Emma Pomeranz

Bagley
Intern Mentor GT
December 9 2016
Annotated Source List
"Best New Research from across the World Bank Tackles Unemployment, Energy, and
Competitiveness." The World Bank, 16 June 2016, www.worldbank.org/en/news/
feature/2016/06/16/best-new-research-across-world-bank. Accessed 27 Oct.
2016.
The article discussed the World Bank's recent call for papers based on current economic
issues. They reviewed all of the essays and released their favorite three, the ones to which they
believe hold the most pressing issues of 2016. The top three papers are about youth
unemployment, effective energy use, and global competitiveness in markets. The essay on youth
unemployment addressed the high unemployment rates in Jordan. Many youths are graduating
from university with 4 year degrees, but very few are employed for long after graduation. Often
times they believe the wages are low or they deserve a higher level job due to their recently
earned degree. The solution suggested attempting to alter social norms to encourage youth
employment. The second essay pertained to the prediction of how growth in energy use in the
years to come will be seen mostly in developing countries, rather than in the rising middle class
as per usual. They are saying that it is not as easy as it seems to maintain household appliances
nowadays, and many people will choose not to invest in them to save money. The final paper
concluded that Brazil needs to increase its competitiveness in small and medium sized
enterprises. In order to increase productivity in a weak economy, businesses have to be
encouraged to maximize profit against other competitors.
From this article, I was able to see what improvements the World Bank believes should
be made in modern global markets. These three issues are pressing enough that the World Bank
is encouraging their consideration as global projects. Looking at what the World Bank is
prioritizing will help me get a better perspective of what kinds of projects I should research for
my course syllabus. I enjoyed reading the economic papers and plan to look further in the topics
surrounding them. Overall, this will be a useful tool for my research project.
"Funds, Programmes, Specialized Agencies and Others." United Nations,
http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/funds-programmes-specialized-agencies-andothers/index.html Accessed 27 Oct. 2016.
This web page is full of links to all the programs that fund the United Nations as well as
contribute to maintaining policy suggestions from the United Nations. Each link is provided with
a description of the organization and what branch of the United Nations it works with. It also
included information on special agencies that worked with the UN but were not necessarily a
part of the organization. I read through all of the summaries and visited the web pages of the
other organizations to begin organizing a basic layout of the functions of the UN. It told me what
were the largest funders of the UN and lead me to find what other organizations they funded. I
was also able to find other organizations that I need to research from this page.

This web page will be useful to me because I have to come up with a course layout based
on international organizations. It will be a good starting point for me to review all the branches
of different organizations and what parts of them are important to review. I like how easy it was
to find all the information I needed and its relevance. I will continue to use this as a reference
point as I begin to develop my final project. Dr. Hody requested that I research all the
organizations I can find and narrow them down to ones that young adults would find particularly
important or interesting.
Gindlig, Tim. Economics Professor at UMBC.
Dr. Tim Gindlig is Graduate Professor of Economics and the director of the Economics
Graduate Program. He earned his PhD at Cornell in Economics. He is currently a Research
Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Labor in Bonn, Germany. He is also a visiting research at
the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Economicas at the University of Costa Rica. His
research focus is on Economic Development. I am going to speak with my mentor about possibly
meeting with him to discuss ideas for my research paper. He has published many papers on
different factors that affect economic development as well as economic policy. His papers on the
role of wages and human capital in markets have intriguing and well developed points that I hope
to use in my research efforts.
Hody, Cynthia. Political Economy Professor at UMBC.
Dr. Cynthia Hody is an Associate Professor of Political Economy and International
Relations at UMBC, as well as a department chair in the Political Science Department. She
earned her PhD at UCLA in Political Science and Government. She has been a professor at
UMBC for over 32 years. Hody wrote a book called The Politics of Trade: American Political
Development and Foreign Economic Policy and also co-authored a book with Carol BarnerBarry called the The Politics of Change: The Transformation of the Former Soviet Union. With
her as my mentor, I will be able to attend both her and her colleagues classes at UMBC as part of
the Intern Mentor Program.
