable to extract bribes from potential importers since licenses or permits are not required for the importation of goods. Also, political violence in many developing countries has been related to the inability of existing institutional frameworks to respond effectively to the increased demand by citizens for greater levels of participation. It is argued that in the last several decades Third World leaders have devoted significant effort to the development of the institutions of state coercion but have neglected the development of the institutions of popular participation. In fact, in several regions of the Third World, there is a severe shortage of institutionalized political institutions. Thus, increased levels of mobilization by population groups seeking to improve their participation in the political and economic systems of their respective countries has led to political violence since existing institutions are incapable of effectively handling the increased demand for participation. To properly prepare the Third World for the new century, each country must engage in some degree of policy reform. The primary purpose of such a reform effort is to choose new political and economic institutions that would provide the enabling environment for economic and human development. These new institutions must maximize the contributions of all population groups to national development.
The task for citizens of Third World countries is to choose new economic and political institutions to lead them into the 21st century. Several academic disciplines, all of which are well represented in the ATWS, can provide the guidelines that can be utilized to help Third World countries develop appropriate institutions. Such institutions enhance growth and development and improve the quality of life for citizens of these countries in the next century. Many developing countries are currently attempting to develop new constitutions and effect a transition to democratic and more participatory systems of government. In addition, these countries also hope to choose a development path that will significantly improve the contribution of peasants to national development and provide the resources needed to eliminate mass poverty and deprivation. Although a few countries continue to make progress in their democratization effort, many countries have actually restored their authoritarian regimes. In several countries, incumbents have hijacked the transition programs and are attempting to manipulate them in order to continue to maintain a monopoly on power and the allocation of resources. In countries such as South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria, groups that see reform as a threat to their privileged positions have mounted severe opposition to the impending changes. Effective policy reform requires a lot of work and dedication. It also requires the assistance of dedicated researchers and experts. Unfortunately for many developing countries, there is a severe shortage of researchers to develop reform packages appropriate for each country. As a result, many countries have had to rely on poorly designed and generic transition programs imported from abroad. In addition to the fact that most of these generic programs are designed by individuals who lack place and time information, they do not take into consideration each country’s unique characteristics, resource endowments, etc. Efficient, responsive and accountable governmental systems are an essential ingredient for development. It is time to replace the corrupt, repressive and nonresponsive institutions in the Third World with more effective and viable ones. Given the uniqueness of each country, efficient and responsive institutions can only be designed with the involvement of all relevant population groups. As a result, facilities must be provided for the local people to actively participate in the reform process. Unless all stakeholders are allowed effective participation in the reform process, the resulting institutions are not likely to function properly. Membership in the Association of Third World Studies consists of scholars and researchers from all continents. These individuals are in a position to augment local talent and help Third World countries complete their transition programs. In addition to the fact that some members of the ATWS reside in Third World countries, a large number of ATWS members were either born in the Third World or have ties to these countries. In addition, many ATWS scholars who were born and raised in the United States and other developed countries have shown a genuine interest in eliminating mass poverty in the Third World and improving the quality of life for Third World peoples. As a result, the ATWS is in a position to provide the assistance that the Third World needs to prepare itself for the 21st century. As the 1994-1995 President of the Association of Third World Studies, I appeal to all members to dedicate their research agendas for the next several years to helping Third World countries complete their transition to more accountable governmental and more responsive economic systems. Participation in this project will enrich your life as a scholar, teacher and researcher, and allow you to have a gainful and enjoyable career in academia.
Paul J. Magnarella, former ATWS president (1992-1993) and now special counsel of ATWS, has been notified by the United States Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia that he has been appointed to serve the Tribunal at the Hague during June and July. Dr. Magnarella, who teaches anthropology as well as international law at the University of Florida, will offer expertise in the field of victims and witnesses programs and will lecture on ethnic problems.
Gary Kline’s article, “Food as a Human Right,” originally published in the Spring 1993 issue of the JTWS, was abridged and reprinted this spring, under the title “The Industrial Food Production System Harms Poor Nations,” by Greenhaven Press in Hunger, a volume in the California publisher’s Current Controversies Series.
Shizhang Hu (assistant professor of history, University of Wisconsin-Platteville) has authored Stanley K. Hornbeck and the Open Door Policy, 1919-1937, published this March by Greenwood Press. The book costs $50.95, but ATWS members are eligible for a 20 percent discount. Call 1-800-225-5800 and mention source code F238 to get the discount.
