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- 2013 Asia and Africa today
"Asia and Africa today" № 5 2013 |


Top Problem |
WORLD CRISIS: PROBLEMS OF RECOVERY
WILL THE «BRICKS» SURVIVE: INDIA IN BRICS AFTER THE CRISIS by A.V.Akimov, Dr.Sc. (Economy)
Keywords: India, BRICS, Amartya Sen, Human Development Index, «pressure of population on land»
The global financial and economic crisis has been a serious challenge for all the countries of the world, but it had a different impact on the BRICS countries. China and India - the largest economies in the group of developing and transition countries - comparatively easily went through the crisis. This has become a serious claim to world leadership. Moreover, in 2010, China was recognized as the second largest economy in the world after the U.S.A.
HOW THE WORLD HELPS AFRICA TO OVERCOME CRISIS AND TO INCREASE THE RATES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT by A.P.Kovalchuk, PhD (Economy)
Keywords: world financial and economic crisis, African states, official development assistance, monitoring of aid effectiveness
This paper examines influence of financial and economic crisis on development of the African states. The opinion of expert community on impact of world crisis on African economy and the role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) during the period 2008-2011 are analyzed. Aid effectiveness research in 2006-2010 not only showed certain progress of all ODA main operations, but also revealed many unresolved problems.
Policy, Economy |
PROCESSES OF DIFFERENTIATION OF DEVELOPING CUNTIRES: CURRENCY AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS by L.L.Fituni, Dr.Sc. (Economy). Article 2. Part 1
Keywords: global economy, development models, developing countries, BRICS, multipolarity, catch-up theories of development
The article is one of the first attempts to analyze the BRICS phenomenon as a unique case of global leadership in catch-up development and to place it into the framework of existing mainstream theories of global growth and transformation of the existing models of global economic development. It is an analysis of the dialectics of multipolarity and polycentricism of the modern system of international relations and the existing world order.
REVOLT IN THE ARABIAN WORLD: CROPS AND SHOOTS HAS THE «ARAB SPRING» REALY HAPPENED? by N.Z.Fakhrutdinova
Keywords: democratic freedom, Islam, political culture and civil society
The Arabs have a wonderful saying: bush bloomed, but spring has not come. It means that there is something you have long dreamed of and hoped for has not realized. The so-called «Arab Spring», which assumed economic growth and the rise of living standards failed to bring the expected results. To understand this phenomenon one should consider the characteristics of the political culture of the Arabs.
THE ARAB LEAGUE AND THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS by L.M.Isayev
Keywords: the Arab League, «Arab Spring», Syria, Libya, Amr Mohammed Moussa
Since the beginning of the social and political upheaval in the Arab world, the Middle East and North Africa has experienced a series of political transformations. Some countries - Libya and Syria - plunged into a state of civil war, others - Egypt and Yemen - are in a state of permanent political and legal crisis, etc. All this has become a test for the League of Arab States (LAS), one of the oldest international organizations in the world.
ENERGY: PRESENT AND FUTURE RUSSIAN OIL BUSINESS IN IRAQ by E.O.Kasayev
Keywords: Iraq, oil, Russian business, Lukoil Overseas, Gazprom Neft, Bashneft, Rosneft
The article analyzes the status and prospects of the Russian oil companies in Iraq. Considering the existing experience of Lukoil Overseas, Gazprom Neft and Bashneft, as well as future plans of Rosneft, the author comes to conclusion that the strengthening of the current position of Russian business will directly depend on the strategy it will chose. In the pursuit of profitable contracts it is necessary to take into account not only the economic dimension, but also ethno-confessional factors.