"How the Other Tenth Lives." The Economist, 8 Oct. 2016.
This article discusses importance of global poverty in comparison to what others consider
important, including oil prices and America's GDP. While all issues of global economics bear
some importance, the World Bank's goal of ending poverty will aid the world in becoming a
more proactive global system. 767 million people live on $1.90 or less a day. This is enough to
afford 2 small meals a day and have only 28% of your income left for other goods and, and only
in the poorest countries. While countries like India and China have shown immense decline in
poverty levels, 767 million is still an incredibly high number. A healthier population who is able
to work more efficiently and have access to public education will be able to further contribute to
society, only improving our earth in the long run. The World
Bank predicts that it would only take a redistribution of 0.1% of the world's GDP a year to end
poverty, but how can they make that happen? Redistribution of wealth is a tricky subject
especially when it comes to exchange rates and trade. The goals of the World Bank are upheld
with good intentions, but as of now, are only being moved towards at a slow pace.

This article gave me a better perspective of how much of the world is affected by poverty,
and what we can do as a nation to help. America brings in large amounts of revenue, some that
can be redistributed through the form of grants and loans to other nations. Realizing how
impoverished some the world is, and how fast poverty is declining in India and China, gave me
possible ideas to look into for research topics. I am particularly interested in looking into
domestic economic policy in India after reading how successful they were in helping 218 million
people out of poverty in nine years. It was not a very in-depth article, but it was a good source of
background information.
Ikenberry, G. John. Liberal Leviathan. Princeton, NJ, Princeton University
Press, 2011.
Liberal Leviathan is a description of the history of U.S. Foreign Policy and international
order. It is meant to handle politics with the same intention as Thomas Hobbes, author of The
Leviathan, but with a more liberal approach. The book starts out with Americas place as equal to
several other countries at the beginning of the 20th century and ends with America as the worlds
top super power. Ikenberry begins with history and then moves on to why things have changed,
and what are the consequences of change brought on by world order. It seems as though
Ikenberry has a very liberal view of the past, explaining that much has changed and America has
only continued its fight towards a strong liberal democracy. We are a liberal democracy in name,
but not always in actions. An important concept introduced was unipolarity, or the idea of one
country being on top. Unipolarity implies that one sovereign nation is ranked entirely above the
others. The concept was almost unheard of until the end of the 20th century, but it has always
been used in theory. The theory always implied that unipolarity had its consequences. According
to Ikenberry, the US gained this top spot by focusing on theory introduced by Thomas Hobbes in
Leviathan. With consent of the governed and citizens in competition to maximize profit from
economic expansion, the United States has been thriving as a sovereign nation for the last few
decades. Ranking number one in the world order can lead to bitterness and resentment from other
nations, but America has so far used its power to aid in promoting international peace and
prosperity. The success brought by Americans who have worked hard to put America as the top
spot have also paved the path for America to help developing nations increase their world order
and stand on their own in foreign policy. Now, the US is attempting to aid developing nations,
along with other superpowers, in improving their global presence. In some ways it is a
competition, but also, it is necessary if we want to ensure the consistency of a successful global
market. Post millennium, Ikenberry mentioned the fact that the Bush administrations handling of
9/11 ended in a spectacular failure. Momentarily, the United States lost its place in the world
order, with an administration that was such a menace to the concept of globalization. He claims
the fact that the Obama administration, as controversial as it has been, has successfully returned
America to its spot as top dog in the world order.
