Scott B. MacDonald – författare

With the fall of its centuries-old empire in 1974-1975, Portugal embarked on a transitional period that reconciled a long tradition of acting out national interests overseas with the need to integrate itself into Western Europe. The result has been a deemphasis on various Atlantic and colonial linkages and the forging of a new and highly successful European identity within the framework of the European Community. In European Destiny, Atlantic Transformations Scott B. MacDonald offers a comprehensive analysis of Portugal''s foreign policy and its highly successful venture in economic and political transformation. Although Portugal is firm in its commitment to a European destiny, it has not turned its back on relations with the United States and its former colonies hi Africa and Asia. MacDonald traces the evolution of U.S.-Portuguese cooperation along economic, cultural, and military lines and shows how NATO has played a pivotal role in the process. This was most recently underscored when the U.S. made extensive use of the Azores during the Gulf War against Iraq. Likewise, in its ties with the Lusophone countries formerly under its control - Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, S - o Tom" and Princip" - Portugal has sought to improve political relations and act as a peacemaker in regional conflicts such as those in East Timor, Angola, and Mozambique. The scope of MacDonald''s work takes in issues posed to Portugal by new foreign policy concerns that range from the breakup of the Soviet Union to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in North Africa and the Middle East. He points out that in a world of rapidly shifting political and economic alignments, Portugal provides a representative model of a relatively small nation that has undergone successful economic reform while deepening its commitment to its new democratic system. As such, the Portuguese model is instructive for newly emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and Latin America. European Destiny, Atlantic Transformations is an important addition to the literature on post-Cold War politics. It will be read by historians, economists, and foreign policy specialists.

With the fall of its centuries-old empire in 1974-1975, Portugal embarked on a transitional period that reconciled a long tradition of acting out national interests overseas with the need to integrate itself into Western Europe. The result has been a deemphasis on various Atlantic and colonial linkages and the forging of a new and highly successful European identity within the framework of the European Community. In European Destiny, Atlantic Transformations Scott B. MacDonald offers a comprehensive analysis of Portugal''s foreign policy and its highly successful venture in economic and political transformation. Although Portugal is firm in its commitment to a European destiny, it has not turned its back on relations with the United States and its former colonies hi Africa and Asia. MacDonald traces the evolution of U.S.-Portuguese cooperation along economic, cultural, and military lines and shows how NATO has played a pivotal role in the process. This was most recently underscored when the U.S. made extensive use of the Azores during the Gulf War against Iraq. Likewise, in its ties with the Lusophone countries formerly under its control - Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, S - o Tom" and Princip" - Portugal has sought to improve political relations and act as a peacemaker in regional conflicts such as those in East Timor, Angola, and Mozambique. The scope of MacDonald''s work takes in issues posed to Portugal by new foreign policy concerns that range from the breakup of the Soviet Union to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in North Africa and the Middle East. He points out that in a world of rapidly shifting political and economic alignments, Portugal provides a representative model of a relatively small nation that has undergone successful economic reform while deepening its commitment to its new democratic system. As such, the Portuguese model is instructive for newly emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and Latin America. European Destiny, Atlantic Transformations is an important addition to the literature on post-Cold War politics. It will be read by historians, economists, and foreign policy specialists.

Latin America is developing rapidly. As the authors see the region, a small group of countries has found a fast-forward button. In these countries change is exciting, occurring at such a rapid pace that a major breakthrough hi economic growth appears within grasp. After an almost decade-long period of recession and stagnation, many Latin American economies now have elected governments. With a few exceptions, most have also improved their socioeconomic conditions beyond meeting basic human needs. Yet few North Americans or Europeans are aware of these advances. How does Latin America fit into the changing world in the 1990s, and why should someone living in the United States, Europe, or developed parts of the Pacific Basin care?

Fast Forward shows that Latin America''s economic renaissance clearly has implications for a post-Cold War world order. Latin America is starting to make important contributions, particularly in the areas of international diplomacy, economics, and culture. Collectively, Latin Americans now demonstrate a coherent collective will about where they wish to take themselves. This does not mean that U.S. influence in the Americas will soon disappear, but that new challenges in the international system will force greater equity in Western Hemisphere relationships.

While Latin America in the 1990s offers much to be excited about, the authors caution that there are dangers in being too enthusiastic. The always-present potential for top-down authoritarian approaches must temper enthusiasm about a better Latin American future. Despite this, the authors see a well-defined departure from past economic modes occurring and the potential for a higher level of development for some countries. This book is for economists, sociologists, and political scientists interested in economic and political development, and researchers interested in Latin America in particular.

Latin America is developing rapidly. As the authors see the region, a small group of countries has found a fast-forward button. In these countries change is exciting, occurring at such a rapid pace that a major breakthrough hi economic growth appears within grasp. After an almost decade-long period of recession and stagnation, many Latin American economies now have elected governments. With a few exceptions, most have also improved their socioeconomic conditions beyond meeting basic human needs. Yet few North Americans or Europeans are aware of these advances. How does Latin America fit into the changing world in the 1990s, and why should someone living in the United States, Europe, or developed parts of the Pacific Basin care?

