With more in-depth coverage of current political controversies than any other reference guide, 'Political Handbook of the World 2012' is the most authoritative source for finding complete facts and analysis on each country's governmental and political makeup.

Freedom in the World, the Freedom House flagship survey whose findings have been published annually since 1972, is the standard-setting comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties. The survey ratings and narrative reports on 193 countries and a group of select territories are used by policy makers, the media, international corporations, and civic activists and human rights defenders to monitor trends in democracy and track improvements and setbacks in freedom worldwide. Press accounts of the survey findings appear in hundreds of influential newspapers in the United States and abroad and form the basis of numerous radio and television reports. The Freedom in the World political rights and civil liberties ratings are determined through a multi-layered process of research and evaluation by a team of regional analysts and eminent scholars. The analysts used a broad range of sources of information, including foreign and domestic news reports, academic studies, nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, individual professional contacts, and visits to the region, in conducting their research. The methodology of the survey is derived in large measure from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and these standards are applied to all countries and territories, irrespective of geographical location, ethnic or religious composition, or level of economic development.

The African nation of Angola has faced more than its share of conflict, originally colonized by Portugal in the sixteenth century and then embattled by a civil war that began in 1975 and lasted for almost thirty years. Today, Angola is a combination of African and Portuguese culture, and as the second-largest oil producer in Africa, its economy continues to grow. This comprehensive volume takes readers on a trip through the nation of Angola, delving into its history and exploring its modern culture, economy, government, and natural features and wildlife. It includes maps, colorful photographs, and engaging sidebars to guide readers through this fascinating country.

This is the sixteenth volume in an annual series in which leading economists provide a concise and accessible evaluation of major developments in trade and trade policy. Examines key issues pertinent to the multinational trading system, as well as regional trade arrangements and policy developments at the national level Provides up-to-date assessments of the World Trade Organization's current Trade Policy Reviews Analyses trade policy in areas such as Turkey and includes a symposium on China and Africa Contributors also investigate the growth of agricultural protection in Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries. A vital resource for researchers, analysts and policy-advisors interested in trade policy and other open economy issues

Freedom in the World, the Freedom House flagship survey whose findings have been published annually since 1972, is the standard-setting comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties. The survey ratings and narrative reports on 193 countries and a group of select territories are used by policy makers, the media, international corporations, and civic activists and human rights defenders to monitor trends in democracy and track improvements and setbacks in freedom worldwide. Press accounts of the survey findings appear in hundreds of influential newspapers in the United States and abroad and form the basis of numerous radio and television reports. The Freedom in the World political rights and civil liberties ratings are determined through a multi-layered process of research and evaluation by a team of regional analysts and eminent scholars. The analysts used a broad range of sources of information, including foreign and domestic news reports, academic studies, nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, individual professional contacts, and visits to the region, in conducting their research. The methodology of the survey is derived in large measure from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and these standards are applied to all countries and territories, irrespective of geographical location, ethnic or religious composition, or level of economic development.

This book characterizes the existing relationships among Liberia, China and the United States of America as “triangular”. The three countries sampled are known to be democratic states but run different forms of governments- both Liberia and the United States run a Republican form of government, while China runs a socialist system of government. Both United States and China have been chosen for the purpose of this study because they are stable, and are the world’s economic powers. The two countries are actively engaged with African leaders, governments and states. These two states have been selected because they depict and reflect an alteration in governance, resources and economic powers. This book presents an in-depth, insightful analysis of critical issues on the continent and beyond. These issues include Africa in International Relations, the new scramble for the continent’s richer resources, and the core causes of poverty, corruption, bad governance and counter-terrorism in Africa. The deep political “love” towards African governments and states by the two global economic powers in recent time realism argues that it is it that has made the continent the frontline competition for oil, and the two main competitors for Africa are U.S. and China. This study provides a vivid picture of Liberia, U.S. and China’s triangular relations, a detailing of the three countries long standing bilateral and multilateral relationship. It goes further to discuss few African states relations with China and the U.S. Both U.S. and China are the world’s two leading economic powers and are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council with veto and are competing actors on the international stage. In recent time the two countries have been engaged in a trade war;, a situation which is having an adverse effect on global trade. The dissertation, which traces the history of Liberia, U.S. and China’s triangular relations, their engagement in Africa and foreign aid support towards African governments and states, is a unique research and stands as a “milestone”, and “result-oriented”. The book is based on proven scholarly writings. The study attempts to validate existing publications or wide-ranging perceptions about the world’s leading economic powers- China and U.S presence in Africa. The study highlights China and the U.S. presence in Africa and their engagement with African leaders, governments and nations. Chapter one is the general introduction and presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, research focus, objectives, justification, and significance of the entire research. Chapter two traces the history and examines Liberia, U.S. and China engagement and presence in Africa and the impacts of foreign aid in Africa; and chapter three provides the methods employed during the study. These methods include research strategy and design, data collection as well as data analysis, sampling method, structure review and limitations of the study. Chapter four provides a vivid picture of Liberia, U.S. and China’s triangular relations, while chapter five evaluates the successes and challenges of Liberia’s foreign relations, covering the last seven decades from one regime and to the other, from the presidency of ex-president Joseph Jenkins Roberts to present. Chapter Six provides insights of America and China’s foreign aid to Africa and also analyzed U.S. foreign assistance to African governments and states, and compares that to China’s foreign aid assistance to African government. Chapter Seven of the study emphases on the curse of rampant corruption and the scourge of bad governance by African leaders and governments and the role of corrupt African leaders, political bureaucracies, foreign capitalists and authoritarian officials. Chapter Eight assesses the role of contemporary Liberian media and its impact on democratic governance and national development. The work discusses in detail the western media’s perception of Africa and how the global media have been able to dump negative news materials and information. Chapter Nine examines the Liberian political system and democratic governance in the context of the new world order, respect for constitutionalism and looks at the uncompromising role of Liberian women in contemporary politics, and narrates how Liberia became the torch-bearer of democracy in Africa. Chapter Ten sums up the findings of the study, presents the summary and gives my recommendations and offer further opinions about future research. Bibliography and appendixes are treated separately out of these chapters. The book contains 566 pages, 3,123 paragraphs, 202, 916 words and 2, 470, 268 characters both single and double spacing while it contains 9,750 punctuation marks, 855 in-text citations. The research work also contains 590 references and 16,265 lines. The dissertation is organized into three major parts and comprises ten major chapters; it sums up with the findings of the study and gives recommendations.