Since Hornbeck had more influence on policy toward Asia than any other State Department official between the presidencies of Wilson and FDR, Dr. Hu’s book is the key to understanding U.S. foreign policies, including the Open Door, American extraterritoriality in China, the Stimson Doctrine, and the economic embargo against Japan. Dr. Hu’s work is based on extensive archival research and current literature in both English and Chinese. Professor Hu brings a Chinese perspective to his examination of Hornbeck’s career and American policy in Asia.
Harold Isaacs (Georgia Southwestern College) is known to most ATWS members as the Association’s founder and Journal editor, but this is just a part of this busy man’s activities. Dr. Isaacs organized the 14th Annual Third World in Perspective Program Seminar Series at his campus with the theme “Historical and Contemporary Third World Developments.” The series included separate seminars for four regions with Dr. Karl P. Magyar of Air University (Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL) on Africa; Dr. William M. Leary of the University of Georgia who addressed Asian issues; Dr. Terry L. McCoy, the director of the University of Florida’s Center for Latin American Studies; and the Israeli Consul in Atlanta, Mr. Eitan Surkis-Almog who spoke on current developments in the Middle East. The 1995-1996 GSW’s Third World Seminar Series will focus on “Democracy, Human Rights, and Economic Development in the Third World.”
As well, on February 16, Dr. Isaacs held a seminar at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia on the topic “Factors and Conditions Shaping the Destiny of Latin America on the Eve of the 21st Century.” Lastly, he coordinated a Third World Studies Conference at GSW on April 20 with the theme “Security Issues in the Third World During the Post-Cold War Era” with many featured speakers including ATWS members Dr. William Head, Dr. Steve Y. Rhee, Dr. Karl P. Magyar, and Dr. Vincent Simiyu.
William Head (Warner Robins Air Force Base) received the Air Force Special Achievement Award for 1994 as the “Most Outstanding historian in the U.S. Air Force” and his Command’s 1994 award for “Most Outstanding Publication” for his book Prepare for Combat Cochran Field, Georgia and the Training of RAF Cadets, 1941-1945. Meanwhile, his latest book has just come off the Texas A&M University Press, Every inch a Soldier: Augustine Warner Robins and the Building of U.S. Airpower and is available for $45.
Paul Goldstene was selected as the 1994-1995 recipient of the California State University, Sacramento, Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award. It was presented to him on April 20, 1995 at which time he presented a speech entitled “Science Technology, and Promises Broken: The Current Politics of Cynicism.”
George Pruden (Armstrong State College) was a participant in a roundtable panel at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Southeast Conference, Association for Asian Studies on January 16 at Hilton Head, SC. The panel was entitled “Faculty Development Seminars in China” and Professor Pruden described his involvement with the Georgia state system’s program last summer at Nanjing Normal University. He also made a similar presentation at the 2nd National Conference of the Asian Studies Development Program in Baltimore in April.
Paul Rodell (Georgia Southern University) was a discussant for a two session panel “Indochina: Perceptions and Prospects” and was the participant for “Southeast Asia” in a roundtable session “Asia in 1994″ at the SE Conference/AAS, January 16 in Hilton Head, SC. His review of The Philippine Revolution: The Leader’s View, by Jose Maria Sison and Rainer Werning appeared in Pilipinas: A Journal of Philippine Studies, No. 21 [published in late 1994] pp.95-97.
E. Ike Udogu (Francis Marion University) will serve as the guest editor of a special January 1995 issue of the International Journal of Comparative African and Asian Studies. The theme for this volume is “Democracy and Democratization in Africa: Toward the 21st Century” and will address such issues as development civil society, education, and religion, in addition to the central concern of democracy.
A. Z. Hilai (University of Peshawar, Pakistan) published three articles in 1994 on Pakistan’s role in South Asian security matters in the Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, the Pakistan Defense Review, and Pakistan Horizon. He also analyzed China’s role in Asian environment and security matters for The China Report.
Louise Bourgault contributed an article “Nigeria” to The International World of Electronic Media, edited by Lynne Schaper-Gross, NY, McGraw-Hill, 1995, pp.233-254. She also published “Training African Media Personnel: Some Psycho-Cultural Considerations,” in African Journal, Vol. 16 (1994) pp.51-65.