The book is an interesting read, and definitely one to which I should reference when
continuing my research. It gave me a different perspective on the United States place in global
politics, as I only have a very limited view of our role. We are one of, if not the most, powerful
nations in the world, yet we did not start out that way. When researching global economics and
how to improve developing nations, it is important to look at the steps developed countries took
in making themselves successful. While it is largely a historical book, it also talks about the
prediction of power of world order in the future. Will the US stay number one? What will make

us lose our place? Ikenberry insists that the future could lead to anything, but most importantly,
an end to the world order. Nations who remain on top now could very well be in shambles within
the next decade, so a country should not rely too much on its place in world order. This goes
back to the concept of globalization that I previously researched. This also means that powerful
countries should be getting on good terms with up and coming nations, even aiding them on their
journey to success. I can use the positives of globalization to compare it to the negatives
promoted by international liberalism. Additionally, I plan to do research on the importance of
international organizations and this book has a solid description of their roles throughout history
and how they came to be. I can refer to Ikenberry in future work to give credibility to the fact
that the countries who rule now can very well lose their power in the upcoming decades due to
certain factors of liberal economics. This book was assigned to me by my mentor because her
Market Systems class was reading it, but I had yet to decide on a final project while reading it. It
was an intriguing topic, but not specifically related to the topic I plan to research, so I will have
to use it as much as I can.
"The IMF at a Glance." International Monetary Fund,
http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/glance.htm. Accessed 27 Oct. 2016.
This webpage had a summary of the IMFs basic responsibilities and how they are carried
out. The IMF promotes economic stability and cooperation among its 189 member countries. The
tasks carried out by the Fund are an essential part of a smooth running global market. Often
compared to the World Bank, the IMF has similar goals of reducing poverty and aiding
developing nations. The sheet lays out the IMFs functions to give a broad explanation of what
the organization continues to achieve. Their policies are implemented and maintained through
systems of surveillance and financial assistance as well as SDRs, or Special Drawing Rights.
SDRs allow the IMF to supplement the reserves of a particular nation in order to give it financial
assistance. Each member country must pay a quota yearly: the larger the quota, the larger the
countrys vote on policy implementation. The US currently holds the largest vote at a whopping
17%.
I chose to use this webpage as a source to begin research on each global organization I
choose to introduce. This specific file, along with the other files on the webpage, is a good
starting point to compare the IMF to other global organizations with similar goals and
responsibilities. I will continue to use the IMF website as a source for information, but I
particularly liked this page because it was perfect for background information.
Lindblom, Charles E. The Market System. New Haven, CT, Yale University Press,
2001.
The Market System is a book full of what ifs. Its main concept is what it means to be
free in the market and how easy it is to gain or lose the freedom you are born with. The ideas of
free market and free enterprise, when looked at introspectively, are only free in name. Lindblom
exercises the right of free speech in pointing out that, you are free to do as you wish, but rarely
without consequences. In a free market, you can choose not to work, but you also must learn to
accept the fact that you will be given less freedom in the form of financing. This leads
entrepreneurs and tycoons to gain a disproportionate share of power within the system. Money
gives people the freedom to live as they wish, but also the ability to have control of your share of

the market. Lindblom points out that at one time, JD Rockefeller held control of 10% of
Americas total GDP. While the GDP was much lower at that point in time, and we allowed
monopolies, it was still incredible. The fact that one person could control such a large portion of
the market is what made the government create such strict price controls in order to prevent these
occurrences. If the skills you have allow you to operate a corporation of maximum efficiency, the
market will reward you. If unsuccessful, the market will discipline you with the lack of profit.
Lindblom emphasizes how much profit can interfere with the freedom of man. For example, stay
at home parents have the freedom to do just that, but when they attempt to return to work, the
profit they gained from staying home with their kids has very little bearing to employers. This
leads to a disproportionate amount of money in social security, and thus a harder time for most
couples to retire. The previous fact only enforces the idea introduced by Lindblom that it is
incredibly hard to escape the market. Every life choice you make will face some sort of
repercussion within the market. In America, we are told we have more freedom than most,
including the freedom to choose whether or not you want to work. This is not the case. It is
almost impossible to survive without involving yourself in the market, which only enforces the
controls the government places on its citizens. Very few people are able to escape the economic
process, Lindblom points out that that small number includes prisoners. Essentially, being
removed from the market is a large punishment because the benefits brought by embracing the
market with its flaws, largely outweigh the negatives. Those who abuse their freedom are often
left with no freedom at all. The very 21st century American ideal could not have been better
explained in a book.
