This review paper offers to the general reader some highlights about one of the most important trade negotiations followed within the Western Hemisphere. Especialised news and other government sources offer to the general public the state of the art of this ambitious negotiation scheme followed by the ATPDEA signatory countries including Colombia and the United States. This review that is more descriptive than analytical shows some highlights of a one thousand pages project of trade agreement that will arise vivid discussion among analyst and businessmen.

English Abstract: FTAs have gained prominence in the trade policy of Latin American countries to the detriment of other forms of economic integration. In this trend there is a predominance of south-north schemes, where all kinds of asymmetries are evident. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the reduction of asymmetries should be a primary goal of the FTAs. The methodology is a review of literature on Latin American FTAs with the United States, particularly those signed by Mexico, Chile and Colombia. As a result, we see that an appropriate treatment of the differences between involved economies is not only desirable for the development of Latin American countries but also it is possible through monetary and industrial policy adjusted to the reality of these countries.Spanish Abstract: Los TLCs han ganado espacios importantes en la política comercial de los países latinoamericanos en detrimento de otras formas de integración económica. En esta tendencia hay preponderancia de los esquemas sur-norte, en donde las asimetrías de todo tipo son evidentes. El objetivo de este artículo es demostrar que la reducción de las asimetrías debería ser un objetivo principal de los TLCs. La metodología es una revisión de literatura sobre TLCs de países latinoamericanos con Estados Unidos, en particular los firmados por México, Chile y Colombia. Como resultado, se observa que un tratamiento apropiado de las diferencias entre las economías no solamente es deseable para el desarrollo de los países latinoamericanos sino que es posible a través de la formulación de políticas monetarias e industriales más ajustadas a la realidad de estos países.Portuguese Abstract: ALCs ganharam política comercial importante em países latino-americanos, em detrimento de outras formas de integração econômica. Nesta tendência, há uma predominância de sul-norte, onde todos os esquemas de tipos de assimetrias são evidentes. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar que a redução das assimetrias deve ser a meta principal dos TLCs. A metodologia é uma revisão da literatura sobre o TLC da América Latina com os Estados Unidos, particularmente aqueles assinados por México, Chile e Colômbia. Como resultado, vemos que um tratamento adequado das diferenças entre as economias, não apenas desejáveis para o desenvolvimento dos países latinoamericanos é possível através da política monetária e industrial ajustado à realidade desses países.

For the first time in the republican history of Peru, the presidential transition takes place in democracy, social peace, fast economic growth and favorable world markets. In other words, there has never been a better chance to build a different Peru - a richer country, more equal and governable. There are multiple ways to achieve that goal. New reforms must stem from a widespread and participatory debate, one of a common vision conceived for and by Peruvians. This book aims at making a technical and independent contribution to such debate; it summarizes the knowledge available about the challenges to be faced by the new administration. The study does not recommend silver bullets, but suggests policy options. It is based on the analysis of the current reality and in six decades of relationships with Peru, in which the Bank has implemented more than 100 projects and prepared more than 500 technical reports covering the wide range of development topics. When necessary, the study provides lessons that the Bank has learned elsewhere. The study provides a conceptual framework to the analysis of the country's 34 economic sectors and the two historical perspectives behind them. In doing so, it offers a comprehensive reform agenda that sheds light on possible priorities and courses of action.

This ADB-Commonwealth Secretariat Joint Report to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat analyzes issues and possibilities for the new Pacific regionalism in the context of the commitment of Pacific Island Forum leaders to create a Pacific Plan for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Integration.

In this timely work, Liu Kang argues that globalization in China is both a historical condition in which the country's gaige kaifang (reform and opening up) has unfolded and a set of values or ideologies by which it and the rest of the globe are judged. Moreover, globalization signals a significant ascendancy of culture. Liu examines China's current ideological struggles in political discourse, intellectual debate, popular culture, avant-garde literature, the news media, and the internet. With careful textual analysis and observation informed by critical theories and cultural studies, he offers a forceful critique of the Chinese version of globalism that privileges economic development at the expense of social justice and equality.

Analyzes informality in Latin America, exploring root causes and reasons for and implications of its growth. This book uses two distinct but complementary lenses. It concludes that reducing informality levels and overcoming the "culture of informality" will require actions to increase aggregate productivity in the economy.

As the world's most dynamic region, Asia embodies explosive economic growth, diverse political systems, vibrant societies, modernizing militaries, cutting-edge technologies, rich cultural traditions amid globalization, and strategic competition among major powers. As a result, international relations in Asia are evolving rapidly. In this fully updated and expanded volume, leading scholars from Asia, Europe, and North America offer the most current and definitive analysis available of Asia's regional relationships. They set developments in Asia in theoretical context, assess the role of leading external and regional powers, and consider the importance of subregional actors and linkages. Combining interpretive richness and factual depth, their essays provide an authoritative and stimulating overview. Students of contemporary Asian affairs—new to the field and old hands alike—will find this book an invaluable read. Contributions by: Amitav Acharya, Sebastian Bersick, Nayan Chanda, Ralph A. Cossa, Michael Green, Samuel S. Kim, Edward J. Lincoln, Martha Brill Olcott, T.V. Paul, Phillip C. Saunders, David Shambaugh, Sheldon W. Simon, Scott Snyder, Robert Sutter, Hugh White, and Michael Yahuda