This past Tuesday, President Bush signed into law the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), but only after a rather protracted period of difficult and contentious debate in Congress. After signing the bill, Bush remarked that the agreement would defend against “forces that oppose democracy, seek to limit economic freedom and want to drive a wedge between the United States and the rest of...

There has been great hand wringing over the nature of personal debt in recent years, and some commentators have made it seem as if this recent trouble was without historical precedent. This engaging exhibit from the Harvard Business School's Baker Library draws on their historical materials "to show how previous generations devised creative ways of lending and borrowing long before credit cards."...

Now the Canadian penny's days are numbered, is the nickel next? http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/29/now-the-canadian-pennys-days-are-numbered-is-the-nickel-next/ Canadian penny to join ranks of shinplasters, half-crowns http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1154368--canadian-penny-to-join-ranks-of-shinplasters-half-crowns So long, Canadian penny. I won't miss...

A number of research institutes are concerned with issues of social and economic justice, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is perhaps one of the best known institutes working in these fields of endeavor. Founded in 1980, the Centre works "to enrich democratic dialogue and ensure Canadians know there are workable solutions to the issues we face." A good place to start...

As concerns grow about assisting countries in the developing world in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable, it should not surprise Scout Report readers that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is Canada's federal agency that is charged with coordinating Canada's efforts to reduce poverty and "to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world." First-time...

The Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, was created in 1973 as a way to bring together the English-speaking nations of the Caribbean in order to work towards a set of common goals. Their website allows visitors to learn about some of these common social and economic goals, and to learn more about the countries that are members of the organization. First-time visitors can click on the "Community" tab...

Based at the University of Alabama, the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) works on crafting key policy updates and research briefs to provide information about business in the state. On the homepage, visitors will find sections that include News, Research Briefs, Publications, and Economic Forecasting. The Research Briefs cover timely reports like "Alabama: Rural or Urban? 'It...

How is the Internet organized? Is it a democracy? Or is it increasingly controlled by large media corporations bent on limiting what people can do or see on various websites? These are valid questions, and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) is intimately involved with such matters. Founded in 2001, the CDD has worked on developing the campaign for an open broadband Internet, along with leading...

A number of think-tanks and related organizations have sprung up in recent years with the intent of researching various development initiatives around the world. Founded in 2001, the Center for Global Development is just such an organization, and they are primarily concerned with offering “….practical, creative solutions to the challenges that global interdependence poses to the developing...

Established in 1998 by the Harvard Institute for International Development and the Kennedy School of Government, the Center for International Development (CID) is Harvard's primary center for research on sustainable international development. The CID is currently headed by Professor Dani Rodrik, who provides oversight and direction for the Center. On the site, visitors can learn about upcoming...