INDIAN WOMEN. TRADITIONS AND MODERNITY by E.S.Yurlova, Dr.Sc. (History). Part 2 (Part 1 in «Asia and Africa today», 2013, № 4)
Keywords: India, gender, caste, family, gender asymmetry, female infanticide
Indian experience demonstrates that, in spite of 65 years of independent development, adoption of a number of laws aimed at the emancipation of women, in reality women are still one of the most vulnerable parts of society. Traditional submission about roles and identities of women in the family, in caste and in community promote gender inequality. The caste system is largely based on religious precepts which enshrine inequality between men and women. Through moral and ethical imperative of religion Brahmin priests supported reproduction of the caste system for centuries and through generations, because they saw in it an effective mechanism of power and conservation of inequality. Lately struggle between democratic community and traditionalists on the situation of women deteriorated sharply.
«SEVEN REPUBLICS» OF NIGER by V.R.Filippov, Dr.Sc. (History). Part 1
Keywords: Niger, coup, the Tuareg people, conflict, military regime
On the territory of Niger there is a variety of conglomeration of languages, cultures, religions, ways of life. That’s why this country has never been a harmonious and peaceful one. In the post-colonial period the people of Niger failed to create an effective state.
From Our Staff Correspondent |
ELECTIONS IN GHANA: THE COUNTRY GOT A NEW PRESIDENT by V.P.Nemchenko
Keywords: Ghana, elections, constitution, political parties, John Dramani Mahama
In December 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Ghana. Contrary to the predictions of European and American experts, they were held peacefully without any excesses. Thus, these elections proved that the first president of independent Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah was right when he stated that «the black man is able to manage his own affairs».
Point of View |
FROM SUN TSU TO JOZEPH NYE: INTERNAF TIONAL RELATIONS THEORY WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS by O.A.Arin, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: China, international relations theory, comprehensive national power, «soft power»
After self-destruction of the Soviet Union and the breakup of the bipolar system of international relations, the West theorists intensified efforts aimed at developing new approaches to study the world affairs. The conceptions of old schools are revised, and new are created. From the beginning of 1990’s, China is actively engaged in the process of formation of new theories of international relations, as well. The article discusses the impact of Western theories of international relations on the traditional Chinese outlook on the world in general and on the place and role of China in the world in particular.
Post-Graduate Column |
LANGUAGE PLAY IN ADVERTISING (IN SWAHILI LANGUAGE) by M.O.Dorokhina
Кeywords: advertising, Swahili, language play
The article covers various techniques of language play in advertising in East Africa, analyzes the levels of phonetics, morphology and graphics. The research is based on various advertising texts in Swahili. The main focus is outdoor advertising.
TALES OF BALI: VICTIMS OF PATRIARCHY by M.V.Frolova
Keywords: Indonesia, folklore, Rangda, Calon Arang, modern Indonesian writers
Javanese and Balinese people share belief in a wicked witch named Calon Arang, who is also known as Rangda (literary “the widow”). The malicious female character might originate from once existing prototype, while the historical background has strong connections with the folk tale about black magic Calon Arang used in wrath, causing plague and innumerable victims. The article gives three different literary examples by well-known modern Indonesian writers who exploit creative techniques of the present to transform the ancient image.
THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF RAS CORRESF PONDING MEMBER V.G.SOLODOVNIKOV |
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS by S.I.Kapelush
V.G.Solodovnikov is a well known scholar and diplomat. Particular significant contribution he has made to establishment of the Soviet/Russian African studies. For 12 years V.G.Solodovnikov directed the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), which in the meantime has become a major center for scientific researchers of the African continent. For many years he headed the Soviet Association of Friendship with the Peoples of Africa. In 1970 V.G.Solodovnikov published the book "Africa: the struggle for independence", which was awarded the international "Lion Award" for "best work on Africa, written by non-African". V.G.Solodovnikov is the author of 12 books and over 300 articles in national and foreign periodicals.
Travelings, Meetings, Impresions |
RHODES AND VICINITY by I.I.Filatova, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: South Africa, Durban, Cecil Rhodes, Transkei, Drakensberg Mountains
This is a story about one of the areas lost in the mountains of South Africa, manners and customs of the people who live there. The author speaks of her adventures in South Africa’s outback, its inhabitants, distant and recent past of this area and as well as how it is changing today.