Dorothea A.L. Martin (Appalachian State University) had her paper “Juxtaposing China’s 19th and 20th Centuries’ Ti/Yong Dilemmas,” published in Annals, Southeast Conference, Association for Asian Studies, Vol. 15 (1993), pp. 25-32. She also served as the Association’s program chair for its 1994 meeting.
David Moore-Sieray (Maseno University College, Kenya) is currently serving as the managing editor of the Maseno Journal of Education, Arts and Science and he invites contributions.
Lt. Col. Albert Mitchum (U.S. Air Force) recently completed the advanced training course of Argentina’s National Defense College. He was also one of Karl Magyar’s associate editors for Challenge and Response: Anticipating U.S. Military Security Concerns, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, Air University Press, 1994.
Robert Maxon (West Virginia University) had the second and revised edition of his book East Africa: An Introductory History published by West Virginia University Press in 1994.
David Hicks (Auburn University) presented a paper in February on remote sensing for environmental applications in Bolivia at the Chancellor’s Forum 95 at Troy State University. In December 1994 he also made presentations at a conference “Panama 1994-1999, Sustainable Development in Central America,” held at his home institution.
Ruben Berrios published “Why America Should Lift Its Cuban Embargo,” in the October 1994 issue of Contemporary Review and spent the spring in Cuba with the assistance of a research grant from the Cuba Exchange Program of Johns Hopkins University.
James Cobb (Florida State University) has a chapter “Some Economics of Massive Temporary Labor Migration,” in James Wilmot, editor, Crossing Borders, Cape Town, IDASA, 1995.
The INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE AFRICAN AND ASIAN STUDIES invites contributors to a special theme issue “Democracy and Democratization in Africa: Toward the 21st Century.” Papers must not exceed twenty-five pages typed and double-spaced, with a short abstract (about eight lines) and endnotes. Send your diskette, hard copy, and complete mailing address to Professor E. Ike Udogu, Department of Political Science, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC 29501.
The SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES invites subscribers and contributors. The journal is published quarterly; special issues are planned often to analyze specific questions and issues relevant to African and Third World studies. Send inquiries or contributions to Dr. Frank Vivekananda, Editor, PO Box 7444, S-103 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
THE GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN invites application for grant projects on female human rights issues. The latest grants have supported women’s efforts to attain equality, peace, and environmental autonomy under a range of difficult social and economic conditions. To date, the Fund has made 678 grants to 536 women’s groups in 100 countries. For more information contact: Mila Vissert Hooft, Fundraising and Outreach Manager. TEL (415) 854-0420, FAX (415) 854-8050, Email: [ gfw@igc.apc.org ].
STUDENT INTERNSHIPS are offered by The Feminist Majority. Interested college, graduate, and professional school students should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Internship Coordinator, Feminist Majority, 1600 Wilson Blvd. #801, Arlington, VA 22209 or 8105 W. Third St., #1, Los Angeles, CA 90084.
August 1995 BEIJING CONFERENCE/NGO FORUM PANEL possibilities – Chris Weiss is planning a workshop on affirmative action. Contact her at TEL (304) 344-8805. Barbara Dicks will do a workshop on Black Women and Development. Contact her at TEL (203) 241-4767.
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Committee Meetings |
| 4:10 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Panels |
1. Roundtable: Elites, Politics and National Development in the Third World
2. Islam: History, Politics and Economics
3. Security Issues in the Third World
4. Literature in Africa and about the Third World
| FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 | |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Panels |
5. Religion and Politics in Israel
6. Religion and the Political Process in Kenya
7. History, Politics, and Religion in Latin America
8. Politics, Economics and Women in Asia
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Panels |
9. Islamic Religious Movements and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
10. Imperialism and Crisis in Nigeria
11. Development, Health, and Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean
12. Culture and Development in Africa
| Noon – 1:20 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. | Panels |
13. The Middle East and Central Asia: Domestic Affairs and International Relations
14. Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa
15. Issues in Caribbean and Latin American Economics
16. Women in Africa and Asia
| 3:30 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. | Panels |
17. Kurdistan: Domestic and International Issues
18. Religion and Politics in Southern and Western Africa
19. China: Domestic and Foreign Issues
20. Education, Politics, Reform, Agriculture, and the Mass Media in Africa
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Banquet |
| Speaker | Halil Ugur, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador |
| SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Panels |
21. Religion and Politics: The Case of Algeria and India
22. The Horn and East Africa: History and Politics
23. Politics and Economics in the Caribbean Basin
24. Politics and Economics in Nigeria
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Panels |
25. Roundtable: Islamist Groups as Populist Opposition in the Middle East and North Africa
26. Roundtable: Constraints to Policy Reform: The Continuing Struggle for Democratization in Africa
27. Roundtable: Post-Cold War Latin America: Will Democracy Survive?
28. Issues of Development, Race, Art and Communication
| 12:30 – 1:50 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Executive Board Meeting |
AREA DATA AND SYLLABI APPEAL
Rolin Mainuddin, chair of the teaching committee, asks us to fill out and return the area interest questionnaire that he mailed out this spring, plus a brief vita concerning your area of interest. (Included in the spring mailing was a sample vita provided by ATWS president John Mbaku that can serve as your model.) These items will serve two purposes:
- They will facilitate conference planning, especially the matching of discussant expertise with panel needs.
- They will allow the organization to identify a pool of experts for various geographical and topical areas. One ATWS goal is to grow into a think-tank that can influence policy-makers on Third World issues. Preliminary steps have already been taken on this matter by ATWS Executive Director Zia Hashmi who has contacted the U.S. State Department desk officers and various Third World embassies in Washington and New York.
On a separate topic, Professor Mainuddin also requested that members send him copies of their various course syllabi so that these may be shared with others. This is especially important if we intend to expand the traditional college curriculum beyond its very strong European bias.
Materials, questions, or comments should be sent to:
Dr. Rolin Mainuddin
3519 Barcelona Avenue
Durham, NC 27707
SEND YOUR NEWS
This is the third issue of the ATWS Newsletter and I hope it fills a real need for both the organization and its membership. Communication is the key to any successful venture.
If the newsletter is to succeed, I need to hear from you! Please remember the ATWS Newsletter when you have news.
For example, whenever you receive a grant, publish something, or deliver a conference paper, I’ll bet that you update your resume. Why not also let your ATWS friends know of your latest achievements? Beyond member news, please think of the newsletter if you wish to share some observations, report on recent travel, or make a suggestion. One member sent in a personal commentary for the winter issue and it was well received. Why don’t you do something, too?
For this issue, I got some information from the directory project, but the most efficient way to get items into the newsletter is to send them directly to the editor. Send your news items to: Dr. Paul Rodell, Co-editor, ATWS Newsletter, Center for International Studies, Georgia Southern University, Landrum Box 8106, Statesboro, GA 30460-8106.
INFORMATION NEEDED
For some time the ATWS Information Committee has thought that an ATWS Directory could be a valuable reference tool for the association’s members. While the annual conference and the newsletter are important forums for communication, only a directory can fill a crucial day-by-day function.
Last year Marcia Jones, chair of the information committee, sent data sheets to ATWS members to gather sufficient information for a directory. To date response has been very poor. Less than one-fifth of the membership returned the forms.
The directory information sheet is reproduced here so that members will have another chance to fill it and return it to: Dr. Marcia Jones, Georgia Southern University, Landrum Box 8151, Statesboro, GA 30460-8151. Please do so as soon as possible.
If the response does not improve, the information committee might assume that the membership does not want a directory.
DIRECTORY OF ATWS MEMBERSHIP
| Name:__________________________________________________________ |
| Profession and Title:_______________________________________________ |
| Address:________________________________________________________ |
| Telephone # _______________Fax #:_________________________________ |
| E-Mail Address:_________________________________________________ |
| Education:____________Institution:__________________________________ |
| (highest degree only) Address:_______________________________________ |
| Areas and Regions of Expertise:______________________________________________________ |
| Availability as a Consultant: |
| Long Term:___________________________________________________ |
| Short Term:______________________________________________________ |
| Research Interests:_________________________________________________ |
| Recent Publications:______________________________________________ |
| Years in ATWS_____________Willing to serve on a Committee:____________________________________________________ |
| Recent Honors and Grants:________________________________________________________ |
| Brief BiographicalInformation:____________________________________ |
| _______________________________________________________________ |
| _______________________________________________________________ |