Fast Forward shows that Latin America''s economic renaissance clearly has implications for a post-Cold War world order. Latin America is starting to make important contributions, particularly in the areas of international diplomacy, economics, and culture. Collectively, Latin Americans now demonstrate a coherent collective will about where they wish to take themselves. This does not mean that U.S. influence in the Americas will soon disappear, but that new challenges in the international system will force greater equity in Western Hemisphere relationships.

While Latin America in the 1990s offers much to be excited about, the authors caution that there are dangers in being too enthusiastic. The always-present potential for top-down authoritarian approaches must temper enthusiasm about a better Latin American future. Despite this, the authors see a well-defined departure from past economic modes occurring and the potential for a higher level of development for some countries. This book is for economists, sociologists, and political scientists interested in economic and political development, and researchers interested in Latin America in particular.

The public is fascinated with financial crashes. Historians portray the roar of an angry mob toppling presidents or prime ministers and destroying the property of those who are regarded as malefactors. And certainly, financial crisis is often a factor in political change. It is often overlooked, but nonetheless significant that one of the major causes for the French Revolution was the poor state of finances, with the nation coming to bankruptcy.

Large systemic financial crises create history. Various actors, big and small, become caught in the drama, contributing to it in their own special way. When Small Countries Crash seeks to capture some of the drama of financial collapses and their impact on small countries, which the authors define as populations under 10 million, generally 5-6 million. MacDonald and Novo have selected countries that have had a financial crisis in the national economy; that included key actors; and where access to reliable data is available.

As the authors demonstrate, the story of small countries suffering the costs of financial missteps is long and painful. They argue that smaller economies tend to be more vulnerable to economic shocks, many of which are externally generated. Small economies confront particular challenges in terms of economies of scale, diversification, and depth of expertise and workforce. The chapters in this absorbing book focus on Iceland, Latvia, Ireland, the Caribbean, Scotland, Finland, and Albania. This in-depth study is unique in its close look at financial disasters in countries that have, until now, been overlooked.

The public is fascinated with financial crashes. Historians portray the roar of an angry mob toppling presidents or prime ministers and destroying the property of those who are regarded as malefactors. And certainly, financial crisis is often a factor in political change. It is often overlooked, but nonetheless significant that one of the major causes for the French Revolution was the poor state of finances, with the nation coming to bankruptcy.

Large systemic financial crises create history. Various actors, big and small, become caught in the drama, contributing to it in their own special way. When Small Countries Crash seeks to capture some of the drama of financial collapses and their impact on small countries, which the authors define as populations under 10 million, generally 5-6 million. MacDonald and Novo have selected countries that have had a financial crisis in the national economy; that included key actors; and where access to reliable data is available.

As the authors demonstrate, the story of small countries suffering the costs of financial missteps is long and painful. They argue that smaller economies tend to be more vulnerable to economic shocks, many of which are externally generated. Small economies confront particular challenges in terms of economies of scale, diversification, and depth of expertise and workforce. The chapters in this absorbing book focus on Iceland, Latvia, Ireland, the Caribbean, Scotland, Finland, and Albania. This in-depth study is unique in its close look at financial disasters in countries that have, until now, been overlooked.

What do Michael Milken and Martha Stewart have in common? What was the most outrageous party thrown by a financial baron of the twentieth century? Which US war hero president became party to, and victim of, an unabashed con man known as the Napoleon of Wall Street?

These questions and more are discussed in Separating Fools from Their Money. The authors trace the history of financial scandals beginning with young republic days through the Enron/WorldCom debacle of modern times. Informative and entertaining, this book reveals human nature in all of its dubious shades of grey. It also exposes themes common to all financial scandals, which remain astonishingly unchanged over time greed, hubris, media connections, self-interested politicians, and booms-gone-bust, to name a few.

This second edition features a new preface and introduction, plus three new chapters, which address the financial panic of 2008, post-panic scandals, and the "princes of Ponzi." This book''s accessible writing will interest the casual business reader as well as the seasoned investor.

What do Michael Milken and Martha Stewart have in common? What was the most outrageous party thrown by a financial baron of the twentieth century? Which US war hero president became party to, and victim of, an unabashed con man known as the Napoleon of Wall Street?

These questions and more are discussed in Separating Fools from Their Money. The authors trace the history of financial scandals beginning with young republic days through the Enron/WorldCom debacle of modern times. Informative and entertaining, this book reveals human nature in all of its dubious shades of grey. It also exposes themes common to all financial scandals, which remain astonishingly unchanged over time greed, hubris, media connections, self-interested politicians, and booms-gone-bust, to name a few.

This second edition features a new preface and introduction, plus three new chapters, which address the financial panic of 2008, post-panic scandals, and the "princes of Ponzi." This book''s accessible writing will interest the casual business reader as well as the seasoned investor.