Lindblom then proceeds to talk about politics place in the system. Cant the government
have a say in how well the market does? In theory, yes. The government can set price floors and
ceilings to ensure that the disparity of profit is not too great, yet it is not always successful. I
considered this factor greatly when reading the book. In international affairs, very little do people
have the freedom to do as they please, and rarely without consequences. People all over the
world struggle with entering and exiting the market. Many people are stuck in a certain
socioeconomic class with very little opportunity for upward mobility, and the global market is
not currently doing anything to help that. It is difficult for those in small businesses, agriculture,
or factory work, to ever improve their career without serious punishments caused by the market.
I can refer back to Lindblom when reviewing the microeconomics within a nation or corporation,
but once again it is not entirely specific to the topic I am researching. It was an assigned reading
by my mentor for her Market Systems class which I attend every Thursday. I enjoyed reading it
even though it will not be incredibly essential to my research. It is important to consider the
effects of the market on global politics because it plays an essential role in all foreign relations.
Developing nations with weak markets need to find ways to build a stronger global presence for
themselves. It also gave me good background information on certain aspects of microeconomics,
specifically different market structures and how they play out in real scenarios. I enjoyed reading
it, but for future research I will choose books more specific to international affairs and
macroeconomics.
Mauro, Paolo, and Jan Zilinsky. "Reducing Government Debt Ratios in an Era of
Low Growth." Peterson Institute for International Economics Journal, July
2016. Accessed 27 Oct. 2016.
Economies all over the world are struggling to increase growth after the 2008 collapse.

Ratios of deficit to GDP are not where they should be, even after almost a decade. Rebuilding an
economy takes time, especially one that is not as advanced as the United States. The article
discussed possible suggestions as to how countries should lower their debt ratios in order to
improve growth. Gradually adjusting spending to work towards a surplus rather than a deficit is
the first step. Savings must be built over time, and expenditure cuts are the only way to ensure
they will be.
The article is much more math focused than some of the other ones I have been reading
which I like. It is important to look at economic research involving math rather than solely based
on behavioral science. Utilizing formulas and graphs ensures that explicit evidence can be given
to support a conclusion drawn within the article. I liked this article particularly because it
focused on how countries globally should be working together to create a stronger global
economy, while also fixing their own nations.
Murray, Tim. "Canada Should Tie Foreign Aid to Reduction in Population Growth." Population
Growth, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2009, pp. 133-138. Global
Viewpoints. Gale Virtual Reference Library, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GVRL&sw=w&u=elli29753&v=2.1&id=GALE
%7CCX1333500028&it=r&asid=1372bfaab1bfbba86d11e56b890456d1. Accessed 27
Oct. 2016.
Canada has been facing a decline in population growth for the past few decades. Murray
believes that this problem is linked to the amount of foreign aid Canada gives to developing
African nations. Canadian leaders think that providing countries with aid will give them more of
a voice in global organizations, yet that never prevails. Multiple countries, including Tanzania
and Zimbabwe, attempted to tell Canada that they did not want their help, despite receiving it
anyway. In 2007, Canada spent $575 billion on sub-Sahara African aid, yet none of the countries
they provided aid to showed significant growth and Canada showed decline. The amount of
taxpayers money being spent on charitable donations to developing nations is at an all-time
high, and domestic growth is at an all-time low. Canada has to cut back on its spending or learn
to improve economic growth in another way because as of now, the country is declining.
This article was something that I found while looking at UMBC and decided to use for
my sources, even though it is not specifically relating to my topic. I liked how it showed that
countries helping each other, not all intentions are pure. Canada cannot afford to aid African
countries, yet it does anyway in hopes of gaining more power globally. It is interesting to see
how globalization can hurt countries when people often think it strengthens bonds between
borders.
