Volume 4, Number 1 (2009)
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Item One Hectare at a Time: How the New Land Grab in Africa Will Affect the EU’s Agricultural Sector(2009-12) Schaefer, GeoffThe CAP reforms proposed in 2003 do a good job of bringing the EU’s agronomy into the future. But some aspects of the proposal have not, understandably, taken into account the new phenomenon of purchasing huge swathes of land in Africa. It is hard to predict whether this trend will continue, or at what pace. However, the EU needs to prepare for marked changes in equilibrium food prices. These changes call for a more flexible policy and increased focus on investment. This paper intends to lay out the scope of the land grab, what it means for the EU and how the CAP should be adjusted to meet these future challenges. It will give a number of recommendations to hedge against a more uncertain global agronomy. In doing so the intention is to start the debate not on whether this land grab should be taking place, but how to respond to it now that it is.Item Consideration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: How this Landmark Bill Made Its Way through a Divided Congress(2009-12) Hertz, K. J.Due to the landmark-nature of the economic recovery bill, how it made its way through a divided Congress deserves examination as we look ahead to other major legislative initiatives this Congress—such as health care reform and global climate change legislation. This paper will examine the political and procedural aspects of how the economic recovery bill advanced through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and the Obama Administration‘s role in setting priorities and parameters for the legislation. This work examines the degree to which the economic recovery bill was a leadership driven initiative and the role committees of jurisdiction played in drafting the legislation. It also looks at the procedural steps each chamber took to move the economic recovery bill and the degree to which the process varied from ―regular order‖ and House and Senate rules and norms. Finally, the paper explores the reconciliation of differences between House and Senate bills, and how the political dynamics of each chamber influenced the negotiations as a compromise agreement was brokered between party leaders and key Senate moderates.Item Mental Health Stresses and Services for Military Peacekeepers(2009-12) Mitchell, JennyIn conclusion, though the area is understudied as of yet, there seems to be a clear-cut role for mental health professionals in maintaining the health of peacekeepers worldwide. There also seems to have been an unfortunate lag in military understanding or willingness to address these needs. In 2009 alone, the U.S. has already seen two incidents—one at a CSC in Baghdad and one at Fort Hood, Texas—in which combat stress or the threat of deployment seem to have taken a violent turn toward fratricide. This horrific trend can only be expected to continue if drastic measures are not taken to revitalize current programs and increase timely implementation of new programs.Item Item Combating the Opium Trade in Afghanistan(2009-12) Choi, Mike; Elko, Brett; Krentel, Jeff; Lander, Natasha; Valenti, AmyOur paper will begin with an overview of the history of the drug trade in Afghanistan, and an assessment of why the illicit trade of opium is critical to US interests. We will then address the political and economic effects of the narco-trade on Afghanistan, which will identify possible impediments to successful implementation of counternarcotics plans. Next, we will discuss the Five Pillars Plan, which encompasses the five main policies of the US counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan. Through an understanding of these issues and assessments, we will be able to analyze whether US policy strategies will be effective and whether US counternarcotics policies are addressing these issues.Item Welcome from Faculty Advisor Dr. Todd M. LaPorte(2009-12) LaPorte, Todd M.This fifth issue of New Voices in Public Policy represents some of the best original work produced by students at George Mason’s School of Public Policy in 2009. New Voices is proud to present papers on combating the illicit trade in drugs in Afghanistan, mental health stresses and services for military peacekeepers, human trafficking in Georgia, the intertwining of agriculture and land policy in Africa and the European Union, and a close look at the Congressional politics of the economic stimulus. This issue also introduces something new to New Voices: a short review of an important piece of academic or policy research, in this case a critical look at Michael Ross’ “Oil, Islam and Women.” The staff will be introducing new elements to the journal in the coming months. They welcome your feedback. Academic rigor and policy relevance are the watchwords of New Voices. We hope you find this issue interesting and useful.Item Critique of Michael L. Ross‟ Article, “Oil, Islam, and Women”(2009-12) Al-Nasr, TofolIn his study on the relationship between “Oil, Islam, and Women,” Michael L. Ross concludes that gender inequality in Arab states is influenced by oil rather than Islam.1 This is a captivating argument to me as a female from energy-rich Qatar who is most familiar with the legal rights granted to women. Throughout this paper, I challenge Ross‟ conclusions based on components of Sharia, and argue that Islam, as a basis for “Bedouin biases” is indeed the central cause for “gendered citizenship.”2 Further, reform is taking place in some countries as a result, rather than in spite, of oil revenues.Item The Dangers of Displacement: Vulnerabilities to Trafficking within Georgian IDP Populations(2009-12) Willingham, Kelsey J. V.This study uses key socioeconomic factors, which increase the risk of trafficking as identified in international literature.1 Research aimed to determine if a deviation in vulnerabilities exists between the IDP population and the overall population of Georgia. The study analyzed results of the research - which attempted to determine specific risk factors faced by displaced populations, including inadequate housing, lack of economic opportunity, and willingness to migrate. The research attempted to extrapolate trends on IDP vulnerabilities, which might be applied to other displaced populations not only in Georgia but worldwide.