Siddiquee, Baker A. "Globalization." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2016. Web. 28 Oct.
2016.
Globalization is an essential part of understanding foreign policy. Some nations and
organizations support globalization, or connecting nations across international borders through
economy, culture, and society, while others are a fan of isolationism. Globalization has been a
concept for a long time, but in the past few centuries, debate has sprung up over whether or not it
is helping or hurting our global economy. Some think that it hurts developing nations because
powerful nations will be able to manipulate the will of the less developed countries.

Globalizations goal is to ensure equality and stability, but it is possible that it could work out in
the opposite way: further dividing nations. Free trade and multinational organizations have lent
themselves to globalization in the past few decades, improving our global GDP.
I found this article on a UMBC database and decided to use it. It is slightly broad and
some of the information I am already familiar with, but it is important to know. I am going to
continue to use this as a reference when looking at economic policy to debate whether or not it is
aiding or hurting globalization. I think it is important to use information like this when
researching in more specific fields to make sure that you understand all of the concepts
mentioned in your research.
World Economics Association, 2016, www.worldeconomicsassociation.org. Accessed 9 Oct.
2016.
The World Economics Association aims to increase the relevance, breadth, and depth of
economic thought. They have a large number of representatives from most countries in the
world. The members are expected to carry out the lengthy mission statement of the association,
including things like establishing plurality and an ethical global conduct. With the growing gap
between superpowers and small developing nations, the WEA wants to increase the awareness of
economic issues to keep the gap from growing even further. They have many ways to get
involved in the association that they talk about on the website, including creating your own
national chapter. The website provides information relating to current events, history, and access
to research forums. The eBook library and journals page provide hundreds of reliable sources
relating to various fields of economic thought. The economic thought section of the journal page
has tons of volumes purely on different economic theories. The best part about the web page is a
page called Textbook Commentaries. The association has created a project to provide alternate
perspectives and opinions on common economics textbooks. It covers all aspects of economics
including data measurement, growth, institutions, market structures, and even how economics
contributes to society. It also has a section on methods of analysis that can aid researchers in
developing their own opinions on the texts provided. In addition, there is a section on networks
which includes links to student and professional networks of information. There are other
associations it works with that I can also use for my research. The other pages of the website are
more menial, but I may still use them to find contacts and possible conferences I can attend to
present my research. The conferences section has lots of information on how to discuss this
information with other students and members who have similar interests to me, and it also has
ways that I can gain access to information discussed at previous conferences.
Overall, I really liked this website and think it will be very helpful towards my future
endeavors. The information presented is over a broad range of issues and is very in depth. I will
be able to find multiple sources on any given topic just from this website alone, written by
renowned authors on economic theory. The eBook and journal pages will be useful for me if I
need to find reliable sources for my research. The economic thought section will be helpful to
research because it is information on economic theory that can be applied to new situations,
rather than current or historical events. A hard part of the project will be using sources to create
an argument with my own beliefs that I will be able to support with reliable information. I will
definitely look at the textbook commentaries page for my synthesis paper as it will help me find
good sources for arguments on both sides of certain economic theories and institutions. The page
on methods of analysis will be super helpful as I am starting to form my own opinions on the

sources I research. Some economic issues are difficult to understand and form an accurate
opinion on. As I do not have an economics degree, I feel like this website will be able to prepare
me very well in making an educated assertion for my synthesis paper as well as my final project.
The breadth of information on the website is incredible. Almost anything I searched for, I was
able to find multiple arguments on. The website is also regularly updated, which means it will be
easy for me to use to connect my research to current events. Connecting research to current
events is important because it makes the audience for your project more willing to listen. Many
times students and parents are uninterested in a project because they assume that it does not
pertain to them. I hope to use this information to create an enticing project that will make
people care about the growing gap between developed and developing countries. Since my
research question is still not clearly defined, this website will be one of the largest sources of
information I use to complete my research. I plan to come back to this website for future research
questions.